WASHINGTON-The mobile-phone industry last week raised serious questions about data and methodology used by government to determine whether the 1700 MHz band can be shared by third-generation wireless systems and the Pentagon users, a concern that has led some to worry whether the Clinton administration’s 3G initiative can succeed in finding more spectrum for future Internet-ready wireless devices.
“The government is not forthcoming on how they came up with the data,” said Don Brittingham, director of wireless policy for Verizon Wireless.
Industry officials planned to bring the issue into the open at last Friday’s meeting at NTIA.
Brittingham said industry technical experts believe more sharing between 3G mobile-phone systems and military users is possible than what was projected by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in an interim report released last month.
NTIA, a Commerce Department unit that manages federal government spectrum and advises the president on telecom policy, said some 3G-military sharing of the 1700 MHz band was possible under certain conditions.
The report did not address relocating military and other government users from the 1700 MHz band to other frequencies. That option will be addressed in NTIA’s final report next March.
The 1710-1885 MHz, 698-960 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz bands were earmarked for 3G services at the World Radiocommunication Conference in Istanbul last summer.
“I think generally it’s industry’s view that by using a different approach there will be more sharing possibilities. … The technical people that have looked at this expect more sharing,” said Brittingham.
A Motorola Inc. lobbyist said he has had trouble obtaining a Department of Defense report that helped form the basis for findings in NTIA’s interim report.
“The fact that they are providing information raises a lot of new questions,” said Brian Fontes, vice president of federal relations for Cingular Wireless. “This is going to be an incredibly difficult, laborious process” requiring give and take from all parties, he added. Like others, Steven Berry, senior vice president for congressional relations at the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, says President Clinton’s Oct. 13 executive memorandum-which directed federal agencies to promptly assess the availability of spectrum for commercial 3G mobile-phone systems-was a step in the right direction.
But Berry said it is not enough, and he predicts the process could unravel into chaos unless more serious steps are taken.
“There’s no one in charge … I want to see a decision made that outlines who makes the decisions,” said Berry.
Berry said legislation that can be signed into law by the president is necessary to bring order and predictability to 3G spectrum specifically and to long-range spectrum planning generally.
Berry and NTIA head Gregory Rohde sparred last summer over how to approach the 3G spectrum issue.
Berry unsuccessfully pushed for legislation, while Rohde advocated for presidential directive on 3G. Though he lost out to Rohde, Berry said he is continuing to explore legislative options for next year.
At the same time, Rohde clearly grasps the economic significance of 3G to the United States. “We cannot afford to not move ahead on 3G. This is too important.”
It is estimated that another 160 megahertz will be needed for mobile systems by 2010. In the United States, there is growing concern about losing the 3G market to Europe and Asia. At the same time, it is unclear how severe the spectrum shortage is.
Sprint PCS, one of the nation’s top mobile-phone carriers, says it has plenty of spectrum to offer 3G services.
For now, Berry appears to be largely alone in advocating 3G-spectrum planning legislation. But if the White House 3G plan collapses into controversy, Berry could have more company.
“If nothing significant comes of this, industry will use any means possible-including going to Congress-to identify spectrum,” said Verizon’s Brittingham.
In addition to trying to convince the Pentagon to surrender the 1700 MHz-a challenge that could become all the more difficult if former secretary of defense Dick Cheney becomes vice president and retired Army Gen. Colin Powell joins the cabinet of a George W. Bush administration-securing the 2500 MHz band for 3G poses its own unique problems.
In that band, well-heeled long-distance carriers WorldCom Inc. and Sprint Corp. have invested $1 billion a piece on fixed-wireless licenses they plan to use to bring broadband Internet service to businesses and homes.
Schools and churches also depend heavily on the 2500 MHz band for video and data services. Transferring educational and religious users from that band to another-even if the move is financed by the mobile-phone industry-carries its own political challenges.
Meanwhile, TV broadcasters rule the roost in the 700 MHz and show no sign of leaving anytime soon.
“It’s not going to be a cakewalk,” said Cingular’s Fontes.
