Electronic Discussion Forum created for third generation wireless issues

date: 28 November 2000, source: Bob Arguero, GovCon

The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it has created an open electronic mail discussion forum or "Listserv" on issues relating to the identification of radio spectrum for third generation (3G) wireless systems in the United States.

This open forum complements the outreach program the Commerce Department is to undertake to select radio spectrum for 3G wireless systems. As noted by Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Gregory L. Rohde, "The listserv is not intended to form a public record on which to base future policy or administrative actions, but to facilitate more open public discussion of the issues by providing the public a means to share ideas on this very significant issue."

Agencies called upon to identify radio spectrum

On October 13, federal agencies were directed to work with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the private sector to identify radio spectrum for 3G wireless communications technology. On October 20, Commerce Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced a plan setting forth the steps that would result in licensing of 3G wireless systems by September 30, 2002. This plan was prepared in cooperation with the FCC, the Defense Department and other federal agencies. NTIA and the FCC also separately issued interim reports on current spectrum uses in certain frequency bands.

The listserv will remain open until July 31, 2001 or such other time determined by NTIA. Participation in the listserv is open to members of the public interested in discussing the issues relating to 3G wireless systems.

To subscribe to the mailing list, you send an electronic mail message to 3g-list-request@lists.doc.gov, leaving the subject link blank and put the following command in the body of the message: "join 3g" (without quotation marks). Instructions on how to subscribe will also appear on NTIA's home page, www.ntia.doc.gov

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