In conjunction with that plan, the Federal Communications Commission is launching an aggressive program to have 3G spectrum bands defined by July 30, 2001, in order to meet the FCC's goal of holding spectrum auctions by Sept. 30, 2002.

The push is driven by the fact that most of the spectrum in the United States is already in use, leaving no shoe-in bands readily available for 3G to occupy.

"For most of this year, I have been warning about a spectrum drought in this country," FCC chairman William Kennard said. "Absence of spectrum is emerging as a gating factor for the new economy."

Two bands for 3G were identified at the World Radio Conference in May: 1,755 to 1,850 MHz, and 2,500 to 2,690 MHz. In the United States, the former band is allocated primarily to the military, while the latter band is occupied by various commercial television services.

In addition, it's widely assumed that more spectrum bands will need to be allocated as 3G services emerge. Overall, the World Radio Conference participants recommended that up to 160 MHz worth of spectrum be allocated to 3G wireless by 2010.

But allocated spectrum can't be occupied and put to use outright; U.S. law requires that incumbent services be relocated.

The President's plan, therefore, includes a study of who's using the proposed 3G bands and what it will take — in terms of time and money — to move those services, or to have them share the bands with 3G services. According to Clinton's memo, the Commerce Department must submit a "game plan" by Oct. 20 for selecting spectrum bands. An interim report about the services residing in those bands will be due by Nov. 15.

Meanwhile, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is studying the question of what to do with the military frequencies affected, while the FCC is studying the affected television bands.

Other government agencies affected by the spectrum reallocation were instructed by the President to cooperate with the effort. In particular, Linton Wells, a deputy assistant secretary with the Department of Defense, said his department is assisting the NTIA in its study.

In part, the government is worried that the U.S. industry's participation in 3G wireless may be at stake. The Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) issued a white paper on Friday praising the economic possibilities of 3G services.

But CEA chairman Martin Baily noted that spectrum auctions are already occurring in Europe. Finland, in particular, is well ahead of the rest of the world. "They are already developing new companies, new lines of business around 3G," Baily said. "Our economy is very strongly positioned here, but we want to make sure we don't lose that."