A Jamming Science Project?
Johnsburg High School in Illinois was recently issued a “Notice of Unauthorized Operation and Interference to Licensed Radio Stations” for deploying a radio device designed to jam licensed cellular radio transmissions. All radio transmitters must be licensed and rules prohibit “willful or malicious interference with any radio communications” and the operation of devices “deliberately designed to jam or disrupt wireless communications.” It is believed that the school was simply attempting to limit student use of cell phones, rather than this being a case of a successful science project.
Category: Enforcement CornerAnd now from 1965!
Markenson Brazile, a Miami, Florida disk jockey, was issued a $20,000 fine for operating an unlicensed radio station from his residence on frequency 103.9 MHz on June 16, 2010, and again on June 29, 2010.
The Commission discovered that the signals from the property “exceeded the limits of operation under Part 15 of the Commission’s rules, and therefore required a license.” In addition to these two instances in 2010, Mr. Brazile also admitted to operating an unlicensed radio frequency in Port St. Lucia, Florida on two other occasions in August 2007. According to the FCC, these actions constitute a “deliberate disregard for the Commission’s requirements” and are considered “willful and repeated.” Consequently, the base forfeiture of $10,000 was increased to $20,000. No mention was made of the type of music being illegally broadcast. Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture
Genachowski Budget Speech Focuses on, Well, Broadband
On March 30, 2011, FCC Chairman Genachowski spoke about the agency’s 2011-12 budget specifically focusing on the importance of broadband connectivity and communications technology to the growth of the national economy and our global competitiveness, noting “We cannot be complacent in our work or we will suffer the consequences of this inaction.” He also highlighted studies indicating that the U.S. is “losing ground to our global competitors.” Genachowski stated that, even with limited resources, much improvement has been made in terms of fulfilling its Congressional mandate “to ensure that all Americans have access to a robust communications infrastructure for a wide range of purposes.” FCC Chairman Statement
Category:FCC Reviewing TETRA Potential
A couple of years back, an organization calling itself simply the TETRA Association requested certain rule waivers to Parts 2 and 90 that would permit Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) technology to be used in the United States. The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology last sought comments on the matter in January 2010 at which time the LMCC filed brief comments concerning the potential for increased interference given TETRA’s operational characteristics. We are unsure what the Wireless Telecommunications is proposing, but the matter is now “on circulation” among all of the FCC Commissioner offices. FCC Public Notice
Category: In the newsIntrinsically Safe Mobile Issue at TIA
The inaugural meeting of the Telecommunications Industry Association special engineering subcommittee to discuss the potential for new standards for Intrinsically Safe (IS) mobile devices will be held April 7 in Seattle, Washington. This TR-8.21 subcommittee, with the support of EWA, the LMCC and other industry organizations, is seen as a responsible approach to review and identify as necessary, revised IS standards.
Category: In the newsMore Sprint Vacated 800 MHz channels?
Sprint asked for and received a further extension to March 31, 2012, to vacate 800 MHz channels in nine non-border NPSPAC 800 MHz Public Safety Regions. While granting relief in nine regions, Sprint still had to meet the March 31, 2011, deadline established for 12 other NPSPAC regions. The FCC will issue a Public Notice to announce a filing window and application procedures for these vacated channels. FCC Order
Category: In the newsFlying Birds, Towers and Public Disclosures
The FCC is seeking comments on proposed registration rules that are designed to ensure that the environmental effects of proposed communication towers, including their effects on migratory birds, are fully considered prior to construction. Under proposed procedures, members of the public would be given an opportunity to comment on the environmental effects of the proposed construction, the tower applicant would be required to provide notice of the proposal to the local community; and the FCC would post information on its website. Fortunately, on an interim basis, environmental assessments need only be conducted for proposed towers more than 450 feet in height to address its potential impact on birds passing through the area. FCC Public Notice
Category: In the newsCPNI Forfeitures Stayed
We know not why, but the FCC has again decided not to impose $20,000 forfeitures on a number of telecommunications carriers for their purported failure to abide by Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) policies. The FCC noted that the reprieves were based on information provided by each company detailing why no forfeiture should be imposed for CPNI non-compliance. FCC Notice of Apparent Liability and Forfeiture FCC Order
WTB Renames Tech Division
The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has announced that its Spectrum Management, Resources and Technologies Division is changing its name to the Technologies, Systems and Innovation Division. Under either name, the primary function of the division is to manage the resources of the WTB including its automated systems and web-based resources. FCC News
Category: In the newsBanished to a Footnote?
The FCC is working diligently towards “repurposing” the TV bands to support the spectrum requirements of its national broadband objectives. In this critical regulatory proceeding, however, the LMCC couldn’t help but notice that the Commission’s acknowledgement of the business, industrial and public safety incumbents operating on channels 14-20 was relegated to a footnote stating that it “would address appropriate changes … in the event that we were to decide to recover spectrum now used by those services.” Obviously, this assurance is not very comforting. In comments filed on March 18, the LMCC reminded the FCC that these licensees are subject to the narrowbanding requirement and stated that “The FCC’s suggestion that it may reclaim 470-512 MHz spectrum from Part 90 incumbents who have just been required to invest in improved technology certainly will not facilitate the efforts of LMCC member organizations that are trying to assist the Commission by promoting narrowband migration within their constituencies.” Reply Comments are due on April 18.
Category: EWA On Your Side