FCC awarded potential 3G airwaves to satellite operators

date: July 18, 2001

Today the FCC awarded eight free new mobile satellite services (MSS) systems in the 2 GHz band to provide service in the United States.

The eight companies that will receive licenses are Boeing Co., Celsat America Inc., Constellation Communications Holdings Inc., Globalstar, Iridium, Mobile Communications Holding Inc., TMI Communications & Co., and McCaw's ICO Services.

Satellite operators plans to offer the satellite equivalent of third generation (3G) wireless services, including mobile voice, wireless Internet and other packet data services from urban areas to remote rural communities that would otherwise not be served by conventional terrestrial service providers.

The action came after months of wrangling with wireless carriers, which had sought the valuable airwaves to offer 3G high-speed wireless services.

An official of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Assn. said the FCC's decision was a setback for the industry and for the government, which could have gotten billions of dollars in bids if the airwaves were auctioned to wireless phone carriers instead of given away to satellite providers. The official held out hope that the agency might, upon reconsidering, award a part of the satellite's spectrum for 3G use.

Top Sellers at our online store

1.	NEC e606 on 3
2.	Orange Nokia 7250i
3.	O2 Samsung A800
4.	NEC e808 on 3
5.	Motorola A920 on 3

last updated: January 12, 2004

Visit our online store, click here

3 phones

3G Motorola A920
Available Now! Superb full colour touch- sensitive screen with a built-in digital camera for Video Calling.
Buy now from Free

M-Profits: Making Money from 3G Services
ISBN: 0470847751

This book discusses 3G services from the view of what is needed for the service to provide value to the user, what is the value proposition for the user, how will money be made out of delivering the service, and discussions on how revenue sharing propositions might work to benefit content providers and network operators. 3G operators should take note of this highly recommended book.

buy it UK | USA

3G Books to Read!

top