U.S. Will Share Wireless Spectrum -- Strings Attached

The U.S. government is willing to release some of its airwaves to commercial users, but unrestricted sharing of allocated spectrum by 3G wireless systems and existing federal government users will not happen, the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reported.

Use of radio frequency bands and band segmentation to accommodate high-speed mobile Internet service in the United States may be possible under certain conditions, according to the NTIA, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which said it will continue to explore making more government-owned spectrum available.

Identifying Spectrum

The NTIA offered a technical analysis of the potential for 3G wireless systems to operate without causing interference in the 1710-1850 MHz radio frequency band, which now is used exclusively for radio communications by the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal government agencies.

"This report indicates that certain sharing/segmentation options may be possible in the 1710-1850 MHz band," said John Sopko, acting assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information.

Sopko added that reports on the 2500-2690 MHz band from the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission will help the FCC work with the Department of Commerce to identify more spectrum for 3G systems.

The FCC was scheduled to release an analysis of this government spectrum on Friday.

The 2500-2690 MHz band is used primarily by educational institutions and multipoint distribution systems.

Defense Department Balks

The two frequency bands were among others identified at the World Radiocommunication Conference last year as potential spectrum for 3G wireless systems, the NTIA said.

In its analysis, the NTIA examined current spectrum use, the potential for sharing in the band, and cost estimates for relocating incumbent government users if it becomes necessary.

The DoD has lobbied against unrestricted sharing of allocated spectrum, but the NTIA noted that sharing and segmentation options exist if critical government communication systems are protected; if funds are made available to relocate federal government should that become necessary; and if comparable spectrum can be found for relocated systems.

The U.S. Air Force reported in January that a weapons data link system that operates in the 1710-1755 and 1755-1850 MHz bands will be significantly impacted if other systems are introduced to either of these bands. Among the impacts are the costs associated with band sharing, band segmentation and vacating the frequency band to accommodate outside systems, the Air Force said.

Presidential Decree

The study was conducted in response to an order issued last October by then-President Clinton directing the secretary of commerce, in cooperation with the FCC, to begin selecting spectrum for 3G wireless systems. The report released today follows interim reports issued by NTIA and the FCC in November.

According to a plan developed last year, the FCC will decide this July, in consultation with NTIA, which spectrum will be allocated for 3G wireless systems.

The NTIA report follows a meeting Thursday between U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and representatives from wireless companies -- including Sprint PCS and Motorola and a number of others -- to discuss the availability of additional spectrum for 3G wireless, according to published reports.