But Did The Interference Go Away?
Atlanticare Medical Center EMS, owner and operator of private land mobile facilities in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey was fined $4,000 for operating a transmitter at an unauthorized location. What’s interesting about this case, however, is that the investigation started because a co-channel licensee complained about harmful interference from an unidentified digital transmitter. It turns out that Atlanticare was not authorized to operate from the location causing the interference and was licensed for analog not digital operations. They have since been issued an STA (WQRF240) to operate from the previously unauthorized site with a proper digital emission designator. EWA wonders what the co-channel licensee now thinks since the system it claims was causing interference is now properly licensed. Do licensed transmitters cause less interference than unlicensed transmitters?
Category: Enforcement CornerSprint Vacated Spectrum
EWA will keep its members informed of filing requirements associated with this new tranche of spectrum which is initially reserved for public safety applicants. Before the government shutdown, the FCC had announced that October 29, 2013, would be the next filing window for additional Sprint Vacated Spectrum in the 809-815/854-860 MHz band (Channels 231-470). On October 15, 2013, the pre-filing coordination notification process for frequency coordinators to address and resolve conflicting applications started. Applicants that receive licenses are reminded that they must provide 30 days notice to Sprint before they activate a channel. Additional records will be updated in the Vacated Channel Search Engine (VCSE) by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. Public Notice
Category: In the newsNew Officers and Board Members at EWA
New members of the Board of Directors were announced during EWA’s annual membership meeting held on October 2 during the 2013 Wireless Leadership Summit in St. Louis, namely Michael Fordinal, DFW Communications; Jenna Lacouette, New York Communications; and Thomas Warman, First Group America. The new officers are Bart Fisher, Fisher Wireless, Chairman of the Board; Catherine Leonard, Comtronics, Vice Chair of the Board; and William Jenkins, Sprint, Treasurer. At the membership meeting, long time board member and industry veteran George Lockhart officially announced that he is stepping down from the EWA board. The full board, executive committee and officers appear on EWA’s website.
First Joseph B. Vestal Endowed Scholarship Awarded
Christopher Bowles, an undergraduate at Old Dominion University (ODU), Norfolk, Virginia, has been awarded the first Joseph B. Vestal Endowed Scholarship. This EWA program, administered by ODU’s Student Development Office, recognizes and financially supports students who are planning professional careers in the wireless industry. On commenting on the winning essay submitted by Mr. Bowles, EWA’s President Mark Crosby noted that EWA “was particularly impressed with his passion to facilitate and enhance daily life experiences through technology advancements and wireless applications.” Learn more about the Joseph B. Vestal Endowed Scholarship here.
Category: EWA On Your SideEWA Supports Use of Band Edge Waiver
EWA filed comments supporting a request from Mobile Relay Associates to use currently unallocated 6.25 kHz frequency pairs for control channel purposes in four metropolitan areas. The frequencies are not currently designated for use by Industrial/Business (I/B) users as they served as guard band channels between Part 90 I/B and General Mobile Radio Service channels. With the advent of narrowbanding equipment, however, new systems may operate without compromising the purposes of the guard band. EWA also noted that since the FCC has allocated no spectrum in decades for I/B Part 90 users, it should approve this limited additional capacity based on a showing of non-interference to already authorized licensees.
Category: EWA On Your SideShould There Be Exceptions to Narrowbanding?
The FCC recently denied a waiver request submitted by Ascend Performance Material for a permanent waiver of the narrowband mandate requirement. Ascend uses wideband technology entirely within its closed facilities to remotely control unmanned vehicles. In its comments, EWA stated that while it is a strong supporter of narrowbanding and related enforcement, there may be instances in which continued wideband operation would not compromise the narrowbanding objectives. While it took no position on Ascend’s specific request, EWA noted that their use of a small number of wideband, low-power transmitters within an enclosed facility might not be harmful to others, particularly if the licensee accepted secondary status.
Category: EWA On Your SideEWA Pursues Spectrum Fairness in Colorado
In a letter to the FCC regarding EWA’s Petition for Reconsideration of the waiver issued to Weld County, Colorado which sought access to two 800 MHz B/ILT channels, EWA suggested that the County should instead secure authority to use two Nextel-vacated channels that are reserved for applicants such as the County. The FCC set aside the grant in response to EWA’s Petition and the County later claimed that it would incur additional costs should it have to change frequencies. EWA reminded the County and the FCC that economic issues do not justify waiver relief, but noted should the FCC designate the two Nextel-vacated frequencies for future B/ILT use, EWA would withdraw its objection.
Category: EWA On Your SideRequest for Conditional Licensing Authority Granted
Following a request made by EWA earlier this year, the Commission granted EWA’s request for waiver of the conditional licensing rules for applications for spectrum above 470 MHz (90.159(b)). Applications that meet the conditional licensing rules and received at the FCC prior to October 1 are covered by this waiver, so operations may begin based on the parameters of the pending application. EWA believes that conditional licensing is appropriate for all Part 90 bands, and intends to file a petition requesting that the Commission amend its rules to permit this flexibility above 470 MHz.
Category: EWA On Your Side