Enterprise Wireless Insider, Volume 13, Issue 12

T-Band Applications – Days Are Numbered

In a meeting scheduled for August 22 with the FCC, EWA will discuss several important member issues including the status of T-Band license renewals, to what extent T-Band license modifications will be processed in the future if at all, and the need to increase communications between the FCC and its certified frequency advisory committees so that licensees may be alerted to changing licensing policies. In a related matter,  FCC staff recently advised EWA that the Commission does not have a specific rule that would preclude requests by Business/Industrial Land Transportation (B/ILT) applicants for wide areas of operation, but that those applicants may have their applications returned with a requirement to provide justification to the FCC why a large area of operation is necessary. EWA will issue licensing advisories to its members regarding these FCC conversations.  

No Surprises During B/ILT FAC Meeting with FCC

Following up on a letter filed with the FCC, the seven B/ILT certified frequency advisory committees (FACs) met with WTB staff seeking confirmation of certain rules and policies governing access to exclusive use channels in the VHF and UHF bands.  Meeting results were mixed, with the FCC permiting the use of Longley-Rice propagation contours to determine system overlaps and, confirming that MO channel designations paired with an FB8 channel designation are to be protected as if they were an MO8. The FCC did not agree with the FACs request that it should be necessary to treat only an 80 km area of operation for mobile only systems as primary and, any area greater as secondary. The FCC also stated that the safe harbor table would be strictly enforced regardless of an applicant’s system requirements. It was recommended that any rule changes would have to be addressed through a formal petition for rulemaking. 

Central Station Alarm Spectrum

On July 31, frequency coordinators, including EWA, submitted applications for central station alarm (CSA) channels to The Monitoring Association (TMA) for concurrence. TMA will complete concurrence reviews by August 20. Prior to the July 31 submission date, an entity claiming CSA eligibility, filed a number of applications for CSA channels which TMA was required to process. However, TMA’s processing of the applications included an exhibit in which it questioned the applicant’s eligibility as a central station organization, the resolution of which rests entirely with the FCC. Should the Commission dismiss the  applications based on eligibility, TMA may open a second filing window.

APCO Raises 6 GHz Concerns

In a letter dated August 7, APCO International reiterated concerns with the FCC proposal to introduce unlicensed operations into the 6 GHz band and stated that technical solutions for mitigating potential interference remain unconvincing. In the letter, APCO stated that “Even if the Commission is able to develop strong protections and an Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system is proven effective for protecting incumbent users, APCO is further concerned that consumers or manufacturers could defeat the technical limitations or AFC controls.  With hundreds of millions of unlicensed devices in the stream of commerce, when interference occurs, it will be impossible to identify and eliminate the source.  This could result in irreparable loss of mission critical communications and leave public safety without recourse.” APCO concluded by advocating for further research before moving forward with the proposal, echoing the comments of EWA and others in the industry.

Certification Training at the 2019 Wireless Leadership Summit

Are you a radio technician looking for training that can help enhance your value and the contributions you can make to your company? 

• Distributed Antenna Systems & BDAs: October 21-22
• General Communications Technician – Level 1 (GCT1): October 23-24

FCC Launches Fraud Division to Combat USF Misuse

On August 12, the FCC launched a new Fraud Division within the Enforcement Bureau in order to combat fraud, especially that related to the misuse of the Universal Service Fund. 

Pai Proposes Maintaining RF Exposure Limits

On August 8, the FCC announced a proposal from Chairman Ajit Pai that would maintain the FCC’s existing radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits. The proposal would also establish a uniform set of guidelines for ensuring compliance with the limits regardless of the service or technology. Further, Pai proposes that the FCC seek formal comment on establishing rules that formalize its current methods of determining compliance with the RF exposure standard for high-frequency devices.

New FAA Tower Marking Requirements

New Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require landowners to mark all towers on their properties that are between 50 and 200 feet and to add the towers to a new database that the FAA is developing. The new requirements are the result of provisions in the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016 and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. Under the provisions in these laws, meteorological evaluation towers (METs) meeting the requirements stipulated in the bills must be both marked and logged in to the FAA database. Communication towers of the same size have the option to be either marked or logged in the FAA database. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 requires this database to be functional by October 2019. The FAA is finalizing the marking requirements for these towers, but they are expected to be similar to the standards found in FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1L.

D.C. Circuit Affirms FCC 2018 Infrastructure Reform in Part

• The exemption of most small cell construction from historic-preservation and environmental reviews; and 
• The reduction of the role of recognized Indian Tribes in reviewing proposed construction of microcell towers and other wireless facilities.

DOJ Greenlights Sprint/T-Mobile Merger

Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) approved the merger of Sprint Corporation and T-Mobile US Inc., after agreeing to sell a host of 800 MHz assets to DISH. However, thirteen states and the District of Columbia filed an antitrust lawsuit before DOJ gave its approval. The group seem to be moving forward with the lawsuit, which may be more complicated following DOJ approval.