FCC Fees Decrease
It doesn’t happen often in Washington, DC, but regulatory fees are going down. It was reported in the last issue of Enterprise Wireless Insider™ that regulatory fees for industrial, business, and private carrier applications would not change later in 2012, while, in fact, they will decrease. The fees, effective September 2012, for a shared VHF or UHF channel will drop from $260 to $210; and an exclusive channel in 800 and 900 MHz will drop from $460 to $410.
Category: In the newsFederal Agencies Told to Go Mobile
In a press release from the White House, President Obama issued a directive requiring federal agencies to make key government services available on mobile phones within the next 12 months. The administration said it also will enhance efforts to make large amounts of government data more accessible to the public, with the hope of spurring entrepreneurs to develop a range of new services and mobile apps. "Americans deserve a government that works for them anytime, anywhere, and on any device," said Obama. The White House said the goal of the program is to make dozens of additional government services accessible through mobile phones by next spring. "We're living in an increasingly mobile world and it is critical that the federal government keep up with the way the American people do business," said Steven VanRoekel, the U.S. Chief Information Officer. "Already, families can use government apps to check the wait time at the airport, get access to critical veteran services and check the status of their tax return. Today's directive will accelerate our drive to make key services easily accessible to more Americans than ever." Perhaps even timely responses to long-standing rule making matters that also would serve the American public.
Category: In the newsMore Spectrum for Wireless Medical Devices
The FCC has announced that it will consider adopting rules permitting more intensive use of spectrum for wireless medical devices, making the U.S. the first country in the world to dedicate spectrum for Medical Body Area Networks in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. This FCC proposed action has been in process for more than three years. The commission initially sought public comment in 2009 on allocating spectrum for wireless medical devices in the 2.3 GHz, 2.4 GHz, or 5.2 GHz bands. The commission had then sought comment in response to a December 2007 request by GE Healthcare for secondary allocation of the 2360-2400 MHz band and service rules to enable the operation of body sensor networks, or BSNs. FCC Document
Category: In the newsNew FCC Commissioner Goals
FCC Commissioners Ajit Pai and Jessica Rosenworcel have released statements about their nominations, revealing their expectations in their new positions. Commissioner Pai said, "I look forward to working with my new colleagues at the Commission to promote competition and innovation in the communications marketplace that will work for the benefit of all consumers." Commissioner Rosenworcel said “I pledge... to ensure that everyone across this country has access to the best, most reliable communications in the world. In the 21st century, these are the networks that impact everything we do; they are an essential part of our public safety, our economic security, and our civic life.” Full statements: Commissioner Pai and Commisioner Rocenworcel
Category: In the newsDavid Turetsky Named PSHSB Bureau Chief
David Turetsky will be the new Bureau Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB), effective the end of May. Acting Chief David Furth will resume his role as Deputy Bureau Chief of the PSHSB. FCC Chairman Genachowski commented “We are fortunate that the new leader of our Public Safety Bureau will be David Turetsky, with his stellar talent and broad experience in and out of government.” Turetsky’s served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust in the Department of Justice and as the senior attorney for Teligent. FCC News
Category: In the newsFCC Establishes Rule Review Process
The FCC has released its “Final Plan for Retrospective Analysis of Existing Rules” in response to a July 2011 Executive Order The plan establishes a process by which the agency will “periodically review its existing significant regulations to determine whether any such regulations should be modified, streamlined, expanded or repealed” and includes an inventory of regulations the FCC has already eliminated and some that it is considering jettisoning. This effort is in addition to the FCC’s ongoing Biennial Review process.
Category: In the newsTIA Seeks T-Band Clarification
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) asked the FCC to clarify that it is “waiving the ban on 25 kHz technologies in radios for use in the 470-512 MHz band portion of the Part 90 VHF/UHF in (equipment) certification applications filed on or after January 1, 2011.” EWA members may recall that prior to the blanket narrowbanding waiver for 470-512 MHz licensees, new equipment submitted for certification by manufacturers after January 1, 2011, had to be 6.25 kHz capable or equivalent. TIA is requesting clarification that this requirement should no longer be applicable for 470-512 MHz equipment. In their filing, TIA stated further that a “continuation of the ban on 25 kHz technologies being included in applications for equipment certification eliminates the possibility equipment manufacturers may desire to develop new offerings that will satisfy the needs of licensees who will operate 25 kHz technologies for the foreseeable future, but which such offerings may also incorporate capabilities to ease the licensees’ transition to other spectrum bands and technologies when the time to vacate T-Band arrives.”
Category: In the newsMotorola Solutions Seeks T-Band Freeze Relief
Motorola Solutions (MSI) advised the FCC in a recent meeting that the agency’s T-Band licensing freeze has raised substantial concerns regarding an incumbent’s ability to update their communications systems until such time as they may be relocated to spectrum that has yet to be identified. Without relief, according to MSI, T-Band licensees will “not have access to improved equipment, including future multi-band devices that could ensure continued interoperability … or smooth the process of relocating the T-Band licensees to alternative spectrum in the future.” Motorola also supported EWA’s recent request for clarification that would allow licensees to change antenna sites which would not result in a significant change in geographic footprints.
Category: In the newsEWA Makes Advocacy Plans at Spring Meeting
EWA’s Board of Directors will be convening its 2012 Spring Meeting from May 30-31in Asheville, North Carolina. During its deliberations, the Board will be reviewing a number of critical advocacy issues, including the repurposing of T-Band spectrum at 470-512 MHz and the continued and burdensome FCC freeze on new system applications that seek to use the Industrial/Business 900 MHz band that is now approaching four years. In other matters, it is anticipated that the Board will also endorse the formation of an EWA T-Band User’s Forum to keep affected licensees up-to-date on any and all initiatives that the Commission may pursue as it attempts to enact recently enacted spectrum reform legislation.
Category: EWA On Your Side