WASHINGTON—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell said he will push a proposal this spring to unleash a huge chunk of the airwaves for unlicensed wireless broadband service.
Powell revealed his plans in March 14 letters to Sens. George Allen (R-Va.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). The two lawmakers, cosponsors of an unlicensed wireless spectrum bill, had written Powell earlier this month about the allocation of 5 GHz frequencies for use by unlicensed devices.
“I strongly back the unlicensed spectrum model as a key component of the commission’s overall spectrum and broadband policies, and I share your belief that unlocking high-speed broadband’s potential will bring numerous benefits to the American public,” Powell told the lawmakers.
The Powell plan would set aside 255 megahertz in the 5 GHz band for unlicensed wireless technologies.
The spectrum, which became available for commercial wireless applications after the Bush administration and the Department of Defense struck a deal that protects military radar from interference, is likely to be globally allocated at the World Radiocommunication Conference this summer in Geneva.
Spectrum is available for unlicensed devices the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, but growing demand in the bands and strong interest in Wi-Fi and other broadband wireless technologies by the high-tech sector has prompted policy makers and Silicon Valley to call for more frequencies.
