Re: stds-80220-coexistence: New Spectrum
On Fri, Oct 17, Shively, David writes ...
David> Yesterday, the FCC adopted a new Report and Order for the Advanced
David> Wireless Services spectrum in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz
David> bands. The actual R&O has not been released yet (probably next
David> week), but the basic band plan is shown below. Note that all of the
David> spectrum is paired (presumably for FDD) with base transmit in the
David> upper band and mobile transmit in the lower band.
David,
Do you know the rules that the Commission/Congress/NTIA will adopt with
respect to reimbursement of government incumbents in 1710-55 MHz? If the
licensees are required to reimburse the government for relocating incumbent
systems in that band (Federal fixed point-to-point microwave
communications, military tactical radio relay, and airborne telemetry
systems), licensees may be motivated in some cases to use only their
spectrum in 2110-2155 for wide-area coverage. The FCC announcement states
that licensees will be permitted to partition (geographic subdivision) and
disaggregate (spectral subdivision) their licenses; and the rules will not
mandate FDD technology in any event.
The FCC press release is appended below. The much longer NTIA document
discussing 1710-55 MHz is NTIA Special Publication 95-32, "SPECTRUM
REALLOCATION FINAL REPORT: Response to Title VI - Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1993" (not appended below!).
Regards,
Marc
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
October 16, 2003 Chelsea Fallon at (202) 418-7991
FCC ADOPTS THIRD GENERATION ("3G") RULES MAKING 90 MHz OF SPECTRUM
AVAILABLE FOR BROADBAND AND ADVANCED WIRELESS SERVICES
Washington, D.C. - In a Report and Order (Order) adopted today, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) advanced its efforts to provide new and
existing wireless operators with additional spectrum resources and issued
rules that will enable wireless providers to offer an array of innovative
products and services, including wireless broadband Internet access.
Today's action provided service rules for the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155
MHz spectrum bands. As determined by the FCC in November 2002, these bands
can be used to offer a variety of new and advanced wireless services,
including voice, data, and broadband services - popularly referred to as
Third Generation, or "3G," services - using high-speed fixed and mobile
networks.
The rules adopted today include provisions for application procedures,
licensing, technical operations, and competitive bidding. This spectrum
will be licensed by geographic areas under the FCC's flexible,
market-oriented Part 27 rules, and will be assigned by competitive bidding.
In order to accommodate the needs of a variety of providers, including
large carriers as well as small and rural providers, the band plan for this
spectrum includes a mixture of license sizes and geographic areas.
The 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz spectrum will be licensed on the
following basis:
Block Total MHz Pairings Geographic Area
A 20 1710-1720 and 2110-2120 MHz Economic Area (EA)
B 20 1720-1730 and 2120-2130 MHz Regional Economic Area Group (REAG)
C 10 1730-1735 and 2130-2135 MHz REAG
D 10 1735-1740 and 2135-2140 MHz Cellular Market Area (CMA)
E 30 1740-1755 and 2140-2155 MHz REAG
Maps of EAs, REAGs, and CMAs can be found on the FCC's website at
http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/data/maps.html.
In the Order adopted today, the FCC issued several other licensing and
technical rules. The licenses for these bands will have an initial 15-year
term with 10-year renewal terms. Licensees will be required to show that
they have provided substantial service by the end of the license term;
however, no interim construction requirements have been imposed. Licensees
will be able to aggregate spectrum in these bands and will be able to
partition and disaggregate their licenses. The licenses will be assigned
via auction in the future. Fifteen percent bidding credits will apply for
entities meeting the definition of small business used in the broadband PCS
auctions, while 25 percent bidding credits will apply for very small
businesses. In this Order, potential licensees are provided information on
incumbents in these bands who will be covered by clearance and
reimbursement rules. The Order also establishes rules to protect
co-channel and adjacent channel Government and non-Government operations
from interference.
The licensing plan adopted today will allow the marketplace, rather than
the FCC, to determine what services are ultimately offered using this
spectrum and what technologies are deployed to provide such services. This
licensing framework will also ensure that this spectrum is used efficiently
and will foster the development of new and innovative technologies for
consumers. The decision brings the FCC closer to achieving its goal of
widespread availability of broadband services. The greater availability of
broadband services stimulates economic activity, increases productivity,
and improves education. The FCC believes these objectives can best be met
by implementing a market-based approach to licensing spectrum that provides
greater certainty, minimal regulatory intervention, and greater benefits
for consumers.
Action by the Commission, October 16, 2003, by Report and Order (FCC
03-251). Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Martin, and Adelstein,
with Commissioner Copps approving in part and concurring in part. Separate
statements issued by Chairman Powell, Commissioners Copps, Martin, and
Adelstein.
FCC Contact: Eli Johnson, (202) 418-1395, email: Eli.Johnson@fcc.gov.
WT Docket No. 02-353