Commerce Secy. Donald Evans and senior FCC officials plan to rele...

Commerce Secy. Donald Evans and senior FCC officials plan to release long-awaited 3G viability assessment at news conference today (Tues.). As release has neared, speculation has mounted that final report on how to make at least 90 MHz of spectrum available for advanced wireless services would include provisions under which Defense Dept. would vacate 14 of 16 protected sites, several sources said. NTIA evaluation of govt.-occupied spectrum that could be vacated for advanced wireless services has been hung up, in part, by 16 protected sites in 1710-1755 MHz band now occupied by federal operations such as fixed microwave, tactical radio relay, aeronautical mobile stations. Wireless industry has expected viability assessment to free up close to 90 MHz for 3G- related services, rather than 120 MHz originally sought by carriers. Sources have said NTIA report is likely to focus on 2110-2155 MHz and 1710-1755 MHz, with some spectrum to be made available in 2004 and rest under longer timeline. NTIA interim report on 3G spectrum released last year had outlined 16 protected areas, including sites in major cities such as N.Y., Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, L.A., Miami, Dallas. Understanding brokered by NTIA with DoD apparently outlines way for military users to relocate from 14 of those sites, including movement of not just tactical radio relay but satellite-related services, source said.