US gets more 3G Spectrum

Federal Communications Commission today provided an additional twenty megahertz of spectrum that can be used to offer a variety of broadband and advanced wireless services (AWS), potentially including “third generation” (3G) wireless services. This is a nice chunk of spectrum which actually means that 3G services like mobile video might actually work efficiently. Of course some of this could be used for raw data connectivity.

… allocated and paired five-megahertz blocks of spectrum at 1915-1920 MHz with 1995-2000 MHz, and 2020-2025 MHz with 2175-2180 MHz for AWS use… redesignated the 1915-1920 MHz band for AWS from Unlicensed Personal Communications Services (UPCS) and pairs this five-megahertz block of spectrum with the five-megahertz block at 1995-2000 MHz (which was previously allocated for the Mobile Satellite Service (MSS)). An additional ten megahertz of spectrum at 2020-2025 MHz and 2175-2180 MHz – previously allocated for MSS – is to be made available as paired five-megahertz spectrum blocks. (Press Release)