WASHINGTON-The 2 GHz spectrum band is becoming ground zero as the Federal Communications Commission attempts to promote third-generation wireless phone, broadband and mobile satellite services without trampling spectrum rights of incumbents in the band or undermining the very wireless policy objectives it seeks to further.
It is becoming increasingly unclear whether the FCC can pull off the balancing act.
The agency again was the target of criticism, this time in reaction to a proposal to relocate existing broadband radio licensees at 2150-2162 MHz to the restructured 2495-2690 MHz band to make room for 3G advanced wireless services.
Relocation is not new to the FCC. Indeed, after fits and starts, the relocation process used to launch personal communications services at 1.9 GHz-involving negotiating relocation costs and developing a mechanism to handle stalemates-was largely successful in the 1990s.
This time around, the circumstances are different and possibly more complicated.
As such, the commission is running into trouble as it tries to rearrange frequencies to further policy goals because the 2 GHz band is home to a diverse mix of communications, business, industrial, scientific, medical and military applications. In trying to please all stakeholders, the FCC may end up satisfying none. Flash points include alleged interference problems, interruption of existing wireless broadband services and costs related to the relocation process itself.
Sprint Nextel Corp., with mobile-phone and broadband wireless assets, harshly denounced the FCC’s proposed 2 GHz relocation plan.
“The only real questions in this proceeding are precisely when, where and how new (advanced wireless services) entrants will relocate the existing BRS (broadband radio service) operations. … The relocation notice [of proposed rulemaking and order] gives all the wrong answers to these questions,” Sprint Nextel told the FCC.
“By treating BRS systems as simple, point-to-point facilities,” argued Sprint Nextel, “the link-by-link approach proposed in the relocation notice threatens to escalate costs for new entrants, stymie broadband competition, and-worst of all-roll back the availability of broadband service to millions of Americans, particularly those in rural, remote and tribal areas without access to other advanced broadband alternatives.”
The FCC’s 2 GHz relocation plan has spawned a letter-writing campaign by licensees bound for relocation.
One letter, representative of others worded the same, voices concern about the piecemeal approach to the FCC’s 2 GHz relocation plan.
“I subscribe to a wireless broadband Internet service that uses BRS spectrum slated for re-auction by the FCC, and I am alarmed that the FCC may force my current wireless broadband service off the air before replacement spectrum becomes available,” said Laura Kinley, director of Silicon Valley Instructional Television, in San Jose, Calif.
“Rather than require an intrusive piecemeal relocation process,” said Kinley, “the commission should ensure that the entire existing system is moved as a unit once new spectrum becomes available.”
The Wireless Communications Association said the FCC plan does not adequately take into account capital outlays of 2 GHz licensees being moved.
“These companies, along with others that are similarly situated, have invested substantial resources into developing their businesses, many of which provide services that are not available from competitive sources. That investment must be protected as the commission moves to refarm the 2150-2162 MHz band for AWS,” said WCA.
WCA said the FCC relocation initiative provides a good staring point, but improvements are needed to advance agency objectives and protect incumbent interests in the approximately 30 to 50 markets where BRS channels are currently in operation.
The FCC plans to auction 3G licenses in the 1710-1755 MHz and the 2110-2155 MHz bands next June. RCR
