Narrowband Waiver Requests Continue
The FCC has released for public comment a number of requests for extension of the January 1, 2013, narrowbanding deadline. Requesting parties include, among others, Puget Sound Energy and the State of Oregon. FCC Public Notice
Category:CDMA Technology at 800 MHz
It is anticipated that the FCC will soon authorize the deployment of broadband technology on 800 MHz ESMR spectrum. The FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this matter (NPR) responded to a widely supported request from Sprint Nextel to deploy CDMA in the 800 MHz band. Sprint Nextel also filed an ex parte letter noting that both public safety and non-public safety licensees will receive protection from interference.
Category: In the newsFCC Initiates Broadband Competition
Noting that a “robust, affordable broadband has become essential to access jobs, education and economic opportunity”; the FCC has launched a competition to discover the best ways to increase the rate of broadband adoption by low income Americans. Winners will receive funding for Lifeline pilot projects that test how best to increase adoption of high-speed internet among low-income Americans. FCC News
Category: In the newsNew FCC Commissioners Confirmed
Ajit Pai and Jessica Rosenworcel were finally confirmed by the United States Senate to fill vacancies at the FCC, and the agency now has a full complement of five Commissioners. In his welcoming statement, Chairman Genachowski noted that Mr. Pai and Ms. Rosenworcel “bring deep knowledge of our sector, and proven track records of accomplishment.” Genachowski Statement
Category: In the newsFCC Denies APCO Petition
The FCC has denied a “Petition for Clarification and to Hold in Abeyance” filed by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO), concerning the FCC’s May 2010 announcement that certain license modifications necessary to comply with the FCC’s narrowbanding order do not require evidence of frequency coordination. Order
Category: In the newsPrivate Land Mobile FCC Fees Unchanged
The FCC proposes to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for fiscal year 2012. According to the Commission, “these fees are mandated by Congress and are collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with the Commission’s enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities.” Industrial, business and private carrier regulatory fees will remain the same during the upcoming year. NPR
First Ever ‘Mobility Fund’ Auction
The Commission plans to launch the first-ever Mobility Fund Auction, with the goal to “accelerate delivery of advanced mobile services to tens of thousands of road miles that currently lack 3G or 4G service.” The winning bidders will be given time frames by which they must deploy either 3G or 4G commercial broadband services. The Mobility Fund will award up to $300 million. FCC News
Category: In the newsPSCC Amends its VHF TDMA Stance
After nearly three months of research and deliberation, the Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC) has now advised the FCC that the public safety certified frequency advisory committees will certify TDMA coordinations only for voice emissions and at power levels that are 3 dB or more below the currently licensed analog ERP, or at least 3 dB or more below the values indicated in 90.205, commonly known as the “safe harbor” tables. The PSCC also recommended that a limitation be placed on licenses advising affected operators that only voice operations and incidental signaling, such as imbedded unit identification and emergency status indication which do not appreciably extend channel occupancy are allowed. Previously, the public safety coordinators had agreed to limit VHF TDMA systems to a maximum 10 watts ERP. It is unknown at this time how either the FCC how the FCC and affected parties will respond to this latest PSCC initiative.
Category: In the newsEWA Supports Sprint Nextel CDMA Waiver Request
EWA filed Comments supporting Sprint Nextel’s request for waiver to enable it to deploy CDMA technology in the 862-866 MHz band in 11 Economic Areas, although, given the speed with which the FCC has pursued this particular rulemaking proceeding, waivers may not be required. EWA’s comments once again suggested that the Commission must acknowledge non-public safety licensees as protected incumbents.
Category: EWA On Your SideEWA Requests Clarification on T-Band Order
EWA has filed a Request for Clarification in response to the FCC’s recent 470-512 MHz “application suspension” Order that effectively ended for the foreseeable future the acceptance and processing of certain applications for Part 22 and Part 90 T-Band spectrum. Among other matters, EWA specifically noted that the prohibition on applications “that seek to modify existing licenses by adding or changing frequencies or locations” is too broad, and includes applications that would not “make implementing the Act more difficult or costly.” EWA also noted that it understands that the FCC is attempting to prevent T-Band licensing that might frustrate Congressional intention in enacting this legislation, “but that objective must be balanced against the reasonable requirements of T-Band licensees, particularly Industrial/Business entities whose use of this spectrum is not even referenced in the Act.”
EWA urged the FCC to "clarify or modify the Public Notice to permit changes in location that do not expand a frequency contour and to permit a change in frequency at an already authorized location."