WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission today approved flexible rules for third-generation mobile-phone service in new spectrum obtained from the Pentagon and voted to permit fixed wireless broadband operations in higher frequencies on a commercials basis.
FCC officials said the actions-based on market incentives and service flexibility in agency spectrum reform recommendations last year-will foster competition and broadband deployment in the United States.
John Muleta, chief of the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, said the auction of 3G licenses operating in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands will be held next year. But he warned of potential delays due to snags in legislation designed to reimburse the Department of Defense for moving defense radio systems off spectrum reallocated to 3G and onto new frequencies. Under the bill, 3G auction revenue will be deposited into a DoD relocation fund.
“This additional spectrum, matched with the flexibility provided by these new service rules, will help carriers meet America’s future wireless demands in all their forms and variations,” said Thomas Wheeler, president of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association.
The 3G rules allow wireless carriers to deploy different technologies and provide for a mixture of license sizes so as to not lock out small and rural service providers. Mobile-phone operators will have the freedom to buy and sell license components. In addition, 3G licensees will have lengthy license terms (15 years) and strong renewal expectancy.
The FCC declined to adopt ownership limits on 3G licenses, prompting criticism from FCC Commissioner Michael Copps.
“Under the rules we adopt today, one company could apparently end up controlling the entire [3G]band and in a city or a geographic region, leaving no [3G] spectrum for competitors. That’s a result I don’t like,” said Copps.
The wireless Internet sector hailed the FCC ruling permitting commercial broadband service in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 92-95 GHz bands.
‘The rules will trigger an unprecedented wave of innovation in millimeter wave technology and will pave the way for the development of new, efficient broadband service in a variety of markets-both private and government,” said Andrew Kreig, president of the Wireless Communications Association.
Tom Wetmore, vice president of sales and marketing at Loea Corp., said the gigabit spectrum paves the way for widespread use of the company’s “virtual fiber” solution for high-speed wireless broadband communications.
