Auction 92 Announced
The FCC released a Public Notice announcing Auction 92, which will offer 16 700 MHz A and B Block licenses that remain unsold, or on which the previous winning bidder defaulted. The auction is scheduled to commence on July 19, 2011. FCC DA 10-2298
Category: In the newsComments Due on Dynamic Spectrum Use Technologies
The FCC released a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on November 30, 2010, asking for comment on the ways dynamic spectrum access radios and techniques may promote more intensive and efficient use of the radio spectrum. As the NOI has now been published in the Federal Register, Comments are due on February 28th and Reply Comments on March 28th. FCC 10-198. November 30, 2010
Category: In the newsWave Four 800 MHz Rebanding Deadline Extended Again
April 1, 2011, is the new deadline for 800 MHz licensees in the Wave 4 U.S.-Mexico border region. Extending the negotiation period, according to the FCC, “…will alleviate administrative burdens on licensees, avoid unnecessary rebanding expenditures and provide additional time for resolution of border issues and issuance of frequency designations by the 800 MHz Transition Administrator.” In an Order released on December 30, 2010, the FCC addressed the extension of the original June 26, 2008, deadline to complete rebanding from non-border areas licensees, granting some requests and directing other incumbents to submit additional information. The FCC also extended the rebanding financial reconciliation “true-up” date to June 30, 2011, and it will most probably be extended again.
FCC DA 10-2431 FCC DA 10-2432 FCC DA 10-2442
EWA at the GLMSS Meeting
Mark Crosby, EWA President, will be providing a “spectrum landscape” presentation on current FCC broadband and general wireless policy initiatives; and Nancy Gruen and Ellen Fishel will be on hand to answer attendee questions on new EWA membership, spectrum and technology solution services. The GLMSS meeting will be held from February 10-11, 2011, at the Don Cesar Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. GLMSS EWA
Category: EWA On Your SideEWA and USMSS’ “Enterprise Wireless 2011” Venue Selected
The Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee will be the site and October 5-7, 2011, will be the dates for the EWA and USMSS co-hosted “Enterprise Wireless 2011” event. Mark your calendars now and further details will be sent to you throughout 2011. Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville
Category: EWA On Your SideJanuary 2011 Narrowbanding Deadline Affecting Applications
Effective this date, the FCC no longer accepts applications that would expand the service area of existing wideband (25 kHz) systems. As a certified frequency advisory committee, EWA has an obligation to the FCC to submit only applications for processing that comply with this narrowbanding provision. EWA now must conduct additional propagation analyses for any application that may be affected by this policy prior to certification and FCC application submittal. We have already had to advise several applicants that their requests to modify 25 kHz based systems cannot be processed without further technical amendments or license modification to deploy 12.5 kHz or better channel bandwidths. Specific instances have included requests to increase transmitter output power and site relocations.
Category: EWA On Your SideNo Mercy for Unlicensed Use
Regardless of what appeared to be a rational explanation on how they inadvertently failed to renew one of their licenses for 30 months after its expiration, Call Mobile, Inc., Lexington, Kentucky, received no mercy from the FCC who appears to be using this enforcement case as a way to send a clear message to other licensees. The FCC issued a $10,000 base forfeiture to Call Mobile for operating an unlicensed system, added a $3,000 fine for failing to file a timely renewal application, and then added an additional $2,000 fine noting that the Commission is “mindful of the fact that the reduced forfeiture amounts applied in past cases do not appear to be creating sufficient incentives for all PLMRS licensees to monitor their license expiration dates and timely seek renewal.” FCC DA 11-8, Notice of Apparent Liability
If you are not already a Premier Member, it might be a good idea to have EWA check your licenses or your customers’ licenses to verify FCC renewal compliance. It doesn’t seem to matter how many renewal notices some licensees receive from the FCC or “other commercial sources,” renewals are often overlooked. Contact Judy Wilson at 703.797.5141 or Judy.Wilson@enterprisewireless.org and request a review of your licenses.
FCC Narrowbanding Workshop
As a reminder, the FCC is hosting a Narrowbanding Workshop from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. EST on January 26, 2011, at its Washington, D.C. offices. The workshop is open to the public and a live simultaneous broadcast will be available on the FCC’s web page http://reboot.fcc.gov/live. Members are encouraged to tune in to the live broadcast, but be assured that EWA will update the membership if any “new” news is reported during this event. FCC PN December 23, 2010
Category: EWA On Your Side