DOD Offers to Give Up 1755-1780 MHz Band in Return for Spectrum Certainty
The Department of Defense proposed a solution that would open the 1755-1780 MHz band for quick sale by the FCC for wireless broadband. DOD also laid down some aggressive spectrum markers. Under the proposal, the department would be allowed to continue operations as before in the 1780-1850 MHz band and would have shared access to the 2025-2110 MHz band, spectrum now set aside for the broadcast auxiliary service. Carriers had proposed giving up on the rest of the band for 10 years, in return for 1755-1780 MHz spectrum today (CD June 19 p11).
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The proposal came in a letter from DOD Chief Information Officer Teri Takai to NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling, dated July 17. Strickling forwarded the letter to FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Chief Julius Knapp Monday. Commissioners are considering an NPRM asking about the future use of the 1695-1710, 1755-1780 and 2155-2180 MHz bands (CD July 16 p4), while the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee has a key hearing this week on the overall 1755-1850 MHz band. (See separate story in this issue.)
DOD “proposes an alternative solution based upon shared access to the 2025-2110 MHz band to make the 1755-1780 MHz band available for auction in the near-term, while protecting critical capabilities,” wrote Takai. “This solution has been developed after considering the myriad of technical, statutory, and other factors involved. This includes results of the 2012” NTIA 1755-1850 MHz feasibility assessment, the CSMAC working groups, DOD/industry spectrum monitoring, internal compression studies and requirements of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and FY 2000 National Defense Authorization Act, she said.
Takai said DOD’s alternative proposal “constitutes a workable balance to provide access to the 1755-1780 MHz band most desired by the commercial wireless industry while ensuring no loss of critical DoD capabilities and preserving the necessary flexibility to address the long-term status of the 1780-1850 MHz band.” Takai estimated the cost of clearing just the 1755-1780 MHz band would be a relatively trim $3.5 billion. A report by NTIA last year suggested clearing the entire 1755-1850 MHz band would cost $18 billion and take 10 years (CD March 28/12 p1). Under the new DOD proposal, operations now in 1755-1780 MHz would be compressed with other department operations in the 1780-1850 MHz band.
T-Mobile, widely seen as a top candidate to buy the 1755 MHz spectrum in many markets if it’s paired for auction with the 2155-2180 MHz band, said the DOD letter is a positive development. “While there are many details that need to be resolved, this is a significant breakthrough toward meeting the goal of licensing this spectrum, paired with 2155-2180 MHz, by February 2015,” T-Mobile said.