EWA Files Comments in 900 MHz Proceeding
- While the electric utilities have much to gain from a broadband option at 900 MHz, there are many business enterprises involved in transportation, manufacturing and agriculture, among other industries, that will also benefit from this opportunity;
- Eventually, there may be advantages of a 5/5 MHz broadband allocation, but the FCC should start with a 3/3 MHz service and evaluate its progress before considering realignment of the entire band;
- Consideration should be given to EWA’s Petition for Rulemaking which proposes that 800 MHz Guard Band spectrum be reserved as “green space” for relocating incumbents from 900 MHz and for Business/Industrial/Land Transportation incumbents displaced from T-Band;
- The transition process should include both an initial voluntary period and thereafter a means of addressing holdouts to avoid giving individual licensees effectively a veto power over broadband in their area;
- In all instances, incumbents must be provided with comparable facilities and their retuning costs must be paid by the broadband licensee; and
- EWA does not support the use of an incentive auction either as a backstop to prevent holdouts or as an initial method of band clearing.
EWA Speaks at North America TETRA Forum Seminar
EWA’s Mark Crosby and Robin Cohen were invited to a seminar hosted by the North America TETRA Forum at Flint Hills Refinery, Inver Grove, Minnesota, to discuss current regulatory affairs that impact TETRA deployments. In addition, they discussed techniques for successfully acquiring licenses for TETRA systems.
Category: In the news
Recent Enforcement Actions for June 10, 2019
St. Louis Radio Stations Face License Cancellation
Entertainment Media Trust (EMT) will face a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge to determine whether it violated the Communications Act and FCC rules. Allegedly, the stations have been under the control of a convicted felon. While the FCC has found significant evidence that Robert Romanik exercised de facto control over the stations, that he established EMT, and that he provided the funds for the purchase of four AM radio stations in the St. Louis area, Mr. Romanik is not listed as a party in any of EMT’s license applications. If found to have committed these violations, EMT’s licenses may be cancelled.
Those Pesky Transfers of Control - REDUX
Nutrien, Ltd, a Canadian company, did not understand that it needed consent from the BEFORE consummating two transactions where it bought the stock of companies with a collective 210 licenses. In the always mysterious FCC fine calculation process, they received a $24,000 fine pursuant to their consent decree with the Commission, while Constellation Club Parent, Inc. agreed to pay $24,975 a few weeks ago for a single transaction involving only 108 licenses.
Notice of Unlicensed Operation and Notification of Harmful Interference
The FCC Enforcement Bureau identified Joseph Foster of Island Park, New York, as the source of unauthorized transmissions on frequencies used for emergency response in Nassau County, New York. Further, the unauthorized transmissions caused harmful interference to public safety operations. Mr. Foster was told that they had ten days from receipt of the notice to respond in writing, providing the steps he will take to avoid such behavior in the future.
Category: Enforcement Corner