Enterprise Wireless Insider, Vol. 11, No. 5

6 GHz Microwave Decision Remains Active

On April 26, 2017, the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA), Utilities Technology Council (UTC) and other frequency advisory committees visited Commissioners’ offices to discuss the recent granting of a waiver request, which allows Higher Ground LLC to use C-band satellite spectrum in the 3700-4200 and 5925-6425 MHz bands to deploy up to 50,000 earth stations hooked to smart phones. The request to stay the effectiveness of the waiver remains pending. 

SMR Includes Private Wireless!

EWA plans to remind the FCC that the category of Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) includes Part 90 users and does not exclusively refer to cellular services. The FCC’s persistent, limited view of SMR can have consequences for Part 90 licensees, often leading to additional regulatory burdens. EWA plans to file comments in a proceeding that proposes to collect all of the rules pertaining to cellular service into one section – Section 27. In its comments, EWA will advocate for leaving the rules pertaining to SMR in its current location because SMR is used by private wireless as well as cellular providers. 

EWA Meets with PSHSB Staff

EWA met with Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) officials earlier this month to discuss several pending matters. Take aways included that an Order regarding 800 MHz Interstitial Channels has been drafted and sent to the Chairman’s office for re-view; that the 4.9 GHz Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding this 50 MHz that had been removed from circulation earlier this year now is undergoing additional scrutiny in the Bureaus before being resent to the Chairman’s office; and that the PSHSB is fully aware of the approaching deadline regarding T-Band, including the fact that it must begin a system of competitive bidding by February 2021.  

Wilson Urges FCC to Adopt Change without NPRM

Considering the unanimous support for eliminating the “personal use” restriction on the operation of all consumer signal boosters and the robust record developed in response to the Public Notice seeking comment on the question, Wilson Electronics has urged the FCC to adopt the change without a further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. It noted that FCC Rule Section 1.407 permits the Commission to proceed directly from a petition for rulemaking to issuing a final order if it finds that notice and public comment are not required. EWA filed comments in support of the petition. 

WIA and M2M Urge No Preference

The Wireless Infrastructure Association (formerly PCIA) and their close colleagues at Spectrum Networks Group (Smartcomm, M2M, SNG and others) met with Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) staff earlier this month to suggest that no “undue preference” be given to incumbents in the 800 MHz band for access to Expansion Band and Guard Band channels. EWA and other organizations support a time-limited opportunity for incumbents to access these channels. While not agreeing to the same proposal, all frequency advisory committees except WIA recommend some priority access for incumbents. 

Pai Announces Formation of Office of Economics and Data

In a speech delivered April 5 before the Hudson Institute, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai an-nounced the establishment of an Office of Economics and Data (OED), stating it is “time to restore the place of economic analysis at the FCC.” A working group will probe the value of the idea and ask questions that will determine the structure, focus, composition and other key matters related to the office.

3.65 GHz Grandfathered Protection Zones

The WTB released a Public Notice (DA 17-340) announcing the four-month filing window and procedures for defining the Grandfathered Wireless Protection Zone for 3.65 GHz li-censees. These zones are available only for stations in the 3650-3700 MHz band that reg-istered by April 17, 2015, and were operational by April 17, 2016. Licensees that do not meet the deadline for this filing window will be permitted to continue operating, but will not receive protection from new Citizens Broadband Radio Service operations. However, the protection zone is limited to a transition period of five years after the adoption date of the 3.5 GHz Order. 

800 MHz TA Certifies Completion of Florida

The TA certified completion of rebanding in NPSPAC Region 9, Florida, in an April 6 letter to the PSHSB. Presumably EB/GB spectrum will not be made available for licensing in this Region until the FCC adopts access policies.  

A Denial Four Years in the Making

On April 14, the FCC denied a request from Santa Clara County, California to add T-Band sites more than the permitted 80 km (50 miles) from San Francisco. The proposed sites also were less than the required distance from both co-channel and adjacent channel television stations.  The County’s applications were filed originally on November 3, 2011, and were amended to request a waiver of the filing freeze on April 3, 2013. In its applications, the County argued that its responsibilities had expanded to include areas not covered from its existing facilities and that this system is needed for interoperability purposes in the area.  

The PSHSB denied the request noting that, by its terms, the freeze applied to pending appli-cations such as the County’s and that it was intended to “stabilize the spectral environment while the Commission determines how to implement the Spectrum Act.” It also noted that the recent Incentive Auction resulted in an 84 MHz reduction of TV spectrum and allowing geographic expansion of land mobile use outside their prescribed areas would complicate TV repacking. 

T-Band Fact Sheet Has Critical Information

Last year, the FCC released a fact sheet providing answers to common questions about T-Band and the Middle-Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. The fact sheet provides relevant and pertinent information, such as the following: 

Q:   When will funds be available to T-Band public safety incumbents for relocation?
A:    The Act does not address these contingencies. However, in implementing the Act, the Commission is committed under any scenario to ensuring the continuity of T-Band licensees’ public safety mission-critical communications.

Q:   Should T-Band public safety licensees continue to maintain their existing T-Band systems?  Are there steps they should take to prepare for relocation?
A:   T-Band public safety licensees should continue to maintain existing systems as needed. However, we remind licensees of the freeze on new or expanded T-Band operations, and we advise T-Band licensees, in conjunction with their frequency coordinators, state and local governments, and interoperability partners to begin consideration of transition options consistent with the statutory timeframes described above.