WASHINGTON—The Commerce Department today asked for public comment on the creation of a government-industry spectrum-sharing test bed, a key component of President Bush’s spectrum plan that has taken on greater weight as demands grow for the dwindling pool of usable frequencies.
In a Federal Register notice expected tomorrow, the department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration will call for feedback on identification of technologies and services; establishment of processes, principles and guidelines; identification of candidate frequency band(s); and activation, termination and evaluation of the test bed.
The Federal Communications Commission also is soliciting public comment on issues related to the test bed through a separate public notice. As part of the test bed, NTIA and the FCC will each identify around 10 MHz of spectrum to be used.
The Commerce Department said the test bed will build on the successful sharing arrangements between federal and non-federal users at 5 GHz and in the 70 GHz, 80 GHz, and 90 GHz bands. The department said the effort will drive future innovation, and will expand spectrum-sharing arrangements that benefit government and commercial users.
Two years after establishing the test bed, NTIA and the FCC will issue reports outlining the results, and will suggest appropriate procedures for expanding the test bed.
