Dept. of Defense, U.S. Air Force and wireless industry studies on...

Dept. of Defense, U.S. Air Force and wireless industry studies on using military spectrum for 3rd generation (3G) services “require further analysis and do not contain enough information to make reallocation decisions,” General Accounting Office (GAO) said this week in draft report. Since there’s no agreed-upon methodology to assess potential spectrum interference from 3G systems, each analysis has led to different conclusions about risks in vacating 1755-1850 MHz spectrum, currently reserved for armed forces. “With respect to inadequate information, all 3 analyses lacked essential information about industry plans for building and deploying [3G] systems,” GAO said in draft report to Sen. Inhofe (Okla.), ranking Republican on Armed Services Readiness & Management Support Subcommittee: “The lack of good information about future industry plans for geographic coverage and density of [3G] mobile wireless systems creates a high level of uncertainty about the levels of energy from these systems that can cause interference with satellite systems, degrading reliability of all 3 estimates.” GAO said that without reliable estimates, DoD couldn’t ensure that it would receive “fair reimbursement value” for vacating or sharing spectrum: “Ultimately, if the [DoD] is not fully reimbursed for the costs of reallocation, the government would be responsible for the funds needed to ensure that national defense is not degraded.” GAO recommended that DoD: (1) Carry out system-by-system analysis of current and future spectrum needs. (2) Prepare long-term spectrum plan. (3) Complete “technical, operational and cost assessments of satellites in 1755 to 1850 MHz band.” GAO recommended that Dept. of Commerce: (1) Incorporate sufficient time into new NTIA 3G spectrum plan to address DoD satellite operations. (2) Order NTIA to “identify comparable alternative spectrum. (3) Coordinate efforts with relevant Executive Branch agencies “to review existing national spectrum management plans and policies [that reflect] DoD international agreements and overseas requirements.”