Signal Boosters – Can Pose Problems!
EWA is often contacted by members who are experiencing interference from Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA’s). As a reminder, licensees may use BDA’s only on those frequencies for which they are authorized. FCC Rule 90.219 provides an outline for operational use, type of signal boosters, maximum ERP and their emission limits. Licensees should also note that Class B signal boosters can only be used in confined or indoors areas, or remote areas where there is little risk of interference, and should be aware that if they intend to use BDA’s, they are responsible for correcting any harmful interference.
Category: Enforcement CornerEWA Will Respond to “Innovative” Licensing Waiver
EWA will be submitting comments in response to a requested licensing approach by American Time & Signal (ATS) that proposes to license fixed transmitters that manage campus wide wireless clock systems with ERP levels as high as 40 watts as mobile units, under a station class code of MO6 (mobile only private carrier). ATS stated in its request for waiver argues that licensing its numerous customer locations throughout its nationwide service area as permanent base stations would be “administratively cumbersome for it and its frequency coordinators.” In its Public Notice, the FCC requested comments regarding the necessity of providing primary spectrum protection to such operations. Comments are due on February 22, 2012, and Reply Comments on March 5, 2012.
Category: In the newsVHF TDMA Systems Concern Public Safety Coordinators
The Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC) has advised the PSHSB that, effective February 6, and for a period of no longer than 90 calendar days, the four public safety coordinators that constitute the PSCC will not coordinate TDMA (7K60) fixed facilities in the VHF band at more than 10 watts ERP. This action is in response to reports of harmful interference to existing systems from TDMA VHF stations. The letter says that the PSCC is working with a predominant manufacturer of these systems to identify the problem, but that testing has not been conclusive. The PSCC now has asked TIA to test “all currently available TDMA hardware operating in the VHF band to assess their impact on existing equipment.” EWA has received a number of inquiries from public safety licensees concerning this PSCC announcement.
Category: In the newsBad News for LightSquared
The FCC moved on February 14 to bar LightSquared from developing its national satellite-based wireless network following the release of the Commerce Department’s NTIA report that there was "no practical way to mitigate the potential interference at this time" - a reference to the service's potential operational effect on GPS devices.
While the decision is not final, the federal government's unanimity was not favorable to LightSquared. The FCC, which conditionally approved the network a year ago, said in a statement that it now has decided to "not lift the prohibition on LightSquared." In its response, LightSquared said NTIA relied on "flawed conclusions" about the potential impact of its technology on GPS, and vowed to continue working toward a resolution with the government and GPS industry. The company also issued a statement saying that regulators had jeopardized the economic growth -- especially the jobs -- that the project would engender. NTIA letter FCC Response
Google Approved to Buy Motorola Mobility
Google has received approval from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the European Union to acquire Motorola Mobility Holdings for $12.5 billion. The largest acquisition yet for Google, Google has stated that its intention is to obtain Motorola’s numerous patents and to help it better compete in the wireless space. Regulators promised to ensure that the patents obtained in the acquisition are licensed fairly by Google, which said it would manage the acquisition as a separate business entity. Motorola Mobility was created in January 2011 following the split from Motorola Inc. of its Mobile Devices division. Motorola Mobility makes smartphones, tablet PCs, and set-top boxes and other video solutions. Motorola Solutions is known in the land mobile industry for its two-way radios, mobile computers, and other wireless solutions for business/industrial and public safety organizations.
Category: In the newsFCC Releases 2012-2016 Strategic Plan
In his opening message, Chairman Genachowski states that “[T]he FCC’s work centers on communications networks and technology … and our mission is to harness the power of broadband Internet to drive economic growth and benefit all Americans.” Goal 1 reported in the four year plan is to “Connect America” by maximizing Americans’ access to – and the adoption of – affordable fixed and mobile broadband where they live, work and travel. Goal 6 addressed Public Safety and Homeland Security matters, specifically to promote the availability of reliable, interoperable, redundant, rapidly restorable critical communications infrastructures that are supportive of all required services. We didn’t identify any specific reference to supporting the wireless needs of American business enterprises and critical infrastructure providers that rely on non-broadband dedicated spectrum resources to provide jobs, promote competition and economic well being that are as “essential to the fabric of the daily lives of all Americans.” Strategic Plan
Category: In the newsSpectrum Reform Legislation Passes Congress
On February 17, 2012 both the House and the Senate passed legislation containing, among other matters concerned with payroll tax cut and unemployment benefit extensions, critical provisions regarding spectrum reform. Among the many spectrum reform provisions, the legislation reallocates the D Block to public safety to be managed by a new government authority housed within NTIA which will have the responsibility of developing a nationwide interoperable public safety mobile broadband network. To help fund this initiative, the FCC is granted authority to conduct voluntary incentive auctions of commercial spectrum bands including broadcast television bands. Other bands are also targeted for the auction block, and several Federal government bands are identified for reallocation for commercial use. Earlier legislative efforts had proposed that the public safety industry return either its 700 MHz narrowband or UHF spectrum. This version requires that within nine (9) years of enactment of the legislation, that the FCC “must reallocate the T-Band (470-512 MHz) used by public safety (emphasis added) for new use and auction such spectrum.” Proceeds of that auction would be used by NTIA to make grants to cover relocation costs which must be completed within 2 years of the auction. It is anticipated that this legislation will be signed into law next week by President Obama. EWA will provide a copy of this legislation and commentary in the next issue of Insider.
Category: In the newsEWA Supports State of Maine
Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) filed comments supporting a recent waiver request from the State of Maine that seeks to utilize a substantial number of VHF channels that are coordinated on a primary basis by the American Association of Railroads (AAR) for a new, statewide, narrowband VHF trunked P25 radio system. The proposed system would be available to all public safety agencies in the State of Maine and would also permit interoperability with federal public safety entities. EWA noted in its comments AAR’s inability to issue even a single concurrence that would normally result from standard site-based frequency coordination processes. EWA also stated that AAR’s claim that it need not concur with the request because the State of Maine is “ineligible to use LR (railroad frequencies)” is contrary to a 2007 FCC Order which denied AAR’s request seeking only exclusive railroad use on the affected VHF spectrum.
EWA also noted that with continued spectrum demand and the outlook for additional spectrum allocations virtually non-existent, that all PLMR applicants, including public safety, need to consider whether all operations require exclusive use channels. If the VHF public safety spectrum is depleted in the State of Maine, which is the premise of the State’s waiver request, then the situation can only be worse in other, more populated, locations. EWA stated that “(I)it may be necessary to distinguish operations that must have channel assignment exclusivity from those whose communication requirements could tolerate use of a shared channel where channel access exclusivity is achieved through technological capabilities.”