SECRETARY OF COMMERCE NORMAN Y. MINETA RELEASES PLAN TO SELECT SPECTRUM BANDS FOR THIRD GENERATION WIRELESS SYSTEMS

ACTION IMPLEMENTS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DIRECTIVE

Washington -- In accordance with the President Clinton's October 13 Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and agencies on third generation wireless systems, Secretary of Commerce Norman Y. Mineta today released a plan to select spectrum for third generation wireless systems and to lead a government-industry outreach effort.

The plan, developed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in cooperation with the Department of Defense and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and other Federal agencies is the first step in the process that will allow the FCC to identify spectrum for third generation wireless systems. The plan calls for the identification of spectrum by the FCC in coordination with NTIA by July 2001.

The plan is available on the NTIA website at www.ntia.doc.gov

Secretary Mineta released the attached statement.

STATEMENT BY COMMERCE SECRETARY NORMAN Y. MINETA ON PLAN FOR 3^rd GENERATION WIRELESS SYSTEMS

On October 13, 2000, the President signed a memorandum to begin the process to provide spectrum for the next generation wireless broadband mobile systems that will provide a host of new multi-media services to consumers including Internet and video among others. The introduction of new technology has the potential of unleashing a wave of secondary innovations in related goods and services and could foster the development of new technology corridors. It is also anticipated that there will be benefits to service providers of 3G where it has been estimated that $36.6 billion of revenue per year could be generated.

The President set forth a number of principles under which the Federal government will select the spectrum including cooperation with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and industry, treating incumbent users equitably, taking national security and public safety into account, maintaining neutrality in regards to technology, encouraging competition, and harmonizing spectrum allocations regionally and internationally as far as practicable. The Department of Commerce will use these principles as it proceeds with its activities to carry out the President's mandate.

The President has directed me, in cooperation with the FCC, to develop a plan by today, October 20, 2000, and issue an interim report on current spectrum uses in certain frequency bands by November 15, 2000. The President also directed me to lead a government-industry effort through a series of public meetings to develop recommendations and plans for identifying spectrum for third generation wireless systems.

To satisfy the President's directive, a plan has been developed in cooperation with the FCC, the DoD, and other Federal agencies. This plan will be posted on NTIA's web site by October 20, 2000. It contains the necessary steps that will result in the licensing of third generation wireless systems by September 30, 2002.

In conjunction with the release of the plan, I have asked the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, Mr. Gregory L. Rohde, to co-host along with the FCC, a meeting of key Federal agency representatives and interested industry representatives. The plan will be presented and discussed at this meeting. NTIA will arrange further meetings to brief and discuss the planned interim and final reports, industry plans for 3G, and issues surrounding the selection of spectrum.

I want to join the President in urging the representatives from Federal agencies, the FCC, and industry at all levels to work together within the principles set forward and make 3G wireless systems a reality in the United States.