Clinton demands progress for 3G wireless

U.S. President Bill Clinton signed an executive memorandum Friday directing federal agencies to work with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and the private sector to decide which portion of the radio spectrum will be allocated to third-generation wireless technologies.

The move is the latest attempt by the U.S. to keep up with the advancements being made by Europe and Asia in wireless communication and related technology.

Heated competition surrounds access to the airwaves here. While next generation wireless technologies bring the promise of improved Internet speed and media rich content, the U.S. has been slack on directing what portion of the network communications companies may use.

"My administration is committed to strengthening U.S. leadership in the information and communications industry," Clinton said in a statement. "Over the last 5 years, the information technology sector has accounted for nearly one-third of the U.S. economic growth, and has generated jobs that pay 85% more than the private sector average. The action I am taking today will help U.S. high-tech entrepreneurs compete and win in the global marketplace."

Clinton asked that federal agencies work with the private sector to reallocate, share, or evolve existing systems to make sure that a proper range of the wireless spectrum is made available for 3G wireless networks by July 2001. He said current users of the spectrum should receive fair treatment in the process and that national security and public safety concerns should receive high priority as well.

Clinton cited Oct. 20 as a deadline to develop a plan for the advancement of the project. He then said that an interim report on the status of the current spectrum and ways to reallocate or share bandwidth should be readied by Nov. 15. Clinton looks for auctions on licenses to competing parties to occur by Sept. 30, 2002.

The President also directed the Secretaries of Defense, the Treasury, Transportation, heads of other executive departments and agencies and the Secretary of State to move the project along and cooperate with the FCC.

"If the U.S. does not move quickly to allocate this spectrum, there is a danger that the U.S. could lose market share in the industries of the 21st century," Clinton said.

Communications vendors voiced support for Clinton's initiatives to push the technology forward. Verizon Communications said it was pleased Clinton set a detailed time line for making spectrum available and vowed to aid federal agencies in the progression of the effort.

"The development of 3G wireless services will yield tremendous benefits to U.S. consumers and the U.S. economy, but additional spectrum must be made available to support its development," Verizon said in a statement.

The White House is on the Web at www.whitehouse.gov/.