Spectrum

Proceedings and Initiatives

Flexible Use of the 900 MHz Bands Allotted to the Business & Industrial Land Transportation Pool
On February 16, 2005, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Memorandum Opinion and Order seeking public comment regarding a proposal to auction unused spectrum in the 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz Bands presently allotted to the Business and Industrial Land Transportation Pool ("900 MHz B/ILT Pool"), in order to facilitate flexible use. It proposed to permit any use of the B/ILT channels in the 900 MHz band that is consistent with the band's fixed and mobile allocations and to license the remaining spectrum using a geographic area licensing scheme. It proposed service rules, including licensing, technical and operational rules for the new geographic licensees, and sought comment on defining the rights of B/ILT licensees already operating in the 900 MHz band sought comment on competitive bidding rules and procedures to be used in the event that mutually exclusive applications are filed for the 900 MHz proposed geographic licenses. The Commission stated, "We believe that our new proposed framework for flexible spectrum access in this band will facilitate the provision of telecommunications services to consumers by eliminating unnecessary regulatory restrictions, and thereby provide greater flexibility in deploying the spectrum to respond to evolving market demands.