Network Computing is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

FCC Chairman Backs Nextel Spectrum Bid: Page 2 of 2

The 1.9-GHz band features propagation rates that are better than, for instance, the 2.1-GHz band that Nextel's cell-phone competitors have been suggesting Nextel be awarded. The 1.9-GHz band needs a minimum of power and cell towers to operate effectively.

Nextel's competitors--led by Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless--have lobbied vigorously against Nextel, arguing that the valuable spectrum should be sold at a public auction and not awarded gratuitously to Nextel. As is the nature of many important telecommunications issues that come before the FCC, any decision in the matter is expected to be challenged in court.

Public-safety organizations weighed in on the controversy Thursday, some supporting Nextel, others opposing it. One group that has supported the so-called Consensus Plan for years is lined up behind an approach that would move some public-safety wavelengths around to accommodate Nextel. That group has generally supported Nextel's plan. A new group called The First Response Coalition is opposing what it calls "a Nextel spectrum-grab scheme now being considered by the Federal Communications Commission."