500 MHz Initiative

NTIA released this report on March 27, 2012 finding that 95 megahertz (MHz) of prime spectrum, the 1755-1850 MHz band, can be repurposed for wireless broadband use.  While NTIA’s analysis of the federal agencies’ reports shows it is possible, there are several challenges that need to be met before making a formal recommendation to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  Accordingly, in this report, NTIA proposes a new path forward for spectrum repurposing that relies on a combination of relocating federal users and sharing spectrum between federal agencies and commercial users.  NTIA notes that spectrum sharing will be a vital component to satisfying the growing demand for spectrum, and federal and non-federal users will need to adopt innovative spectrum-sharing techniques to accommodate this demand.  Reallocation of this spectrum would represent significant progress towards achieving President Obama’s goal to nearly double the amount of commercial spectrum available this decade.  The President’s initiative will spur investment, economic growth, and job creation while supporting the growing demand by consumers and businesses for wireless broadband services.

Department of Commerce Report:  An Assessment of the Viability  of Accommodating Wireless Broadband in the 1755-1850 MHz Band (pdf)

Federal Agency Input on 1755-1850 MHz:

NTIA submits this Progress Report pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum issued on June 28, 2010, which directed the Department of Commerce, working with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to identify and make available 500 megahertz of spectrum over the next ten years for expanded wireless broadband use.