Radio spectrum is the most important resource for the provisioning of advanced wireless services. The radio spectrum is the radio frequency (RF) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

3G Americas carefully reviews government plans for the allocation of additional spectrum in the Americas and presents its position to the Organization of American States (CITEL) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the U.S government as well as provides white papers and technology briefings on various spectrum related issues. Additionally, 3G Americas meets with regulatory officials in governments throughout the Americas regions to discuss spectrum planning, spectrum processes, and other important matters that are vital to the success of the wireless industry.

In the United States, regulatory responsibility for the radio spectrum is divided between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The FCC is an independent regulatory agency and administers spectrum for non-Federal use (i.e., state, local government, commercial, private internal business and personal use). The NTIA is an operating unit of the Department of Commerce and administers spectrum for Federal use (e.g., use by the Army, the FAA, and the FBI).

3G Americas embraces the following general principles:

3G Americas supports a policy of free market choice for the allocation of spectrum, along with the freedom for operators to choose their preferred technologies in allocated bands by representing the best interests of consumers, service providers, manufacturers and the economy. It recognizes that the explosive growth of wireless services in the Americas has made significant contributions to national universal service goals, and that further contributions will depend on a supply of spectrum consistent with the constantly expanding demand for mobile wireless services.
Governments and regulatory authorities in the Americas should follow a cohesive and transparent process in which an evaluation of the global competitive marketplace is carefully considered when additional spectrum is allocated for the mobile wireless industry. Considerations in this evaluation include the demand for growth of current commercial wireless services, transition to new wireless services, regional and global interoperability, economies of scale, interoperability, roaming and increased bandwidth requirements for new advanced communication services, such as IMT in both existing and planned new spectral bands.
A cohesive spectrum plan for all the Americas is vital for the overall economic health of the wireless industry as well as the economic development of the Americas region.
Spectrum Caps are often prohibitive to the health of the mobile wireless industry and deter advancements and deployments in mobile broadband technology
Governments throughout North, Central and South America should closely study and consider the ITU guidelines regarding spectrum planning for future broadband services

3G Americas recommends a spectrum plan for the Americas that is not fragmented, and advocates for five main core bands for wireless services in the Americas which include 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 1710-1770 and 2110-2170 MHz bands as well as the 700 MHz band for future LTE services in the Americas. At World Radio Conference (WRC) 2007, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approved 700 MHzas a global core band for advanced mobile wireless services.

Frequency bands that are not harmonized for mobile services throughout the Americas may present difficulties, for example, equipment supporting these bands might not be readily available and infrastructure and handsets may be at higher costs. Additionally, interoperability and roaming capabilities may be further issues. It is desired that frequency bands be common and consistent throughout the Americas to achieve economies of scale and to facilitate roaming. Such a designation will allow service providers, application developers and manufacturers to recognize the highest economies of scale essential to the provision of the highest levels of cost-effective services to current and future wireless consumers at every socio-economic level.

In a position document to CITEL, 3G Americas highlights its support in the following areas:

3G Americas is committed to assisting in the designation of common spectrum for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services and fully supports a harmonized spectrum plan for the Americas
3G Americas fully endorses the following options for common spectrum for IMT services in the Americas:
Additionally, 3G Americas endorses Option 1920-1980; paired with 2110-2170 for those countries with Personal Communication Service (PCS) networks in the 1800 MHz bands only
Allowing operators the opportunity to implement IMT services utilizing the common frequency bands endorsed above would be instrumental in achieving the goals of IMT within the Americas by facilitating global roaming while minimizing equipment costs and promoting economies of scale

The 700 MHz spectrum auction in the U.S. was successfully closed on March 18, 2008. The 700 MHz band is attractive to both industry and public safety organizations because it is especially well-suited for wireless broadband, is capable of carrying large amounts of data, can travel far distances, and easily penetrates walls with great efficiency and speed – allowing for more effective and reliable wireless communications. Many consider this band to be ideal in terms of its benefits for the deployment of advanced wireless services.

Wireless operators in the U.S. that have acquired 700 MHz are initiating their plans to deploy the next generation of wireless networks – Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE will deliver mobile data services at speeds faster than those available today. Wireless broadband will be able to reach underserved areas of the U.S., and will bring increased competition to the broadband sector that is currently dominated by Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable providers. AT&T and Verizon have announced plans to deploy LTE in the 700 MHz bands beginning in the 2010 and 2011 timeframe.

In addition to the CITEL document submitted by 3G Americas, other global wireless associations such as the GSMA and UMTS Forum have provided similar positions on spectrum issues. 3G Americas is also part of the representation by CTIA, the International Association for Wireless Telecommunications. 3G Americas is largely in agreement with most points in these positional documents and has provided them below for additional information as well as links to several references found on the FCC website.