Cut MSS spectrum loose, says CTIA

(Telephony) The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association filed a petition for rulemaking with the Federal Communications Commission, asking the agency to stop granting spectrum to the mobile satellite services industry and reallocate existing MSS spectrum “to more efficient users of spectrum.”

“It means that we’re looking at spectrum that may not be fully utilized below 3 GHz and could be used for terrestrial, fixed [wireless] and relocating incumbents from some of the other bands,” said Diane Cornell, CTIA’s vice president for regulatory affairs. “It’s a long-term spectrum-management filing.”

CTIA said the MSS industry already is failing financially, and new MSS entrants are unlikely to make effective use of the spectrum in the 2 GHz band.

The mobile wireless industry is particularly concerned with a filing from New ICO--the satellite company revived by cellular mogul Craig McCaw--which asked the FCC to let it incorporate an ancillary terrestrial component. This component would allow New ICO to extend MSS to many indoor and urban areas. Without it, New ICO does not believe MSS cannot survive.

The mobile wireless industry believes New ICO, if granted the request, will be free to compete against mobile operators. If that’s the case, then all of those bands should be opened to mobile carriers, the industry argues.

CTIA and the mobile wireless industry have been prodding the government to release spectrum for third-generation services. Spectrum the industry wants most is tied up in the Defense Department. Other spectrum identified by the International Telecommunication Union is used by broadcasters and MMDS operators. The 2 GHz band may provide bands to relocate these incumbent users. The industry may be facing the biggest policy fight on Capitol Hill this year as it battles to free spectrum from the Defense Department.

“The question is: Will we have the concrete on which the new information superhighway rides?” said CTIA President and CEO Tom Wheeler during last week’s Wireless Agenda show. “I’m sad to say that it is an issue very much in doubt. There is no single issue more important than whether or not there is sufficient spectrum for wireless data. It’s half time, and we’re down a bunch.”

Earlier this month, CTIA wrote a letter to President Bush, urging the president to delay 3G spectrum allocations until the administration has a chance to study the proposed 3G bands.