EWA Seeks Senate Support on T-Band
On May 2, 2018, delegates from the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA), the American Petroleum Institute, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Utilities Technology Council met with representatives from Senator Cruz’s (R TX) office to discuss the impact of the T-Band legislation on Industrial/Business (I/B) licensees in Houston and Dallas, two markets where I/B users predominate. The group encouraged Senator Cruz to introduce companion legislation in the Senate to H.R. 5085 (“Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act”), which was introduced a month ago in the House.
Category: EWA On Your Side
LMCC Seeks Break from T-Band Application Freeze
In a filing dated April 27, The Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) proposed that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) relax the application freeze on license modifications in the T-Band (470-512 MHz) for existing licensees.to allow incumbents (other than those licensed outside the 50-mile radius pursuant to waiver) to move/add sites without regard to their current contours and, also to relocate, exchange, and add frequencies. (PS 13-42)
Category: EWA On Your Side
EWA and pdvWireless Offer Refinements to 900 MHz PEBB Proposal
On May 2, EWA and pdvWireless filed Further Comments with the FCC that recommend revisions to the original proposal for Private Enterprise Broadband (PEBB) in the 900 MHz band. The reallocation of the 900 MHz band to allow for a broadband opportunity available exclusively to Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) and Business/Industrial Land Transportation (B/ILT) users would enable secure and reliable broadband for critical infrastructure and business enterprise. The revisions proposed increase protections against the possibility of interference, protecting incumbents, and ensure that PEBB service areas mirror more closely those of CII and B/ILT entities. The revisions are the result of conversations with incumbents in the band since the release of the original proposal in 2014. Since the filing of these Further Comments, Sensus, a primary opponent to the PEBB proposal, withdrew its objections because of the shift in the proposed location of the PEBB allocation.
Category: EWA On Your Side
EWA Meets with NAB on TV Channel 14 Repacking
EWA met with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to discuss how it may assist with communication efforts to current T-Band licensees regarding the repacking process following the Broadcast Incentive Auction of 2016. Presently, it is proposed that twenty-two (22) TV stations are to be “repacked” to channel 14 (470-476 MHz) which is directly adjacent to UHF land mobile radio users that operate within 460-469 MHz. Land mobile licensees have started to receive advisory alerts from an organization working on behalf of the affected TV stations regarding the potential for interference from the new Channel 14 stations and procedures that should be followed to address the opportunity for harmful adjacent channel interference from high-powered broadcast transmitters. EWA plans to contribute with outreach and educational efforts to wireless sales and service providers whose customers may be impacted by the FCC’s Channel 14 repacking assignments.
Category: EWA On Your Side
Register Your C-Band Satellite Receiver Now!
On April 19, 2018, the FCC issued a temporary freeze on applications for new or modified fixed satellite service earth stations and fixed microwave stations in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band and announced a 90-day window to file applications to register or license earth stations that are currently operating in that band. Registering your system provides usage information to the FCC as it seeks to potentially create new broadband opportunities for the 3.7-4.2 GHz band.
In August of 2017, the FCC released a Notice of Inquiry entitled “Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz” (NOI) which sought comment on frequency bands that could potentially support increased flexible broadband uses, including the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. Responses to the NOI questioned whether the Commission’s information about use of the band was complete and encouraged the FCC to identify unregistered earth stations before making changes to the operations permitted in the band.
During the freeze, which became effective April 19, 2018, the International Bureau will dismiss applications or portions of applications for new earth stations, new receive-only earth station registrations, and modifications to earth stations currently authorized to operate in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. An exception to the freeze is a 90-day window to register or license existing earth stations that have been constructed or operational as of April 19, which are unregistered or unlicensed. During this period, the International Bureau has granted a temporary waiver of the frequency coordination requirement in order to encourage more participation.
Under Part 25 of the Commission’s rules, applicants for earth station licenses and registrations must file FCC Form 312 Main Form, complete Form 312 Schedule B, remit the statutory application filing fee, and provide any additional information required by applicable rules. Applications must be filed electronically through IBFS at http:// http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs. A word of warning – the registration process is not for the faint of heart, and if you have a number of sites to register, start the process now. If you need assistance, please contact EWA.
