Enterprise Wireless Alliance, Volume 13, Issue 2

FCC Reopens, Extends Deadlines

• Filings due between January 3 and January 7 were due on January 30. 
• Filings due between January 8 and February 7 are due on February 8. 
• For ULS applications and notifications, filings under §1.913 (Applications) and under §1.946 (Construction and Coverage) that were to be filed from January 3 through February 8 are due on February 8. 
• Authorizations for Special Temporary Authority (STAs) that would have expired from January 3 through January 29 are extended until February 8. (DA 19-26) 

FCC Releases Compliance Guide for PLMR Spectrum

On February 4, 2019, the FCC published a compliance guide to help small businesses, organizations and governmental jurisdictions comply with FCC rules that have been revised as a result of the Report and Order and Order adopted in October 2018 that improves access to Private Land Mobile Radio Spectrum which includes the creation of the interstitial 12.5 kHz channels in the 800 MHz Band. Because the guide provides a comprehensive overview of the new rules, the Enterprise Wireless Alliance encourages its members and customers to review this publication. 

LMCC Suggests April 1 as Start Date for 800 MHz EB/GB Applications

The Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) has suggested that the FCC begin accepting applications for 800 MHz Expansion and Guard Band channels on April 1, 2019, a date by which the LMCC anticipates that the 800 MHz frequency advisory committees will have finalized a process to avoid the filing of mutually exclusive applications.  Of course, now that the FCC schedule is under such a state of flux, there is no telling if the FCC will either accept the suggested date or select another.  (WP 15-32; FCC 18-143)

IIoT Coalition to Address Shared Spectrum Strategy for 3.5 GHz

EWA will continue to participate as a member of the IIoT Coalition to discuss strategies to address the shared spectrum approach that the FCC continues to adopt in multiple proceedings. The Coalition plans to work with the FCC, NTIA and other Federal agencies on a coordinated approach to this issue. In addition to EWA, the IIot Coalition is comprised of Edison Electric Institute, GE, pdvWireless, the Port of Los Angeles, Southern Linc, Pacific Union and the Utilities Technology Council.

pdvWireless, Southern Linc & Others form Utility Broadband Alliance

The Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) has formed to advance the development and adoption of dedicated private broadband networks for utilities. Founding members include pdvWireless, Southern Linc, Cisco Systems, Federated Wireless, General Electric, Motorola Solutions and other utilities and wireless service providers.

Lexington Coal Fined for Unauthorized Transfer of Licenses

The FCC has proposed penalty of $25,000 against Lexington Coal Company, LLC for the “willful and repeated violation of Section 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), and Section 1.948 of the Commission’s rules (Rules)”. Lexington engaged in a substantial transfer of control of its stations from Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. in, 2017, without prior Commission consent, and did not report the transfer until four months after its conclusion. The FCC has a longstanding goal of ensuring that the transfer, assignment, and operation of wireless authorizations are in the public interest. (EB-IHD-19-00028365)