Genachowski: FCC is on track to free up 300MHz of frequencies by 2015

Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has promised that the watchdog is on track to exceed its goal of freeing up 300MHz of spectrum for wireless use by 2015, Fierce Wireless reports. Citing a speech made by Genachowski at the University of Pennsylvania last week, the website reports that the agency is on track to auction 75MHz of licensed Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum by 2015, including the sale of shared rights to the 1755MHz-1780MHz band, which could potentially be paired with the 2155MHz-2180MHz band. Further, he said that in 2013 the FCC will auction the AWS-2 ‘H Block’ spectrum in the 1900MHz PCS band, as targeted by Sprint Nextel among others. Going forward, by the end of this year, Genachowski expected that the FCC ‘will finish removing outdated rules and restrictions’ on 70MHz of spectrum, including 40MHz of 2GHz Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) S-band spectrum that satellite TV operator DISH Network holds, as well as 30MHz of 2.3GHz Wireless Communiction Services (WCS), as desired by AT&T Mobility. The freeing up of the frequencies is a key element of the FCC’s national broadband plan.