FCC Announces 800 MHz EB/GB Availability
By Public Notice (PN) released April 25, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced dates and procedures for submitting applications in the 800 MHz band for Expansion Band and Guard Band (800 MHz EB/GB) channels and “Sprint-vacated” spectrum in three National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) regions. In addition, the PN provided procedures and dates for submitting applications for 800 MHz EB/GB channels in the 21 NPSPAC regions where licensing of these channels had been deferred. The PN did not release 800 MHz EB/GB channels in all areas. EWA is unable to process any application that requests channels in unreleased areas and will return applications for licenses in the Mexican border region, Northern California, Nevada, and Arkansas.
Category: EWA On Your Side800 MHz FACs Sign MOA
- Changed the date on which pre-coordination will begin to May 16;
- Limits the number of channels requested per application to five;
- Establishes the order of applications through a date and time stamp; and
- Defines a review process, which will take place from May 17 to July 18, to identify and resolve instances of mutual exclusivity.
Protections for 6 GHz Incumbents
On April 22, AT&T, Verizon, and Comsearch filed a joint proposal for authorized unlicensed use in this band while “requiring rigorous technical analyses and adopting robust protections for licensed incumbent operations.” That proposal now has been endorsed by the Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition, one of the more adamant opponents of unlicensed use. Others continue to caution the FCC about potential interference, but it seems highly likely that the FCC will proceed with its proposal. The issue now is precisely what protection incumbents will receive and what happens if, or when, a critical path experiences interference from an unlicensed device. (ET 18-295/FCC 18-147)
Category: EWA On Your Side
3.5 GHz
On April 29, the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology announced the approval of Environmental Sensing Capabilities (ESCs) of several companies including Federated Wireless and Google. ESCs are intended to detect the presence of federal radar transmissions in the 3550-3650 MHz portion of the band and convey that information to SASs to prevent interference to radar operations. The SAS portion of the protection process is still a work in progress, the FCC will be ready to auction PAL licenses in 2020. (GN 15-319; DA 19-352)
Category: EWA On Your Side
EWA Welcomes Raghu Kanchi
Mr. Raghu Kanchi has joined EWA as Senior Software Developer. Mr. Kanchi will support EWA staff and customers by troubleshooting issues with our current programs, adding software features and new capabilities as necessary, and strengthening EWA’s legacy systems over time.
Category: In the newsAT&T NB-IoT Network Goes Live
In late April, AT&T launched its narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) network. This network gives AT&T another lower-power, wide-area network to AT&T a range of options for consumers. The NB-IoT network is intended for a range of Internet of Things (IoT) uses, including location tracing, connected streetlights, and other low-data-use monitoring applications.
Category: In the newsFCC Finds Blame for Pace of Michael Recovery
The FCC has released a report on its investigation into the preparation for and response to Hurricane Michael. The investigation blamed the slow restoration of wireless service in the Florida Panhandle in 2018 on “insufficiently resilient backhaul connectivity, inadequate reciprocal roaming arrangements, and lack of coordination between wireless service providers, power crews, and municipalities,” according to an announcement released May 9.
Category: In the news
Mea Culpa
Pastor Tito Paul received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation from the Enforcement Bureau for operating an unlicensed FM station from a multi-family dwelling in Brooklyn, New York.
Category: Enforcement Corner
Call Someone – Anyone!
The Rose Tree Fire Company No. 1 probably would not have had to wait five years for a waiver of the T-Band freeze to increase its antenna height from 19 to 47 meters if it had asked the FCC for a status update at some earlier point. The waiver was granted without issue, as it should have been, although the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau did condition it on capping the licensee’s future relocation expense reimbursement at the cost it would have incurred for replicating its pre-modification coverage. Since American Tower Corporation provided the antennas, materials, feed lines and labor to the fire company at no cost, it is unclear what costs would be involved other than the expenses of preparing the waiver request and the frequency coordination fee.
Category: Enforcement Corner