DoD spectrum generally off-limits to 3G

Any near-term hope the wireless industry had to obtain a significant third-generation spectrum from the Department of Defense was thwarted Friday, when the Bush administration designated a small portion of the precious airwaves for 3G services.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced an agreement with the Defense Department and other agencies to designate just 15 MHz of DoD spectrum to the wireless industry. The DoD, NTIA, the Federal Communications Commission and other agencies will study use of the 1710 MHz to 1770 MHz and 2110 MHz to 2170 MHz bands for commercial wireless services.

Most of the spectrum in those two bands already had been transferred from government for commercial wireless use. The piece of spectrum the wireless industry wanted most--the 1770 MHz to 1850 MHz band held by the DoD--is not included in the assessment, NTIA said.

In addition, NTIA said the FCC would continue to focus on other means of free airwaves for 3G. These include evolution of existing wireless services to 3G, possible reallocation of some spectrum from the mobile satellite service band and other wireless services, reallocation of some television broadcast spectrum and allowing some licensees for the fixed-wireless services--those in the 2500 MHz to 2690 MHz band--to provide mobile services.

The federal government plans to complete the assessment by late spring 2002.

--Lynnette Luna, senior editor