3G systems will provide access, by means of one or more radio links, to
a wide range of telecommunication services supported by the fixed telecommunication
networks and to other services that are specific to mobile users. A range
of mobile terminal types will be encompassed, linking to terrestrial and/or
satellite-based networks, and the terminals may be designed for mobile
or fixed use.
Latest Release |
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11/22/02
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services
in the 1.7 GHz and 2.1 Ghz Bands.
[PDF
| Word
| Text]
7/22/02
An Assessment of the Viability of Accommodating Advanced Mobile Wireless
(3G) Systems in the 1710-1770 MHZ and 2110-2170 MHZ Bands
[Press
Release | Report in Acrobat (PDF) format]
3G Information |
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Key features of 3G systems are a high degree of commonality of design
worldwide, compatibility of services, use of small pocket terminals with
worldwide roaming capability, Internet and other multimedia applications,
and a wide range of services and terminals. According to the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) International Mobile Telecommunications
2000 initiative ("IMT-2000") third generation mobile ("3G") system services
are scheduled to be initiated around the year 2000, subject to market
considerations. The following Table describes some of the key service
attributes and capabilities expected of 3G systems:
3G System Capabilities |
Capability to support circuit
and packet data at high bit rates:
- 144 kilobits/second or higher in high mobility (vehicular)
traffic
- 384 kilobits/second for pedestrian traffic
- 2 Megabits/second or higher for indoor traffic
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Interoperability and roaming |
Common billing/user profiles:
- Sharing of usage/rate information between service providers
- Standardized call detail recording
- Standardized user profiles
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Capability to determine
geographic position of mobiles and report it to both the network
and the mobile terminal |
Support of multimedia services/capabilities:
- Fixed and variable rate bit traffic
- Bandwidth on demand
- Asymmetric data rates in the forward and reverse links
- Multimedia mail store and forward
- Broadband access up to 2 Megabits/second
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On October 13, 2000, the President executed a memorandum that articulated
the need to select radio frequency spectrum to satisfy the United States'
future needs for mobile voice, high-speed data, and Internet-accessible
wireless capability. The Presidential Memorandum established for the Executive
Agencies guiding principles to be used in selecting spectrum that could
be made available for 3G wireless systems, and strongly encouraged independent
federal agencies to follow the same principles in any actions they take
related to the development of 3G systems.
Noting the joint spectrum management responsibilities of the Executive
Branch and the Commission, the Presidential Memorandum directed the Secretary
of Commerce to work cooperatively with the FCC: (1) to develop a plan
to select spectrum for third generation wireless systems by October 20,
2000; and (2) to issue by November 15, 2000 an interim report on the current
spectrum uses and potential for reallocation or sharing of the bands identified
at the 2000 World Radiocommunication Conference that could be used for
3G systems. These actions were taken to enable the Commission to identify
spectrum for 3G systems by July 2001 and auction licenses by September
30, 2002.
In accordance with the Presidential Memorandum, the Department of Commerce
released a "Plan to Select Spectrum for Third Generation (3G) Wireless
Systems in the United States" (Study Plan) on October 20, 2000. The Study
Plan noted that although various frequency bands have been identified
for possible 3G use, the Commission and the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA) needed to undertake studies of the
2500-2690 MHz and the 1755-1850 MHz frequency bands in order to provide
a full understanding of all the spectrum options available. The Study
Plan called for the Commission to complete an Interim Report on the 2500-2690
MHz band and for NTIA to complete an Interim Report on the 1755-1850 MHz
band by November 15, 2000.
In March 2001, the Commission issued a Final Report on the 2500-2690
MHZ band and NTIA issued a Final Report on the 1755-1850 MHz band. The
NTIA Final Report also addressed the 1710-1755 MHz Federal Government
band. Comments were received on these reports in April 2001. In July 2001,
FCC Chairman Powell and Commerce Secretary Evans exchanged letters, in
which they agreed to postpone the July 2001 deadline for the Commission
to identify spectrum for 3G systems. Secretary Evans informed Chairman
Powell that he has directed the Acting Administrator of NTIA to work with
the FCC to develop a new plan for the selection of 3G spectrum, to be
executed as quickly as possible.
In September 2001, the Commission added a mobile allocation to the 2500-2690
MHz band to provide additional near-term and long-term flexibility for
use of this spectrum, thereby making this band potentially available for
advanced mobile and fixed terrestrial wireless services, including 3G
and future generations of wireless systems. However, because the 2500-2690
MHz band is extensively used by incumbent Instructional Television Fixed
Service and Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Services licensees, and
in order to preserve the viability of the incumbent services, the Commission
did not relocate the existing licensees or otherwise modify their licenses.
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