Getting Cranked Up Over 3G

date: 26th February 2001, source by: Wireless Week

Wireless companies, government groups and other players jockeyed to put in their two cents about future spectrum for third-generation wireless services. Comments rolled in at the FCC from CTIA and PCIA, who both urged that the commission stick to the Sept. 2002 license-auction deadline laid out by former President Clinton's October executive order. The organizations, as well as Verizon Wireless, applauded the FCC's plan to explore possible use of frequencies below the 3GHz band to speed up adoption of the IP-based wireless services in their filings. For a complete list of filings on the issue.

The road to 3G already has several potholes, and the largest is spectrum. Government and commercial groups are poised to butt heads over the frequencies below 3GHz, many of which are occupied by the U.S. Department of Defense. In a line-in-the-sand move, DOD reportedly sent a document to the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, saying it has no intention of sharing any part of its 1.7 GHz band for commercial users due to security and interference concerns, according to TR Daily citing sources close to the situation. NTIA spokesman Ranjit de Silva would not comment on the alleged document. NTIA will release a final 3G report in March, which will address issues it has discussed with wireless-industry companies and groups for several months.

Television broadcasters also pose a problem for 3G, since they too occupy frequencies listed for possible 3G use. Television stations have until 2006 or digital TV has a market foothold, and most appear loathe to vacate spectrum quickly.

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