US : 3G Americas, a trade organization supporting the wireless industry throughout the Americas, applauds the leadership of the House Energy & Commerce Committee in their proposed legislation to set December 31, 2008 as the firm date by which television broadcasters must transition from analog to digital service, thereby freeing spectrum for public safety and advanced wireless uses.

The House Committee is chaired by Rep. Joe Barton of Texas and the telecom subcommittee by Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan. Under current law, the analog to digital transition must occur by the later of December 31, 2006 or when 85 percent of homes are able to receive digital television signals. This transition will take longer than necessary because no region within the U.S. currently meets the 85 percent threshold and this condition will not be met by December 31, 2006. In the interim, public safety operators have been denied needed spectrum and the American public has been denied the benefits of innovative broadband wireless services.

3G Americas welcomes spectrum legislation establishing a finite date for the transition from analog to digital television. Chris Pearson, President of 3G Americas stated, "Mobile wireless services enhance the lives of over 180 million Americans today. It is important that the spectrum used to provide these services to Americans be utilized to its fullest potential. The additional spectrum made available because of this firm date will enhance public safety capabilities, as well as fuel opportunities for more innovative and advanced wireless services and applications."

Pearson continued, "Without clear leadership mandating a firm transition date, under-utilization of this spectrum could drag out for years. It is evident that we need a fair and clear timeline for this transition, and 3G Americas appreciates the efforts of Congressmen Barton and Upton to provide the firm date of auctions by June 2008 and transition by December 2008. 3G Americas looks forward to working with the Committee as it continues to discuss means to facilitate the DTV transition for all Americans."

About 3G Americas: Unifying the Americas through Wireless Technology
The mission of 3G Americas is to promote and facilitate the seamless deployment throughout the Americas of GSM and its evolution to 3G and beyond. The organization fully supports the Third Generation technology migration strategy to EDGE and UMTS/HSDPA adopted by many operators in the Americas that is expected to account for up to 85% of next-generation customers worldwide. 3G Americas is headquartered in Bellevue, WA with an office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Dallas, TX.