US
: Congress completed passage of H.R. 5419 that includes a spectrum
relocation trust fund that will facilitate the clearing and auction
of 90 MHz of spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services or 3G.
"The creation
of a 3G spectrum trust fund is an important and very positive advance
for the development of the wireless industry in the United States
and the provision of advanced wireless services to consumers across
America," said Robert Dotson, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA.
"We believe that with the passage of this legislation, the Federal
Communications Commission and the Administration will move quickly
to make this much needed spectrum available to wireless companies
through an auction process."
"The spectrum
trust fund will result in a significant expansion of the capacity
being used to serve wireless consumers while bringing funds into the
U.S. treasury allocated to compensate government users," added
Dotson.
H.R. 5419 passed
the U.S. Senate late yesterday following earlier action by the U.S.
House of Representatives. The bill also includes funding for state
and local governments for E911 and addresses accounting issues involving
the Universal Service Fund.