White Paper

US Findings on 3G Spectrum Reallocation and Industry Comments

  • FCC Report: Spectrum Study of the 2500-2690 MHz Band
  • NTIA Report: The Potential for Accomodating Third Generation Mobile Systems in the 1710–1850 MHz Band
  • Department of Defense Investigation of the Feasibility of Accommodating the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) 2000 Within the 1755-1850 MHz Band
  • USAF Case Study: Impact Assessment on Precision Strike Weapon Data Link Systems to Accomodate IMT 2000

    On October 13, 2000, the President executed a memorandum that articulated the need to select radio frequency spectrum to satisfy the United States' future needs for mobile voice, high-speed data, and Internet-accessible wireless capability. The Presidential Memorandum established for the Executive Agencies guiding principles to be used in selecting spectrum that could be made available for 3G wireless systems, and strongly encouraged independent federal agencies to follow the same principles in any actions they take related to the development of 3G systems.

    Noting the joint spectrum management responsibilities of the Executive Branch and the Commission, the Presidential Memorandum directed the Secretary of Commerce to work cooperatively with the FCC: (1) to develop a plan to select spectrum for third generation wireless systems by October 20, 2000; and (2) to issue by November 15, 2000 an interim report on the current spectrum uses and potential for reallocation or sharing of the bands identified at the 2000 World Radiocommunication Conference that could be used for 3G systems. These actions were taken to enable the Commission to identify spectrum for 3G systems by July 2001 and auction licenses by September 30, 2002.

    In accordance with the Presidential Memorandum, the Department of Commerce released a "Plan to Select Spectrum for Third Generation (3G) Wireless Systems in the United States" (Study Plan) on October 20, 2000. The Study Plan noted that although various frequency bands have been identified for possible 3G use, the Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) needed to undertake studies of the 2500-2690 MHz and the 1755-1850 MHz frequency bands in order to provide a full understanding of all the spectrum options available. The Study Plan called for the Commission to complete an Interim Report on the 2500-2690 MHz band and for NTIA to complete an Interim Report on the 1755-1850 MHz band by November 15, 2000.

    WCA Comments On FCC 3G Report

    The Wireless Communications Association (WCA) today issued the following statement by WCA President Andrew Kreig in response to the Federal Communications Commission report on 3rd Generation (3G) wireless spectrum policy, entitled "Spectrum Study of the 2500-2690 MHz Band: The Potential for Accommodating Third Generation Mobile Systems."

    The Wireless Communications Association commends the FCC's exhaustively researched findings that advance U.S. policies toward deregulation, coherent spectrum policy and market forces as the best way to promote advanced services for the public. The FCC's report confirms what WCA and others in the MDS/ITFS community have been saying throughout this proceeding. There is no comparable spectrum to which MDS and ITFS licensees can be relocated. Any attempt to segment the 2500-2690 MHz band, without undermining the deployment of broadband wireless services and the benefits that deployment will bring to the educational community, would raise substantial policy and regulatory issues that cannot readily be resolved.