The Telecommunications Industry Association has applauded the Federal Communication Commission for allocating the recently identified spectrum for advanced wireless services and beginning the process of establishing service rules.
Specifically, the FCC adopted a Second Report and Order to allocate an additional 90 MHz of spectrum in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands that can be used to provide new advanced wireless services such as those services commonly identified as "3G" or "IMT-2000." This spectrum is now used by the federal government, microwave licensees and multipoint distribution services.
The commission also adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning service rules for advanced wireless services in these bands.
"These two proceedings will greatly facilitate the introduction of new and innovative wireless product offerings," says TIA President Matthew Flanigan.
The FCC's Spectrum Policy Task Force presented its findings and recommendations to the commissioners on Nov. 7. The task force has recommended a more forward-looking approach to interference protection.
It also reported that a significant amount of underutilized spectrum exists and that the commission should look at time as an additional dimension for spectrum policy. Future FCC policy will facilitate access to spectrum in the time domain that will lead to more efficient use of the spectrum resource.
The task force also recommends that licensees be granted the maximum flexibility to use, or allow others to use, spectrum. Finally, the task force recommends that the FCC develop policies that avoid interference rules that are barriers to entry, that favor a particular business model or technology, and that take the place of marketplace or technical solutions.
"The market-oriented approaches envisioned by the FCC's Spectrum Policy Task Force promise to bring certainty and stability to our nation's spectrum management processes," says Flanigan. "We look forward to working closely with the commission as it considers the findings of the staff and moves forward on implementing the recommendations it accepts. We know the FCC staff worked tirelessly on this effort and the result is that we move closer to the establishment of a modernized, effective national strategy for spectrum management."
The TIA is based in Arlington, Va. For more information, visit www.tiaonline.org.