The FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration have identified 90 MHz of spectrum that can be allocated to 3G services. FCC Chairman Michael Powell plus some Senate Commerce Committee members praised that effort.
Said Powell: “This spectrum should provide wireless carriers with sufficient capacity to keep pace with consumer demand for new and innovative services. In the future, as events warrant, the commission will consider making additional spectrum available for wireless services.”
Several agencies, working over the past year, including the Department of Defense, worked to identify spectrum for advanced wireless services. Powell said the interagency effort examined existing federal operations in spectrum already earmarked for transfer to non-federal use, specifically, the 1710-1755 MHz band. The interagency working group developed a way to relocate military operations now using the spectrum to other bands.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. praised the spectrum release. “The promise of 3G technology is well publicized. It is important to our economic well being that we continue to foster the growth and development of this type of new and innovative commercial technology. However, we are at war, and the threats to the security of the United States are real. Clearly, spectrum plays a very vital role in the war effort. We must be cognizant that our service men and women must train like they fight, and therefore, we must ensure that the weapon systems they use in training are not hampered by restrictions on the military’s use of certain spectrum frequencies.”
Sen. Sam Brownbeck, R-Kan., urged Commerce Committee Chairman Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., to convene the committee and move the approval process forward.
Government Finds More 3G Spectrum
Government Finds More 3G Spectrum
