WASHINGTON-The Telecommunications Industry Association urged Senate leaders to pass spectrum relocation legislation this year, saying approval is critical for the mobile-phone industry and the Pentagon.
“The passage of this legislation is a must before the end of the 108th Congress. It is key to the economic recovery of our sector and represents a win-win situation for both industry and government,” said TIA President Matthew Flanigan in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).
Flanigan, whose trade group represents telecom vendors, said the bill would provide greater certainty in the market and ensure the Department of Defense can continue to meet military objectives. The measure would guarantee DoD funds-from a future third-generation mobile-phone auction-to relocate military radio systems from the 1700 MHz band to other frequencies. The wireless industry received 1700 MHz channels from the military and 2100 MHz channels from the private sector for 3G systems.
Last year, the House overwhelming passed the spectrum relocation bill. The bill has been hung up in the Senate over a controversial telecom amendment.
