[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[October 13, 2000]
[Pages 2171-2173]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum on Advanced Mobile Communications/Third Generation Wireless 
Systems
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

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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 Government 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 
telecommunications, 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:
    --Third generation wireless systems need radio frequency spectrum on 
which to operate. Executive departments and agencies and the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) must cooperate with industry to identify 
spectrum that can be used by third generation wireless systems, whether 
by reallocation, sharing, or evolution of existing systems, by July 
2001;
    --Incumbent users of spectrum identified for reallocation or sharing 
must be treated equitably, taking national security and public safety 
into account;
    --The Federal Government must remain technology-neutral, not 
favoring one technology or system over another, in its spectrum 
allocation and licensing decisions;
    --The Federal Government must support policies that encourage 
competition in services and that provide flexibility in spectrum 
allocations to encourage competition; and
    --The Federal Government must support industry efforts as far as 
practicable and based on market demand and national considerations, 
including national security and international treaty obligations, to 
harmonize spectrum allocations regionally and internationally.
    I also direct the relevant agencies as follows:
    1. I direct the Secretary of Commerce to work cooperatively with the 
FCC, as the agencies within the Federal Government with shared 
responsibility and jurisdiction for management of the radio frequency 
spectrum, to develop, by October 20, 2000, a plan to select spectrum for 
third generation wireless systems, and to issue, by November 15, 2000, 
an interim report on the current spectrum uses and potential for 
reallocation or sharing of the bands identified at WRC-2000 that could 
be used for third generation wireless systems, in order that the FCC can 
identify, in coordination with the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration, spectrum by July 2001, and auction licenses 
to competing applicants by September 30, 2002.
    2. I also direct the Secretary of Commerce to work cooperatively 
with the FCC to lead a government-industry effort, through a series of 
regular public meetings or workshops, to work cooperatively with 
government and industry representatives, and others in the private 
sector, to develop recommendations and plans for identifying spectrum 
for third generation wireless systems consistent with the WRC-2000 
agreements, which may be implemented by the Federal Government.

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    3. I direct the Secretaries of Defense, the Treasury, 
Transportation, and the heads of any other executive department or 
agency that is currently authorized to use spectrum identified at WRC-
2000 for third generation wireless services, to participate and 
cooperate in the activities of the government-industry group.
    4. I direct the Secretary of State to participate and cooperate in 
the activities of the government-industry group, and to coordinate and 
present the evolving views of the United States Government to foreign 
governments and international bodies.
    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