BUSH ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS NEW 3G PLAN, REMOVING THREAT TO DoD
In unveiling “new plan” for 3G, Bush Administration took off table -- for time being -- bulk of 1755-1850 MHz band occupied by Defense Dept. systems that had been under consideration for advanced wireless services. NTIA, FCC, DoD and other executive branch agencies outlined revised assessment of 3G spectrum that now focuses on potential use of 1710-1770 MHz and 2110-2170 MHz. Move had been expected, particularly in light of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that increased political leverage of DoD for fending off efforts to relocate its spectrum (CD Oct 2 p1). NTIA said late Fri. that 1770-1850 MHz band was “not part of this assessment.” Overall plan falls short of overall amount of spectrum and band that wireless industry had been targeting, although CTIA lauded extent to which development provides 3G spectrum “sooner rather than later.”
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NTIA said its assessment would examine possible sharing between incumbents in new bands and new 3G users. Interagency evaluation also will “attempt to identify alternate, replacement bands for displaced federal and private sector systems.” If more spectrum is needed to relocate incumbents from 1710-1770 MHz band, evaluation will examine relocation spectrum and time frame for moving existing users, NTIA said. “In addition, the federal government incumbents in the 1710-1770 MHz band will be assessing their future spectrum needs in light of new national security demands,” NTIA said. FCC already has reallocated 1710-1755 MHz from govt. to nongovt. uses in notice of proposed rulemaking issued last Nov. that would allocate total of 27 MHz from several different bands (CD Nov 21 p1). Spectrum at 1755-1780 MHz is occupied now by military users, including several fixed wireless systems used by Army Corps of Engineers for monitoring purposes. CTIA has said in past that relocation of those fixed wireless users could be done with relative ease.
FCC is overseeing assessment of 2110-2170 MHz. Spectrum in that band up to 2150 MHz was one of bands identified for reallocation under FCC’s 1992 emerging technologies proceeding and has been used for services such as auxiliary broadcasting. Band also includes 2150-2162 MHz used by lower Multipoint Distribution Service channels. Rest of band would include some mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum. NTIA said FCC also would “continue to focus, through the rulemaking process, on other potential means of addressing advanced wireless spectrum requirements.” Other options under evaluation include: (1) “Evolution of existing wireless services” such as cellular and PCS. (2) Potential reallocation of some spectrum from MSS and other wireless services. (3) Reallocation of some TV broadcast spectrum. (4) Allowing some MMDS licensees to provide mobile services, as announced earlier. Overall federal assessment under new plan is to be completed by “late spring,” NTIA said. Administration has proposed legislation that would postpone current auction deadlines of Sept. 30, 2002, for 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2150 MHz until Sept. 30, 2004.
While not unexpected, assessment plan marks shift from 1755- 1850 MHz that wireless industry had cited as first choice for 3G spectrum. CTIA Senior Vp-Govt. Affairs Steve Berry called new plan “positive development” because it would provide band plan “that provides a high possibility of providing some much needed spectrum to the wireless industry sooner rather than later.” As to rest of DoD spectrum not cited explicitly by NTIA in new assessment -- 1770-1850 MHz -- he said govt. had “made clear to us that nothing has been taken off the table.” He acknowledged, “it may be that DoD may not want to put 1770-1850 back in active discussions real fast.” But Berry said Pentagon was as interested in looking at alternative band plans as wireless industry was. He also lauded extent to which dialog involving industry and DoD had moved along in last few months on needs of each side: “This is a plan that is highly doable.”