EVEN WHILE WIRELESS BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT is in a relatively early stage in this country, the Bush administration is pressing for changes at an international spectrum conference that could pave the way for U.S. manufacturers and service providers in the mobile-phone and WiMAX sectors to extend their reach globally.
Some of the high-profile U.S. proposals could prove tricky and contentious, however, given the inherent self interest of countries in seeking global spectrum harmonization that benefits respective domestic commercial and governmental interests.
The World Radiocommunication Conference, which operates under auspices of the International Telecommunication Union, runs Oct. 22 through Nov. 16 in Geneva. Even before WRC-07 opened, the Bush administration and its 140-member delegation of government and industry officials succeeded in securing an agreement to add WiMAX to the family of International Mobile Telecommunications technologies, several already planned or in use in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world.
“The U.S. has taken the position that we actually want as many new technologies as possible included, as long as they’re compatible. And we think that the work has been done that shows the inclusion of WiMAX is appropriate and there isn’t a compatibility problem,” said Richard Russell, associate director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and head of the U.S. delegation to WRC-07, in an interview.
The U.S. campaign for getting WiMAX in the IMT club was bolstered by backing from a regional group that includes the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.
There had been pushback from Germany and China on WiMAX gaining IMT accreditation, according to Russell.
Russell said technical issues were raised about WiMAX and there were concerns about the wireless broadband standard getting the global stamp of approval far sooner than have other radio technologies. “Our response to that is this is not about how long it takes to approve the technology. If the technology works and it’s going to be good for consumers, for heaven’s sake, let’s include it.”
700 MHz push
In a related proposal expected to create controversy, the U.S. is trying to round up support at the WRC for having the 700 MHz band classified for 4G services around the world. Other bands also are in contention for international designation for 4G services.
“We have been advocating 700 MHz for IMT-advanced,” said Russell. “That’s based on a specific domestic issue which is that we’re in the middle of the digital [TV] transition. We’re actually going to be transitioning to early 2009. The auction is happening next year. So we’re actually going to be rolling out IMT services in this band very quickly. Therefore, not only does it make sense to globally identify that band, but it also makes sense [regarding] where companies are going to start developing new services and technologies. They know they have a U.S. market. If they think it will be a global market as well, they’re going to be even more excited about developing new technologies, which benefits us.”
But the Bush administration could meet resistance from countries whose digital TV transition lags behind that of the United States.
“What I’ve been saying to other administrations is just because we happen to be transitioning to digital television sooner than a lot other countries doesn’t mean that those other countries can’t identify 700 MHz as well,” Russell explained. “And the reason for that is that we’re not suggesting the WRC-in any way, shape or form-influence when you transition to digital. Almost every country in the world expects to transition at some point to digital. It just makes sense: better picture, better use of spectrum, it’s great spectrum for other things. Everyone you talk to is excited about the notion of transitioning. What they’re all concerned about is how they’ll transition and when they’ll transition.”
Satellite support up in the air
Heading into WRC-07, the U.S. did not have a formal position on whether spectrum supporting MSS with an ancillary terrestrial component, or ATC, should have global 4G recognition.
“The satellite industry has worked diligently [on this] and we’re working with them,” said Russell. “At the same time,” he added, “we don’t want to turn that spectrum into terrestrial spectrum. Internationally this is important because countries supporting satellite service do not want to see the spectrum being relocated to terrestrial.”
The U.S. will also be playing defense. “There are bands we don’t want identified [for IMTadvanced]. “In particular, if you identify bands heavily used by satellites, you will create a situation where you going to have interference and compromise the ability to use those bands for satellites. Europe is one of the regions that has a different take than we do. They don’t use C-band [3.4-4.2 GHz] very much. We don’t want the entire band to be identified [for IMT-advanced]. We’ve been working very hard on that issue as well.” Russell said there is support for the U.S. position, though divisions exist among Asian nations. He said many developing countries-whose population densities and geographical characteristics differ from those of Europe-rely heavily the C-band for satellite services.
Then there’s the flip side of protecting satellite services. Russell said the U.S. will pursue international backing to shield 2.5 GHz wireless broadband licensees from satellite interference.
