US Department of Commerce Recommends More Spectrum for Wireless Broadband

In taking an important step toward achieving President Obama’s goal to nearly double the amount of commercial spectrum available over next 10 years, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC), through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has recommended re-allocation of 115 MHz of spectrum for wireless broadband service within the next five years.

In late June, President Obama committed to make available 500 MHz of federal and non-federal spectrum over the next 10 years. The government believes that the initiative will spur investment, economic growth and job creation while supporting the growing demand by consumers and businesses for wireless broadband services.

In the coming months, NTIA will continue to investigate re-allocation opportunities that will maximize private sector investment, while protecting critical federal missions.

In a prepared statement, Secretary Gary Locke said, "We have identified the first steps for unlocking a significant amount of the spectrum needed to reach the President's 10-year goal. In implementing this initiative, the Obama administration is seeking to catalyze innovation and private sector investment. This complex undertaking is critical to enhance America’s economic competitiveness at home and abroad and promises to improve our quality of life.”

In addition, Secretary Locke and the NTIA have also established a plan and timetable for identifying spectrum that can be made available for wireless broadband over the next 10 years, working in collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC (News - Alert)) and other federal government agencies.

“President Obama’s spectrum policy initiative sets forth a bold vision for spurring innovation and preserving America’s technology leadership by expanding the amount of spectrum available for wireless broadband. This announcement is a significant down payment towards realizing that goal. NTIA will continue to work with the FCC and other U.S. agencies to make the full 500 MHz of spectrum available while protecting vital government uses,” said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling, in another statement.

NTIA released two complementary reports detailing the effort to nearly double commercial wireless spectrum: a Ten-Year Plan and Timetable, as well as a Fast Track Evaluation identifying the 115 megahertz of spectrum to be made available within five years.

NTIA developed the “Ten-Year Plan and Timetable” in response to the June 28, 2010 Presidential Memorandum that directed the secretary of commerce, working through NTIA, to collaborate with the FCC to make available a total of 500 MHz of federal and non-federal spectrum over the next 10 years for mobile and fixed wireless broadband use. The report, developed with input from other federal agencies and the FCC, identifies 2,200 MHz of spectrum for evaluation, the process for evaluating these candidate bands, and the steps necessary to make the selected spectrum available for wireless broadband services.

In the Fast Track Evaluation report, NTIA examined four spectrum bands for potential reallocation within five years: 1. 1675-1710 MHz, 2. 1755-1780 MHz, 3. 3500-3650 MHz, and 4. 4200-4220 MHz and 4380-4400 MHz. The report recommends that various portions of these bands totaling 115 MHz be made available for wireless broadband use within five years, contingent upon the allocation of resources for necessary reallocation activities.