Defense Spectrum Management. More Analysis Needed to Support Spectrum UseDecisions for the 1755-1850 MHz Band

摘要

The use of commercial mobile wireless communications, such as personalcommunications services and cell phones, has been escalating worldwide over the radio frequency spectrum. This spectrum is a scarce and finite resource, which serves ever increasing and competing public and private uses. The federal government has supported commercial services by making spectrum available as these services developed over the years. Some representatives of the commercial mobile radio service industry claim additional spectrum is needed to support advanced communications systems, called third generation systems. Other members of the industry question the need for, or feasibility of providing, large amounts of additional spectrum to meet industry requirements. These members point to the need for increased efficiency in the use of spectrum through new technologies. Third generation systems are being developed to provide mobile voice, high-speed data, and Internet capabilities and are expected to contribute significantly to the economic well-being of the United States. Because of the importance of this issue to private and public interests in the United States, you asked us to assess DOD's study of the 1755 to 1850 MHz band and determine whether the study provides a sound basis for decisions about the reallocation of this spectrum. As part of this assessment, we reviewed and analyzed an industry consortium report that reached different conclusions on space operations than the DOD study. We also reviewed a separate ongoing Air Force analysis that has similar conclusions on space operations to the DOD study. We did not review the Department of Commerce or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) report or each agency's process to identify and select additional spectrum for third generation wireless systems.