Leading figures in the US mobile industry have written to the president, calling on him to direct government bodies to release more spectrum in the bands below 3GHz. The letter, which was sent yesterday, was signed by the CEOs of Cellcom, Sprint Nextel,…
Leading figures in the US mobile industry have written to the president, calling on him to direct government bodies to release more spectrum in the bands below 3GHz.
The letter, which was sent yesterday, was signed by the CEOs of Cellcom, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, as well as the CEO of AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets and the CEO of the CTIA Wireless Association, which represents US mobile operators.
In the letter, the executives call on the president to direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to identify and clear “broad, paired, internationally-harmonised bands” below 3GHz.
The executives said that access to these “critical bands” would “greatly enhance” efforts to fulfil the goals set by the FCC’s National Broadband Plan and the Administration’s National Wireless Initiative.
Both these plans include objectives to widen access to high-speed mobile internet services. In his state of the union address in February, Obama set forward an aim of providing at least 98% of Americans with access to 4G wireless services within five years.
In their letter yesterday, the executives said: “Success in this effort will enable America’s wireless industry to continue to lead the world in wireless broadband development, serve as a catalyst for economic growth, and generate revenue from spectrum auctions that can reduce the deficit.”
They said that they looked forward to working with the president on the issue.
The NTIA did not reply to questions before the press deadline.
