WASHINGTON-Commerce Secretary Donald Evans told industry executives last week he will continue to engage other administration officials in hopes of resolving a spectrum fight between the Pentagon and mobile-phone firms that threatens to delay a decision by the Federal Communications Commission in July on frequencies for third- generation wireless systems.
“Secretary Evans reiterated that this is a high priority for him,” said Jim Dyke, a spokesman for the Commerce Department.
While Evans reassured industry he understands the gravity of the 3G spectrum issue and again promised to involve Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and others in the debate, it appears the warring factions in the conflict are not even close in a highly technical controversy that senior administration officials and Congress will ultimately have to decide.
The FCC, under a timetable established last fall by the previous administration, plans to decide in July what radio spectrum can be reallocated to mobile phone carriers for 3G. The agency would hold the 3G auction in September 2002.
Last year in Turkey, the World Radiocommunication Conference identified the 698-960 MHz, 1710-1850 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz bands for an Internet-driven 3G service characterized by faster data speeds and a mix of voice, data and video applications. But the three bands are occupied by military, educational, religious and fixed wireless Internet licensees. Those entities claim they cannot share their spectrum with 3G mobile-phone operators. Mobile-phone companies claim otherwise.
The Pentagon, insisting it needs spectrum for information-centric military readiness in the 21st century, asserts that a convincing case has yet to be made for giving mobile- phone firms extra spectrum for a 3G technology that may not be embraced by consumers or be financially viable for carriers themselves.
The industry is aggressively lobbying Congress for legislation that would help carriers secure 3G spectrum. In addition, the cellular industry wants lawmakers to pressure the White House to force the Department of Defense to surrender its spectrum. Mobile-phone carriers are required by law to finance any relocation of military radio licensees.
