US Commerce Agency Releases Costs Of Opening Up Spectrum

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on Wednesday released costs to move incumbent federal users out of the 1710-1755 MHz band, saying the costs are far less than previous wireless industry estimates.

"The costs and timelines transmitted to the Federal Communications Commission pave the way for an FCC auction of some of the nation's most valuable airwaves as early as next summer," the agency said in a press release.

NTIA said a total of 2,240 frequency assignments will be relocated by 12 federal agencies and that the cost of relocating federal government operations is estimated to be $935,940,312.

The 1710-1755 band and the 2110-2155 band were identified by NTIA in 2002 as spectrum that could be allocated for new commercial services without disrupting communications systems critical to national security.

Michael Gallagher, assistant secretary of Commerce for communications and information, said the spectrum announcement "is great news for American consumers and the U.S. economy." He said that "we found a way to open up 'beach front' spectrum for key economic activity without jeopardizing our national security."

-By John Connor, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9273; John.Connor@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 28th December 2005