WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission, despite interference concerns voiced by the mobile-phone industry, today released an additional 20 megahertz for third-generation mobile-phone communications and other advanced wireless services.
At the same time, the FCC proposed service and licensing rules for wireless operations in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz and 2175-2180 MHz bands and rejected challenges to the agency’s previous decision implementing the Bush 3G spectrum plan. That plan earmarked 90 megahertz for 3G services, an initiative requiring the Department of Defense and non-government fixed wireless licensees-like churches and schools-to surrender some of their frequencies in exchange for new radio channels and compensation for new equipment installation.
Some of the frequencies for advanced wireless services were taken from unlicensed PCS and mobile satellite services. The FCC also adopted an industry plan to reimburse users being relocated.
“There have been interference concerns raised in the record about proceeding with the designation of the 1915-1920 MHz band for advanced wireless services,” said FCC Chairman Michael Powell. “I particularly note and appreciate the efforts of Sprint [PCS]and Nokia [Inc.] to produce, under very short time frames, real-world test results for our analysis. I believe that today’s designation decision combined with the initiation of a service rules proceeding will afford the commission latitude to address comprehensively the existing and future test results about the most viable and valuable uses of this band. In the end, my colleagues and I unanimously felt that we could proceed responsibly now and produce services rules responsive to a full record on these issues.”
On a separate front, the FCC issued a report saying the satellite industry continues to show growth but still faces a number of challenges.
