U.S. may not aggressively seek more 3G spectrum at WRC
May 3, 1999
By Jeffrey Silva
WASHINGTON—Motorola Inc., the top American wireless
manufacturer, is internally debating whether it can support what appears
will be a weak U.S. position on third-generation mobile phone spectrum at
the World Radiocommunication Conference next year.
Motorola, according to sources, is distressed over what it regards as U.S.
ambivalence on acquiring more 3G spectrum at WRC-2000, May 8 to
June 2, in Istanbul. Others less vocal than Motorola share that view.
There is widespread agreement that at least 160 megahertz of additional
spectrum is needed by 2010 to deploy 3G systems, advanced
Internet-friendly wireless technology that will need broadband capacity to
accommodate voice, high-speed data and video applications.
There appears to be some sentiment that it is unnecessary to secure more
frequencies at WRC-2000 if enough 3G spectrum is available for carriers
at the turn of the century in the form of 2 GHz personal communications
services spectrum (comprising part of the global 3G spectrum allocation)
or new stop-gap spectrum (2210-2250 MHz) that federal regulators may
earmark for third-generation mobile phone service.
But some think forgoing the opportunity to acquire 3G spectrum at
WRC-2000 is a short-sighted perspective that could backfire on the
United States, given the four to eight years it would take after the
conference to develop technical standards, manufacture radios and base
stations and then ship them to customers.
It is a precarious and difficult position for Motorola, which historically has
been one of staunchest U.S. supporters in global telecom affairs and, in
turn, has reaped benefits from government backing in trade disputes with
Japan and others.
But, realizing that a lackluster push for global 3G spectrum at WRC 2000
could have huge implications for a U.S.-based multinational supplier like
itself, Motorola sees a need to get its point across without antagonizing
policy makers.
Being a multinational firm that builds to different wireless technologies
around the globe prompted Motorola to disassociate itself from the highly
public battle waged by U.S. suppliers Qualcomm Inc. and Lucent
Technologies Inc. against Sweden's L.M. Ericsson and Finland's Nokia
Corp. over 3G standardization specifically and U.S.-European trade
generally.
Motorola and other U.S. wireless firms are said to have been taken aback
by the lack of active U.S. participation on 3G issues at a WRC 2000
preparatory meeting several weeks ago in Costa Rica.
Officials from the Federal Communications Commission, Motorola,
Lucent and Qualcomm could not be reached for comment.
U.S. wireless firms want to develop a strong, common position on 3G
spectrum with their counterparts in Central and South America going into
WRC 2000. North and South America comprise one of the regions that
receive spectrum allocations at International Telecommunication Union
conferences.
Motorola's characterization of the United States' reticent position on 3G
acquisition at WRC 2000 tends to be supported by official statements
made recently by the FCC advisory committee.
The WRC 2000 advisory committee, while acknowledging ‘‘an urgent
need'' for third-generation mobile phone spectrum, appeared to go to
great lengths to make the case against a global 3G allocation in a paper
issued March 29 by the FCC.
‘‘Even if a global band could be identified, there would be minimal benefit
to identifying that spectrum for IMT-2000 unless it was also brought into
service globally in a timely way,'' the committee stated.
‘‘It has become clear from the work underway in various standards
development organizations,'' the committee continued, ‘‘that many of the
second-generation systems will be able to evolve to provide the features
and capabilities expected in IMT-2000 and that those systems may
operate in spectrum that has not been identified for IMT-2000.''
The WRC-2000 advisory group goes on to say that ‘‘only the minimum
spectrum necessary should be identified for those applications to reduce
the impact on existing services and to encourage the use of more spectrally
efficient technologies that can support high data rate services within the
minimum frequency bandwidths possible.''
By design or otherwise, the United States appears to be laying the
foundation for a strategy that may not include an aggressive push for 3G
spectrum and that potentially concedes a huge victory to dominant wireless
carriers.
Indeed, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association believes 3G
technology can be largely implemented in existing spectrum held by its
members.
In contrast, the Personal Communications Industry Association, which
represents paging and mobile phone startups, is pressing for additional 3G
spectrum.
A Clinton administration source suggested the United States may be
reluctant to push for 3G spectrum because doing so might give the
advantage to European wireless firms.
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