Enterprise Wireless Insider, Volume 12, Issue 14

Central Station Alarm Channel Availability

Because of a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirement, access to Central Station Alarm channels made available through an omnibus Report & Order (R&O) involving many changes to private land mobile radio rules, will be delayed until early 2019. Specifically, the new rules governing access to these channels requires  Office of Management and Budget approval given that the certified CSA coordinator will have additional concurrence responsibilities.  Comments are due by January 2, 2019.

EWA and other interested Business/Industrial frequency advisory committees will be discussing channel availability, concurrence procedures and related activities with The Monitoring Association within the coming months.  (WP 16-261)   

LMCC Will Seek Reconsideration of 800 MHz Interstitial Order

The LMCC will request reconsideration of the FCC’s decision to use 50/10 interference contours in lieu of LMCC recommended 50/50 contours. In addition, the LMCC will note that the derated values adopted by the FCC are now incorrect by as much as 14 db, and if the FCC insists on utilizing 50/10 contours integral to future 800 Mhz coordination procedures, that the values need adjustments. Finally, the LMCC will note that 800 MHz manufacturers need the opportunity to weigh in on current and planned emission designators critical to the use of the adjacent channel interference matrix, regardless if 50/10 or 50/50 contours are used.  

IIoT Coalition to Promote Private Broadband at 3.5 GHz

The Industrial IoT Coalition (IIoT Coalition), of which EWA is a member, will continue working with the FCC, other Federal agencies, and the administration to promote the availability of spectrum for private broadband systems at manufacturing and distribution facilities, convention centers, ports and other such locations. If the spectrum is to be auctioned it should be available in amounts and over geography that could work for these types of operations. (GN 17-258; FCC 18-149)

EWA Meets with Texas Senator Cornyn on T-Band

Democrats in both the House and Senate have introduced legislation entitled “Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2018,” which seeks to rescind a 2012 Congressional mandate that public safety incumbents must leave the band so that it may be auctioned for yet more broadband purposes. On November 1, EWA and representatives from the American Petroleum Institute, the Utilities Technology Council, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs met with Sen. Cornyn’s (R-TX) staff to enlist his support for this initiative. The parties are attempting to schedule calls between T-band licensees in Texas and the Senator’s office. (PS 13-42)

Local Government Questions FCC Decision for Wireless Siting

While utilities and cable interests continue to battle over provisions relating to pole attachments in this proceeding, a joint Motion for Stay was filed by, among others, the National League of cities, US Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, National Association of Regional Councils, National Association of Towns and Townships, and individual cities and regional associations of cities. They argue that the FCC’s decision to limit to actual cost what municipalities may charge for installing sites on public ROWs, as well as other rules relating to wireless siting, are unconstitutional and well beyond what is permitted under the Communications Act.  (WT 17-79)

UTC, Others Press for Additional Part 22 Spectrum

In late October, representatives of UTC, and New York State Electric & Gas Corporation met with the advisors to FCC Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Michael O’Rielly to express support for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update the Part 22 Paging and Radiotelephone Service rules to provide greater flexibility and more intensive use of the band. The parties noted that utilities are constrained in their ability to deploy Part 22 channels but would like greater access, particularly for Smart Grid applications.

Recent Enforcement Actions for November 16, 2018

• Issued to Tawanna M. Brown, owner of Brooklyn LLC, for operating an FM radio station in the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania area.
• Issued to Mendy Amsel for operating an FM station in the Paterson, New Jersey area.
• Issued to John Palmeri for operating an FM station in Middletown, New York.