U.S. releases spectrum for wireless services

By
iApplianceWeb
(07/24/02, 04:27:44 PM EDT)

WASHINGTON - Under pressure from the wireless industry, the U.S. government said it would release 90 MHz of spectrum currently used by federal agencies for third-generation (3G) wireless services.

The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) said Tuesday (July 23) that the spectrum would come from two bands: 1,710-1,770 MHz; and 2,110-2,170 MHz. The spectrum would be used for fixed and mobile wireless services, with 3G services expected to use the majority.

The decision to release the spectrum follows a series of government reviews designed to balance national security uses of spectrum with industry demand for more spectrum needed for new wireless services already being rolled out in Europe.

The Federal Communications Commission helped negotiate the spectrum reallocation with the Department of Defense. The wireless industry, led by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, also had been petitioning the government to free up spectrum for 3G services.

According to NTIA's plan, DOD would move its fixed microwave systems from the 1,710-to-1,755-MHz band within two years of being reimbursed for the move by industry. Federal law requires industry to pay the cost of relocating federal agencies to new spectrum.

Sixteen other DOD "protected sites" would also be affected under the spectrum deal, NTIA said.

"This spectrum should provide wireless carriers with sufficient capacity to keep pace with consumer demand for new and innovative services," said FCC chairman Michael Powell. "As events warrant, the Commission will consider making additional spectrum available for wireless services."