REVAMPED 3G PLAN TAKING SHAPE THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE DoD
Govt. analysis of how to obtain additional spectrum for 3rd generation wireless services appears to be veering -- for now -- away from entire 1755-1850 MHz band occupied by Defense Dept. systems, several sources said. Part of what is driving renewed interest in searching more intensely for 3G spectrum elsewhere is Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that have made it easier for DoD to fend off efforts to relocate its systems, sources said. But industry observers indicated that even before attacks, momentum was building for looking at other bands, with recent FCC order removing MMDS systems from relocation consideration for 3G providing increased impetus. One govt. official said interagency talks had yielded no final decision and situation still was fluid. Agency and industry officials involved in talks have been eyeing out-of-band pairing option that would involve 1710 to around 1770 or 1780 MHz and 2110 up to 2180 MHz. Announcement by Bush Administration on revamped 3G plan is expected as early as this week, although details still are being worked out and await final approvals at top govt. levels.
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All of bands now receiving higher scrutiny for 3G already have been under consideration to some degree for advanced wireless services. In last year, however, 2 bands have received most attention: 2.5 GHz occupied by MMDS and Instructional TV Fixed Service (ITFS) licensees and 1755-1850 MHz used mostly by military, with wireless industry favoring latter. FCC released order last week that added mobile allocation to 2500-2690 MHz and spared incumbent MMDS and ITFS licensees from relocation threat posed by 3G (CD Sept 25 p1). Several sources indicated, however, that for now, bulk of 1755-1850 MHz band didn’t appear to be under consideration for new 3G plan. That doesn’t mean that spectrum above 1770 or 1780 MHz occupied by DoD is out of consideration for 3G indefinitely and could be considered down the road, one industry source said. Spectrum combinations that are taking shape in new plan have been of “interest to DoD from the beginning” and surfaced in Pentagon input on govt.’s interim and final 3G reports, another industry source said. “In this environment, DoD’s views are likely to have a higher priority than might have been the case a couple of weeks ago,” source said.
Of bands now receiving closer scrutiny in updated plan, FCC already has reallocated 1710-1755 MHz from govt. to nongovt. uses in notice of proposed rulemaking last Nov. that would allocate total of 27 MHz from several bands (CD Nov 21 p1). Spectrum between 1755 and 1780 MHz is occupied now by DoD, but would represent smaller relocation of systems than 1755-1850 MHz that has been one of main bands examined, source said. In 2.1 GHz, 2110-2150 MHz was one of bands identified for reallocation under FCC’s 1992 emerging technologies proceeding. That has been used for services such as auxiliary broadcasting and some point-to- point offerings. In addition, 2150-2162 MHz represents lower Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) channels and was cited by FCC in notice of proposed rulemaking in Jan. on spectrum options below 3 GHz for 3G. FCC asked for feedback on potential impact of MMDS licensees if that spectrum were relocated to other uses, even though 2150-2160 MHz wasn’t focus of earlier FCC 3G report. In 50 U.S. markets, final FCC 3G report said MDS used 6 MHz in 2150-2162 MHz, although elsewhere that MDS channel was at 2156-2160 MHz. If spectrum up to 2180 MHz were included in 3G plan, that would include some mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum. In further notice of proposed rulemaking in Aug., FCC asked for comments on issues such as whether abandoned MSS spectrum should be made available for advanced wireless and other services (CD Aug 21 p4).
One industry source said wireless industry in past had pushed for in-band pairing option at 1755-1850 MHz with some out-of-band sharing. That scenario involved full use of 1755-1850 MHz, which has led to repeated objections by DoD, including on timelines for relocating systems. Even before Sept. 11, some in industry realized it would be difficult to get time to work out spectrum needed for in-band pairing, source said.
“We have nothing to announce at this time,” NTIA spokesman said Mon. “The review is under way actively. There are interagency communications that are continuing.” He declined to provide specifics, saying only that process was “ongoing.”
Last month, Commerce Secy. Donald Evans sent congressional leadership draft legislative language that would postpone for 2 years deadline for receipt of advanced wireless auction proceeds (CD Sept 7 p6). Bands covered included 1710-1755 MHz and 2110- 2150 MHz, for which auction proceeds would need to be collected by Sept. 30, 2004. Sources said overall thrust of updated 3G plan would be toward 2004 for completing auction. Interagency talks involving FCC, NTIA, DoD and others were jump-started when new NTIA Dir. Nancy Victory joined agency in late summer, although talks between govt. and industry had been continuing throughout process. On one part of plan, any relocation of MDS incumbents would have to be contingent on finding equivalent spectrum, which didn’t appear to be sticking point. However, industry source said one interesting issue -- relocation payments to MDS licensees -- is that in past, when such services have been reimbursed for moving, they haven’t involved direct consumer services. Systems such as point-to-point microwave systems have less direct consumer impact, source said. “You are talking about moving a service that is providing service to tens of thousands of subscribers,” source said of MDS. While that isn’t untenable, logistics become tricky, source said.