Joint 3G comments submitted to FCC by CTIA, Telecommunications In...

along with spectrum in 2110-2150 MHz and 2160-2165 MHz, would meet next-generation wireless requirements through 2010, groups said. Joint comments were among responses FCC received last week on how to make additional spectrum available for advanced wireless services (CD Feb 26 p4). Under proposal, associations said it would be feasible to make 1.7 GHz band available in 2-3 years. They proposed: (1) Relocating conventional fixed point-to-point systems to commercial systems, fiber, frequency bands above 3 GHz that are available for govt. point-to-point systems. Or systems could be relocated to nongovt. frequency bands available for point-to-point operations. (2) Sharing tactical radio relay systems with 3G through geographic and frequency segmentation. One possibility would be giving access to 3G systems in urban areas, where capacity demands were greatest, and giving Dept. of Defense access in rural areas where it conducts training exercises. (3) Acting on apparent infeasibility of spectrum sharing between 3G services and Air Combat Training Systems on geographic segmentation basis. Groups cited possibility for next-generation Joint Tactical Combat Telemetry System to be accommodated in spectrum used as guardbands for 3G operations. Groups also proposed ways for 3G systems to operate in spectrum now occupied by satellite control systems, including relocating earth station facilities to rural areas as short-term fix. Detailed technical report submitted by groups described reallocation of 1710-1850 MHz as providing “opportunity for DoD to modernize its communications systems and align its operations with the use of spectrum globally.” Report said DoD satellite operations in band didn’t conform with standard international operations for similar satellite operations. For example, Pentagon has harmonized satellite operations in downlink direction but uses nonstandard uplink, group said. Report also said that many federal fixed point-to-point systems were analog and relocation would provide chance to upgrade systems to digital. Relocation would provide users opportunity to be compensated for cost of relocation.