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EDITOR'S PAGE
3G
Wireless: More Noise than Signal
 Despite much debate in a Senate hearing last summer, the United States
is not much closer to its goal of finding spectrum for 3G wireless services.
In light of current national security issues, some delay may be necessary.
But a delay of two more years—as set forth in a Senate bill passed
in September—could now put the United States as much as four years
behind the rest of the world.
Even the original two-year lag had worried the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA), which oversees tele-communications
issues for the Department of Commerce. Before the deadlines were extended
in September, NTIA cautioned that while the United States' action plan
was ambitious, the U.S. would remain two years behind many Asian and
European countries on 3G services, even if the plan had been completed
on time. Any delay beyond that could significantly affect the United
States' ability to compete in the 3G race.
The trouble, of course, is that the United States has no unencumbered
spectrum. Because so many objections were presented from current users,
Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and FCC Chairman Michael Powell requested
more time to assess possible spectrum. The biggest objections had come
from the Department of Defense, whose spectrum was a primary target
for 3G services.
"Lack of adequate spectrum will jeopardize our national security,"
said Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Henry Shelton in a letter to Senator Tom Daschle shortly
after last summer's Senate hearing on 3G wireless. In that letter—written
just two weeks before September 11—they emphasized that any decision
to relinquish part of the federal band (1755–1850 MHz) must be
delayed. Current military use includes satellite control, precision
guided munitions, and global positioning signals used by troops, and
the defense officials believe its transfer for nonmilitary use will
increase risk to military personnel.
A new interagency plan examines the potential use of the 1710–1770
and 2110– 2170 bands, but it specifically sets aside the military's
1770–1850 MHz. The new plan will review alternative spectrum bands
for displaced systems. It also calls for federal government users to
assess their future spectrum needs "in light of new national security
demands." Meanwhile, FCC is seeking comments on reallocating spectrum
currently designated for services such as mobile satellites and unlicensed
personal communications. The commission has added a mobile allocation
to the 2500–2690 MHz band, making it available for 3G wireless.
FCC opted not to relocate current users, saying it would "rely on market
forces rather than making regulatory judgments about the best use of
the band."
These assessments and small allocations are good steps in the right
direction. Being at war demands that the United States retain spectrum
bands necessary to protect its national security. But the 3G race is
on. As NTIA warns, if the United States is going to be effective in
shaping future policies and maintaining global leadership, it must pick
up the pace to remain competitive.
Sherrie Conroy, Editor
sherrie.conroy@cancom.com
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