PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 DA 00-2583 November 15, 2000 FCC Staff Releases Its Interim Report on Spectrum Study of the 2500 - 2690 MHz Band: The Potential for Accommodating Third Generation Mobile Systems (ET Docket No. 00-232) The staff of the Federal Communications Commission today released an Interim Report on a Spectrum Study of the 2500-2690 MHz band for Third Generation (3G) Wireless Systems. The Interim Report was prepared under the leadership of the Office of Engineering and Technology, in cooperation with the Mass Media Bureau, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and the International Bureau. The 2500 - 2690 MHz band was identified by the 2000 World Radio Conference (WRC- 2000) as candidate spectrum for 3G systems, along with the 806 - 960 MHz and 1710 - 1885 MHz bands. The WRC-2000 results allow countries flexibility in deciding how to implement 3G systems. The conference recognized that in many countries the frequency bands identified for 3G may already be in use by equally vital services. In the United States, the 2500- 2690 MHz band is currently used by the Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) and Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS). The Interim Report examines technical characteristics of 3G systems; the existing and planned use of the 2500-2690 MHz band, the ability for 3G systems to share spectrum with incumbent services; and possible options for segmenting these frequency bands to provide spectrum for 3G systems. Spectrum relocation options and costs are expected to be addressed in a final report that is scheduled to be completed by March 1, 2001. The study conducted by the FCC staff is a companion to a study done by the National Telecommunications Administration (NTIA) on the 1755-1850 MHz band. These reports are consistent with a Presidential Memorandum issued on October 13, 2000, asking the Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the FCC, to begin the process of selecting spectrum for third generation wireless systems and issue interim reports by November 15, 2000 on current spectrum uses in certain frequency bands. The Commission plans to initiate a rule making proceeding in the near future to consider spectrum allocations to provide opportunities for introduction of 3G systems. The rule making is expected to consider the frequency bands identified by WRC -2000, as well as other spectrum. The rule making will also consider the role that existing cellular, personal communications, and special mobile radio services will play in offering 3G services, as well as a variety of other options. The Interim Report is available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY- A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. This document may also be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW, 20036, telephone 202-857-3800, facsimile 202-857-3805, TTY 202-293-8810. Parties wishing to file comments on the Interim Report may do so by referencing Docket No. ET 00-232. You may also view the document and all Docket No. ET 00-232 filings by accessing the ECFS at https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/websql/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.hts. For further information, contact Julius Knapp or Geraldine Matise, Office of Engineering and Technology, 202-418-2470, Charlie Rush, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 202 418 7419, Brad Lerner, Mass Media Bureau, 202 418 7066, Richard Engelman, International Bureau, 202 418 2157. 2