Enterprise Wireless Insider, Volume 13, Issue 8

FCC Reviewing Protocol for CSA Frequencies

The Monitoring Association (TMA) has delivered the LMCC-approved amended Consensus Protocol for coordinating central station frequencies to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) where it is under review. The FCC has received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the revised rule section requiring TMA concurrence as part of the coordination process for these frequencies. When the FCC approves the new Protocol, it will issue a Public Notice announcing filing procedures for this spectrum. EWA will conduct a brief webinar – date and time TBD – covering the processes necessary to potentially secure concurrence to use a central station alarm 450 MHz frequency pair.

6 GHz Tug of War Continues

While a group of oil producers and related companies led by Chevron have urged the FCC not to allow unlicensed 6 GHz operations in the Gulf of Mexico, US Cellular, the largest wireless operator after the big four, has endorsed the AT&T/Verizon/Comsearch proposed approach for protecting 6 GHz microwave systems from unlicensed use. (ET 18-295/FCC 18-147)

No Change to Reg Fees

• PLMRS (exclusive use) - $25; 
• PLMRS (shared use) - $10; 
• Microwave - $25; and 
• CMRS Messaging Services - $.08/unit.

T-Band Update

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has reported that Rep. Walden’s staff (the same office that insisted on extracting Public Safety (PS) T-Band in exchange for FirstNet spectrum) has circulated a discussion draft of legislation entitled “Secure T-Band Allocation and No Diversion Act of 2019.” The legislation would grant a three-year reprieve before T-Band would need to be reallocated and auctioned but not for States or political subdivisions that are diverting 9-1-1 fees for other purposes. Apparently, at least one of the targets is New York, whose representatives have been vocal about opposing the T-Band reallocation, but which has been flagged as a state where 9-1-1 fees have been diverted. FCC Commissioner O’Rielly has been leading the FCC charge against fee diversion, so it would not be surprising if he was a supporter of this initiative. The legislation would also direct the FCC to conduct a study on the use of the 4.9 GHz band, presumably with the expectation that it will be found “underutilized” and available for potential sharing with yet more unlicensed devices. One never knows, but it would seem unlikely that this proposed legislation will secure any traction given that it combines unrelated objectives. Public safety organizations will probably oppose the legislation. In the meantime, EWA plans to request that the FCC begin renewing T-Band licenses, conditioned on the outcome of whatever rulemaking they undertake assuming the current law is not changed, rather than holding them indefinitely. (PS 13-42)