Category: EWA On Your SideEWA Sets the Record Straight on LMCC Position on Priority Access
In a recent ex parte filing, EWA responded to an FCC filing submitted by WIA (formerly PCIA), whereby WIA repeated its opposition to the proposal made by the LMCC that requested granting incumbent 800 MHz licensees time-limited priority access to add Expansion Band (EB) and Guard Band (GB) channels to existing systems before opening the spectrum to new entrants. EWA reminded the FCC that sixteen (16) of the LMCC member organizations voted in favor of a filing window for incumbent licensees with WIA being the sole opponent. WIA also argued the LMCC proposal would limit innovation and technological advances in the 800 MHz band, suggesting new entrants would be the only source of innovation. EWA’s response suggested that, contrary to WIA’s wishful thinking, “incumbents are as likely to introduce innovation as are new entrants”. (WP 16-261)
Category: EWA On Your Side
EWA Supports Flexibility on Signal Boosters
EWA filed Comments on May 18 supporting elimination of the personal use restriction on Wideband Consumer Signal Boosters, accepting the proposed registration process for that use. It also recommended that the FCC establish criteria for extending this flexibility to other bands as they come online, rather than having to conduct additional rulemakings. Reply Comments are due on June 18. (DA 17-220; WT 10-4)
Category: EWA On Your Side
4.9 GHz News
While appreciative of the request, EWA respectively declined an invitation to join a developing coalition being organized to provide public safety primary access, commercial interests primary access and, Business/Industrial Land Transportation entities secondary access all under auspices of a Spectrum Administrator in the 4.9 GHz band. At present, EWA still supports co-equal eligibility for both public safety and Business/Industrial Land Transportation (B/ILT) entities, opposes commercial access, and supports spectrum management participation by B/ILT frequency advisory committees. (WP 07-100)
Category: EWA On Your Side
UHF Central Station Channel Access Protocols
The LMCC and The Monitoring Association jointly submitted ex parte Comments defining the agreed upon protocols for coordinating Section 90.35(c)(63) frequencies that had been designated for alarm reporting use. Unless the FCC chooses to pull this issue out of the broader 16-261 rulemaking proceeding, these protocols will become effective along with whatever rule changes are adopted in that proceeding. (WP Docket 16-261)
Category: EWA On Your Side
Analytical 6 GHz Discord
The battle of the technical studies continues – and continues. Microsoft and Google continue to defend the RKF Engineering report from opposition from Aviat Networks and others. The RKF Engineering report concluded that unlicensed Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) devices could be deployed nationwide in this band using “established RLAN mitigation techniques and regulatory constraints similar to those applied in the neighboring 5 GHz band” without causing interference to fixed microwave facilities. The recent filing from Aviat opposing the report’s findings listed almost 200 signatories, including Verizon, Motorola, T-Mobile, various states and municipalities, and Chevron. EWA was not among those signing the letter as it did not participate during the engineering firm selection process. (GN 17-183)
Category: EWA On Your Side
Each State Has Its Own Unique Hands-Free Laws
Although the state of Georgia’s distracted driving law (effective July 1)exempts commercial two-way radio usage, it nevertheless prohibits school bus drivers from using either a wireless telecommunications device or two-way radio while loading or unloading passengers. The new law further prohibits school bus drivers from using a wireless telecommunications device when the bus is in motion, unless the device is used in a manner similar to a two-way radio to allow communication with school or public safety officials.
Category: In the news
Recent Enforcement Actions, May 30, 2018
- Optec Displays admits that it marketed its LED signs without the required equipment authorization, labeling and user manual disclosures, in violation of FCC Rules, and will pay a civil penalty of $54,000.
- InTradenet Enterprise (doing business as Vantage LED) admits that it marketed LED signs without the required equipment authorization, labeling and user manual disclosures, in violation of FCC Rules. Vantage will implement a compliance plan and will pay a $15,000 civil penalty.
- A Notice of Unlicensed Operation and Notification of Harmful Interference to LV.Net of Las Vegas, Nevada, after receiving a complaint from the Federal Aviation Administration. LV.Net was operating at 5660 MHz, producing harmful interference to an FAA Terminal Doppler Weather Radar operating at 5645 MHz. The FCC directed LV.Net to cease operations immediately and not to resume until the harmful interference is resolved.
- A Notice of Unlicensed Operation to the company Rand Redhots of Des Plaines, Illinois for operating on 465.0375 MHz without a license.