POTENTIAL SPENCE SUCCESSOR WILL FIGHT SPECTRUM RELOCATION PLAN
Although it’s unknown who will lead House Armed Services Procurement Subcommittee following last week’s death of Chmn. Spence (R-S.C.), one likely successor intends to fight any attempt to transfer military spectrum to private sector. Rep. Hansen (R- Utah), senior majority member of procurement panel, will do battle with proponents of mandatory relocation of 1775-1850 MHz block of spectrum, staffer said: “Absent some new and compelling information, he would be opposed to having the military relinquish” that spectrum block.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
Wireless industry is pushing for relocating military from 1775-1850 MHz, which has been identified as being most suitable for 3rd generation wireless deployment. Congressional supporters of transition, such as Rep. Pickering (R-Miss.), have proposed making relocation contingent upon financial reimbursement to Dept. of Defense (DoD).
However, Hansen aide rejected current “back-of-the-napkin” estimates for financial compensation to Pentagon. Relocation supporters have suggested various multibillion-dollar estimates for changing military satellite frequencies while ignoring other considerations: “It’s not as simple as taking one chip and replacing it with another.” In addition to investing sufficient time to relocate spectrum from 1775-1850 MHz, subsequent certification, testing and revision of relevant military doctrine must be carried out. While industry would prefer using that spectrum for 3G services, military depends on that block for mission-critical applications such as targeting of “smart” weapons, he said: “The folks saying that the DoD can make money from re-auctioning this spectrum invariably want that spectrum.” overall “cost” will be “several orders of magnitude higher” than what has been discussed thus far, he said.
Staffer said Hansen hadn’t addressed issue of subcommittee chairmanship. “He’s saddened by the loss of one of his best friends in Congress,” staffer said, and hasn’t discussed matter with full committee Chmn. Stump (R-Ariz.), who is responsible for designating new subcommittee leader. House rules will weigh heavily on decision, since Hansen already is chmn. of Armed Services Resources Subcommittee. Another congressional staffer said it wasn’t impossible that Hansen could serve in both leadership posts, but that would require waiver of rules.