FCC makes final decision on 3G spectrum, opts for 1700 MHz and 2100 MHz

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has finally allocated spectrum for advanced wireless services, commonly known as third generation, which should give the Canadian government at least some stability in making its own decision. While Industry Canada can now move forward on the issue, department officials have indicated that a decision on a Canadian allocation isn’t likely in the near future. Fern Léger, Industry Canada’s director of spectrum and radio services, says the government’s previous 3G spectrum licensing timeframe of 2003 or 2004 is likely to be pushed back by one year, making 2004/2005 a more realistic time-frame for licensing. The department is still committed to consulting the industry on third-generation spectrum allocation, modifications to the spectrum aggregation limit and other issues, likely to take place late next year or early in 2004. While the licensing process has been delayed, Léger is satisfied with the FCC’s ruling because the spectrum is contiguous and fairly open in Canada. "Like the industry, we would have liked to have seen 120 MHz, but we did realize earlier this year that there was no way that 1755 to 1770 would be released immediately because of the military," he says. On November 7, the FCC decided to allocate 90 MHz of spectrum for 3G: one 45 MHz block in the 1710-1755 MHz range paired with another 45 MHz block in the 2110-2155 MHz range. The National Tele-communications and Information Administration (NTIA), which deals with spectrum issues for a variety of U.S. government agencies, reported earlier this year that government and military operations could only spare these two bands for commercial wireless services (RoW, Aug. 19/02). However, NTIA secretary general Nancy Victory stated at the time that vacating the 1755-1770 MHz band could be part of future discussions. The Canadian government will have to wait and see what the U.S decides to do with its pairing scheme and base station spectrum placement. "We have to wait for the final band plan from the U.S.," Léger says. The final report is due out at a later date and it is likely the FCC will license the spectrum late in 2004. Léger hopes the Americans opt to put the base station spectrum in the 2100 MHz band because that makes harmonization with Europe that much easier. He suggests a pairing scheme of 9 blocks of 10 MHz each (5+5 pairing) is the best possible approach.

FCC makes final decision on 3G spectrum, opts for 1700 MHz and 2100 MHz

News | 11/12/2002 5:00 am EST

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