Sprint Opposed to Proposed Spectrum Changes

(Telephony) Sprint has come out in opposition to the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning the reallocation of spectrum currently used for fixed wireless service to third generation mobile wireless services.

With both a strong mobile offering and significant ownership of fixed wireless licenses in the spectrum in question—the 2.1 GHz and 2.5 GHz ranges—Sprint is in a unique position to comment on the proposal.

In comments submitted to the FCC, Sprint questioned the feasibility of allowing 3G operators to share the spectrum with existing fixed wireless licensees.

“Technical studies demonstrate that mobile wireless and fixed wireless operators cannot coexist in the 2.1 GHz and 2.5GHz bands. Both services are ubiquitous and can operate at any time, making avoidance of mutual harmful interference impossible,” the comment read.

Sprint also opposes segmenting the spectrum into pieces used exclusively for either fixed wireless or mobile wireless services.

“The reduction of spectrum as a result of band segmentation would increase the 2.1 GHz and 2.5 GHz fixed licensees cost so dramatically that any reasonable return on their investment would be erased,” read the comment. “Segmentation would also trigger massive relocation of existing licensees to other spectrum bands that have yet to be identified, and in any event, likely cannot provide the propagation characteristics that make 2.1 GHz and 2.5 GHz ideally suited for Sprint’s and others’ broadband services.”

In addition, Sprint said the FCC has encouraged fixed wireless spectrum holders to invest in the 2.1 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands and any forced reallocation then would be an arbitrary departure from accepted policy.

In a related move, Andrew Kreig, president of the Wireless Communications Assocation, also came out opposition to the proposed rulemaking.

“The mobile industry does not need the 2.1 and 2.5 GHz bands to provide 3G services, as ample spectrum is available elsewhere,” he said in a statement.