THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
October 13, 2000
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Advanced Mobile Communications/Third Generation
Wireless Systems
The United States and the rest of the world are on the verge of a new generation of personal mobile communications, as wireless phones become portable high-speed Internet connections. The United States Government must move quickly and purposefully so that consumers, industry, and Government agencies all reap the benefits of this third generation of wireless products and services.
In less than 20 years, the U.S. wireless industry has blossomed from virtually nothing to one with 100 million subscribers, and it continues to grow at a rate of 25 to 30 percent annually. Globally, there are over 470 million wireless subscribers, a number expected to grow to approximately 1.3 billion within the next 5 years. It is an industry in which U.S. companies have developed the leading technologies for current and future systems. It is an industry whose products help people throughout the world communicate better and in more places, saving time, money, and lives.
Many saw the first generation of wireless -- cell phones -- as an extravagant way to make telephone calls. Yet as with all communications systems, the value of wireless communications increased as the number of users and types of use increased. Today's second generation wireless technology increased services and information offered to users and increased competition among providers. Digital "personal communications services" provide added messaging and data features, including such services as voice mail, call waiting, text messaging, and, increasingly, access to the World Wide Web. These first and second generation services increased productivity and reduced costs for thousands of businesses as well as Government agencies.
The next generation of wireless technology holds even greater promise. Neither the first nor the second generation of wireless technologies were designed for multi-media services, such as the Internet. Third generation wireless technologies will bring broadband to hand-held devices. Higher speeds and increased capability will lead to new audio, video, and other applications, which may create what many are calling "mobile-commerce" (m-commerce) that people will use in ways that are unimaginable today. Moreover, an international effort is underway to make it possible for the next generation of wireless phones to work anywhere in the world.
The Federal Government has always played a crucial role in the development of wireless services. To foster the development of cellular telephone service, the Federal Government made available radio frequency spectrum that had previously been used by other commercial and Government services. For the second generation -- digital PCS -- the Federal Government allocated spectrum in bands occupied by private sector users, and ensured competition by awarding numerous licenses, while maintaining technology neutrality.
The United States has also placed a high value on promoting Internet access. Government support for the development of third generation wireless systems will help combine the wireless revolution with the Internet revolution. As part of these efforts, radio spectrum must be made available for this new use. The United States has already been active by, among other things, participating at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2000 (WRC-2000) earlier this year. WRC-2000 adopted the basic principles of the U.S. position, which was negotiated by Govern-ment and industry stakeholders: (1) governments may choose spectrum from any one or all of the bands identified for third generation mobile wireless; (2) governments have the flexibility to identify spectrum if and when they choose; and (3) no specific technology will be identified for third generation services. This result will allow deployment of the best technologies and permit the United States to move forward with rapid deployment of third generation services in a way that advances all U.S. interests.
The spectrum identified by international agreement at WRC-2000, however, is already being used in the United States by commercial tele-communications, television, national defense, law enforcement, air traffic control, and other services. Similar difficulties in making spectrum available for third generation mobile wireless systems are evident in other parts of the world. Because different regions have already selected different bands, there almost certainly will be a few preferred bands rather than a single band for third generation services.
In the United States, Federal Government agencies and the private sector must work together to determine what spectrum could be made available for third generation wireless systems.
Accordingly, I am hereby directing you, and strongly encouraging independent agencies, to be guided by the following principles in any future actions they take related to development of third generation wireless systems:
I also direct the relevant agencies as follows:
Furthermore, I strongly encourage the FCC to participate in the government-industry outreach efforts and to initiate a rule-making proceeding to identify spectrum for third generation wireless services that will be coordinated with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information during the formulation and decisionmaking process with the goal of completing that process by July 2001, so that such spectrum can be auctioned to competing applicants for licenses by September 30, 2002.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
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