More than a Dollar Now?
In a recent Order, Dollar Rent–A-Car (Dollar) was issued a $12,000 fine for operating an unlicensed transmitter on their airport shuttle bus at the San Diego International Airport. After being advised that its unlicensed operations were causing interference to various airline ground frequencies, and following FCC inspection, Dollar’s manager took the next logical step and removed the equipment from service. Dollar also acknowledged that it had no authorization to operate on that frequency and claimed that the radios had been running on that frequency since the time it was installed by its local radio dealer. Leniency was requested because the mistake was “unintentional.” The Commission dismissed Dollar’s request, noting that although Dollar was cooperative in the investigation, it did not excuse the violation of the rules for a “significant amount of time” and their unauthorized operations “caused interference with FAA operations” which presents a serious public safety concern.
Category: Enforcement CornerPublic Safety Broadband Interoperability
The FCC has moved quickly in response to public safety broadband network legislative directives, establishing a Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability and announcing that there will be a public workshop on the issue on April 23. The FCC also recently released a Public Notice inviting comment on the transition of the 10 MHz of public safety broadband spectrum from the PSST to FirstNet.
Category: In the newsSprint Seeks Waiver to Deploy CDMA
The FCC is seeking comment on Sprint Nextel’s request for waiver to enable it to deploy CDMA technology in the 862-866 MHz band in 11 Economic Areas. If granted, the waivers would be subject to technical restrictions that were applicable to previously granted STAs so as to prevent interference to public safety or other licenses. The FCC has already granted Sprint STAs to operate CDMA technology for testing and operations in certain markets.
Category: In the newsChanges in TV White Space Rules
The FCC adopted a Third Memorandum Opinion and Order governing its TVWS rules, specifically, increasing the permissible maximum Height Above Average Terrain for sites where fixed devices may operate; modifying the adjacent channel emission limits to specify fixed, rather than relative levels; and increasing the maximum permissible power spectral density (PSD) for each category of TV bands device. The objective, according to the FCC, is decreased operating costs for fixed TVBDs, allowing them to provide greater coverage, thereby increasing the availability of service in rural areas.
Category: In the newsCity of Chicago Seeks FCC Advisory Opinion
In a March 12th letter to the FCC, the City of Chicago outlined the harsh financial reality of its requirement to vacate the 470-512 MHz band where is has in use over 350 channels. Basically, the City asked what spectrum would be available to accommodate its future requirements and what the source of funding would be for such a spectrum transition. The City noted in its letter that if fixed network equipment is to be replaced, the price tag is close to $75 million. If mobile equipment also needs to be replaced, the price tag will be nearer to $200 million. City of Chicago Letter
Category: In the newsAPCO Requests Narrowbanding Break at T-Band
On March 14th, in light of provisions within the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, that requires public safety entities to vacate the 470-512 MHz band (T-Band) within eleven years, APCO has recommended that the Commission consider modifying its narrowband rules, or adopting an expanded wavier policy to relieve public safety licensees from any obligation to narrowband their existing T-Band radio systems. APCO added that it supports the narrowbanding rules in all other affected band. APCO letter
Category: In the news