FCC Drops 3G Plans for Schools Spectrum Bands

The American telecoms regulator, the FCC has decided not to suggest the 2500-2690 MHz band for use by cellular networks for 3G services. The band is currently occupied by schools and fixed satellite internet service providers. Interestingly, the regulator, technically has amended the spectrum allocation to allow the band to be used for 3G services, but then refused to migrate the existing users out of it, making it impossible to use it for 3G services unless an existing user voluntarily decides to leave. As the incumbent users have been lobbying hard to prevent their being moved there is no likelihood that they would voluntarily migrate their services to another spectrum band. The FCC says that it will allow market forces to dictate what services are offered in the 2500-2690 MHz band in the future."

Posted to the site on 25th September 2001