Global Spectrum Conference Will Set the Stage For Future Broadband Wireless Service

U.S. Names Delegation Led by Senior White House High-Tech Adviser

September 5, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC – The nation’s top government and private-sector technology experts are suiting up for an international meeting that could prove a watershed for development of the next generation of broadband wireless access networks.

The World Radiocommunication Conference or “WRC” will be held October 22 – November 16 in Geneva, Switzerland. Convened by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) roughly every three to four years, the WRC sets global allocations and updates the rules that govern the use of radio frequencies (known collectively as “spectrum”) and satellite locations around the world.

WRC 2007 will address a range of spectrum-related issues, including proposals to identify frequencies to be used for future broadband wireless networks (frequently referred to as “4G” networks), which promise full broadband mobility. Delegates from more than 150 countries will address future spectrum needs for what the ITU calls “International Mobile Telecommunications” (IMT), a collection of technologies that, if U.S. policy prevails, will include mobile WiMAX. The delegates will also work to limit satellite interference that would hamper the rollout of wireless broadband in the U.S.

With the stakes this high, the White House has named its senior technology policy official, Ambassador Richard M. Russell, to lead the 140-strong U.S. Delegation. Mr. Russell serves in the Executive Office of the President as the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP’s) Deputy Director for Technology, a post he will retain as he guides the U.S. WRC effort in Geneva.

“Decisions made at this Conference will have long-term impacts at home and overseas,” Ambassador Russell said. “It is important to balance our goal to promote innovative new commercial services with our ongoing need to support important government activities.”

In addition to wireless broadband issues, WRC 2007 will address spectrum-related matters affecting nearly every spectrum-dependent industry and government activity. These include:

• Ensuring that critical satellite frequencies are preserved for important commercial services;
• Authorizing additional frequencies for aeronautical testing and in-route services;
• Protecting earth exploration satellite service passive operations from active transmissions in adjacent spectrum bands.

Previous WRCs have enabled the global use of spectrum for an array of consumer services that Americans now enjoy, including digital mobile services and unlicensed Wi-Fi capabilities. The U.S. consistently has had a major presence at the WRCs, reflecting its history of high-tech innovation and its widespread deployment of networks, satellites, radars and other spectrum-dependent systems.

About the U.S. Delegation

The U.S. delegation was announced last month by the Department of State, which organizes U.S. representation at the WRC. Government members of the delegation represent an array of agencies and departments, including the Commerce Department, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Defense and Justice Departments, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Moreover, many U.S.-based high-tech companies are represented on the delegation, including satellite and telecommunications equipment manufacturers, wireless carriers, satellite operators, defense contractors and IT companies.

About the ITU

The ITU has its roots in the 1865 International Telegraph Union founded to coordinate the first undersea telegraph cables. One of the oldest intergovernmental organizations in the world, it now operates as a United Nations specialized agency. The ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector, which holds the WRCs, provides a global forum for coordination of spectrum usage and satellite orbital locations.

Contact

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact John Alden, media relations liaison for the U.S. Delegation, at 202-371-6793 or by email at ja@ftidc.com.