The FCC holds the key to 3G roaming

Canada’s ability to rollout 3G systems is being hampered by circumstances beyond our own borders. Now that Europe and Asia are on the verge of deploying 3G, the Federal Communications Commission is finally looking at opening frequencies bands below 3 GHz to support new wireless services. That’s an important first step, but unless the FCC designates 1700 MHz as its band of choice for additional 3G, Canadians can forget about using next-generation cell phones when they cross in to the U.S. Both the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association and the Radio Advisory Board of Canada stressed the importance of a common spectrum band in response to the FCC’s call for comments on this issue. An edited excerpt from the CWTA’s Feb. 22 submission appears below: Several administrations in Europe and Asia have already completed the process of licensing and are soon expected to deploy 3G systems. Advanced mobile commerce capabilities could increase European competitiveness to the detriment of the Canadian and US economies. As recognized by the Council of Economic Advisors, the United States and North America as a whole, are already behind Europe and Asia. This is obviously one of the driving factors behind the FCC’s examination of the use of frequency bands below 3 GHz to support the introduction of new advanced wireless services. It is the best interests of both Canada and the United States to harmonize their domestic frequency plans for 3G spectrum with the plans of other ITU Region 2 countries. Spectrum harmonization is critical to maximizing the economic benefits from 3G, especially the economies of scale from the manufacture of wireless equipment. Consumers prefer technology to be transparent. As a result, the expectation is that functionality would be consistent, no matter where the consumer is located physically. Hence, while international roaming is currently limited by technological incompatibilities, mobility of access is at the same time highly desirable to consumers. The 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia provides an example of the effort required to meet consumer expectations while overcoming the technical limitations imposed by differing standards. During the games, wireless service provider Telstra enabled approximately 720,000 minutes of telephone conversations daily. During the opening ceremonies alone, approximately 125,000 calls were connected inside the Olympic Stadium. Very few North American visitors to the games were able to use their own phones because of incompatibilities. In this light, we believe it is important for administrations in the Americas to adopt regional spectrum harmonization in the 1700 MHz frequency band in order to accommodate roaming. Regionally harmonized frequency bands that facilitate regional roaming could then be combined with common international roaming bands or other technical solutions such as common base transmit bands to facilitate global roaming. Perhaps there is no better example than the Canada-US relationship to stress the importance of ease of movement of wireless customers between countries and the significant productivity gains achieved as a result. We believe the FCC should recognize the importance of the relationships between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners, including the potential for cross-border roaming. There are over 30 million overnight trips between the United States and Canada annually. Given the current harmonization of spectrum allocation and standards for existing services, the common use of the North American Numbering Plan, and other similarities between the two countries, cross-border roaming is very important, and consumers expect service compatibility. The CWTA fully anticipates that 3G mobile services will generate significant additional cross-border traffic between Canada and the US. It is therefore extremely important that every effort be made to ensure that an efficient spectrum plan is developed for 3G, that the plan is made available in a timely manner and that the plan facilitates cost effective roaming throughout the Americas and worldwide.

The FCC holds the key to 3G roaming

News | March 5, 2001

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