Unauthorized Portables Means Fine for Hospital
Bryn Mawr Hospital has been held liable for forfeiture in the amount of $8,000 for operating portable radios on unauthorized frequencies. The hospital was requested by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau is to submit a written statement within thirty days from the release of the NAL indicating that operations of its radio transmission equipment are consistent with the Commission’s rules. Order
Category: Enforcement CornerCommission Modifies 700 MHz Rules
In a Report and Order modifying its 700 MHz public safety broadband rules, the FCC set the stage for the transition of all 20 MHz of public safety spectrum to FirstNet, including eliminating the PSST’s status as licensee of the original broadband allocation. The R&O states that the “ministerial task” of issuing the license to FirstNet will take place once FirstNet advises the PSHSB that it has been established consistent with the legislation and submits a request for the license.
Category: In the news“Measuring Mobile America” Initiative Tests Mobile Broadband Performance
The FCC’s Measuring Mobile America program initiative, the first nationwide mobile measurement program will, according to Chairman Genachowski, “extend the program to smartphones and other wireless devices. It will empower consumers and encourage improvements in mobile networks and programs, benefiting millions of Americans”. The FCC plans to work with the community and stakeholders to provide consumers with detailed information about the program’s performance. FCC News Public Notice
Category: In the newsFCC To Launch Incentive Auction Proceeding
On September 7, FCC Chairman Genachowski circulated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing rules for “incentive auctions” consistent with the 2012 spectrum legislation. The NPRM is schedule to be voted on at the FCC’s open September 28 meeting. The Chairman’s statement indicated that, along with the objective of freeing up more spectrum for licensed use, the proposals include a set-aside of broadcast spectrum for unlicensed use that would establish TV white spaces for a “super-Wi-Fi” in every US market. FCC News
Category: In the newsProceeding May Foreshadow T-Band Repurposing
A proceeding that EWA suspects will address the implementation of the T-Band repurposing provisions that were contained in the February 2012 Spectrum Reform legislation was put on FCC “circulation” by the Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau this past week. The item has been entitled, “Implementing Public Safety Broadband Provisions of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, PS Docket 12-94, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.”
Category: In the newsWoodbridge New Jersey Granted T-Band Waiver
The Township of Woodbridge, New Jersey received a favorable grant of its waiver request to swap T-Band frequencies to enable it to avoid interference to its public safety communications system. EWA had filed comments in support of the City’s waiver request back in early August 2012. Order
Category: EWA On Your SideLMCC Delegates Meet with FCC
This past week, LMCC Board members met with representatives from the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications and Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureaus to discuss the LMCC’s recommendations regarding trunked system frequency coordination and licensing rules. The LMCC’s recently adopted “Adjacent Channel Contour Values (“ACCV”) table was also covered, which will be used by the FCC’s Public Safety and Industrial/Business certified frequency advisory committees to identify incumbent licenses that will be recognized as affected parties for purposes of certifying applications for exclusive use channels in centralized and hybrid trunked radio communication systems pursuant to FCC Rule Section 90.187. The FCC staff requested clarification of the ACCV table in three areas, for which responses have been provided the FCC. LMCC Ex Parte Filing
Category: EWA On Your SideEWA Endorses Revised Fee Assessments
In recently filed comments, EWA endorsed the FCC’s goal of adopting a regulatory fee program that allocates the burden fairly among regulates and “provides sufficient flexibility to preserve an equitable distribution in a constantly evolving industry.” EWA also acknowledged that the FCC already had taken steps in this direction by reducing the regulatory fees for PLMRS licensees in 2012. EWA also reminded the Commission that the vast majority of activities conducted in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau had become increasingly unrelated to PLMR interests and impact since 1994, a trend that has only accelerated with the FCC’s emphasis on broadband services and stated that it would look forward to working with the FCC and other categories of licensees to develop an optimal process.
Category: EWA On Your SideEWA Supports NYC’s Narrowband Extension Request
EWA filed comments supporting New York City’s narrowband extension request, noting that the City has undertaken a substantial effort to comply with the January 1, 2013, date at a cost to the City that will reach more than $88,500,000. This effort has included replacing substantial numbers of subscriber radios and fixed infrastructure, including T-Band radios that the FCC recently determined would be exempt from the narrowband requirement. The City had requested that it not be required to narrowband FDNY and NYPD systems that are “closely interwoven with operations in T-Band” until two years after competitive bidding for that spectrum has been completed. The City stated further that if it were required to convert its UHF frequencies to 12.5 kHz now, while the T-Band facilities remain at 25 kHz bandwidth, “it would create a confusing mix of tactical channels with disparate coverage characteristics within the same user device,” a result contrary to the public interest. EWA agreed with this assessment.
Category: EWA On Your Side