U.S. Chamber Praises FCC for Releasing Spectrum

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce praised the recent decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make 90 megahertz of additional spectrum available for next-generation wireless technologies and services.

"By opening up more spectrum, the administration is opening the floodgates for wireless technologies," said Bill Kovacs, U.S. Chamber vice president of environment, technology, and regulatory affairs. "Up until now there has been a shortage of spectrum and it has stifled business investment and the development of new services and technologies."

The FCC's decision is the result of a decision by the Government 3G Planning Group, an interagency team that worked to address the concern of businesses over spectrum allocation. Comprising representatives from the FCC, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies, the group identified ways to reallocate government operations to other bands in order to release prime spectrum for business use.

The term "3G" refers to "third-generation" services, which include small handheld devices such as cellular telephones and wireless personal digital assistants. These devices require spectrum to deliver audio and video content.

"Advanced wireless communications systems are revolutionizing our economy and the way American business is developing," said Kovacs. "The real winners are the business users and consumers who will reap the benefits from new products and better service."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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