Enterprise Wireless Insider® Volume 8, Issue 15

$600K Fine Levied Against Marriott for Wi-Fi Blocking

The FCC has entered into a Consent Decree with Marriott Corporation, requiring the company to pay a $600,000 fine for its intentional interference with and disabling of consumer Wi-Fi networks at the Gaylord Conference Center in Nashville.  The Consent Decree states that this blocking occurred when “these users did not pose a threat to the security of the Gaylord Opryland network or its network”. Further clarification may be needed to balance protection of consumer rights and the critical importance of protecting the security of private networks.  FCC Order

Wireless Services above 24 GHz

The FCC announced that they have begun examining the use of new frequency bands for mobile services to help meet the growing demand for spectrum. Specifically, based on a recommendation from the Technical Advisory Council, the FCC will release a Notice of Inquiry that seeks to broaden the Commission’s understanding of the state of the art in technological developments that might unlock spectrum use above 24 GHz for next-generation mobile wireless services. In lieu of waiting for technology to develop in a “potentially mismatched regulatory structure”, the Commission announced that it will start to examine and identify regulatory changes that might be necessary to enable the full development of this technology.  [GN Docket No. 14-177]

FCC Highlights Part 22 Spectrum Rules

The FCC has issued a reminder concerned with the technical rules associated with the use of Paging and Radiotelephone spectrum provided for within Part 20 and Part 22 of the Commission’s rules. At the same time, the Commission used the opportunity to seek comment on the benefits of providing greater technical and operational flexibility within the affected bands that might result in more intensive use.  EWA will be participating when comments are due on December 17, 2014.  Public Notice

FCC Plans to Eliminate Paper Licenses

The FCC has announced  its plans to stop providing paper copies of “Active” license authorizations to licensees and registrants unless specifically requested.  The Commission noted that “given the ease of access to the Internet the ubiquitous availability of electronic documents, and the high adoption rate by consumers of electronic delivery of many other documents, [they believe] that the time is ripe for modernizing the treatment of authorizations.”

The Commission has initiated “interim test period”, without a specified deadline, until the procedures are finalized. The Commission will consider comments on various aspects of these enhancements before finalizing procedures.

2014 Wireless Leadership Summit

The 2014 Wireless Leadership Summit, co-hosted by EWA and USMSS, and held at the Westin Downtown Denver from October 8-10, enjoyed record setting attendance with participants from all over the U.S. and more exhibiting companies than in any prior year.  A highlight of the event was the first public presentation on plans to enable a Private Enterprise Broadband opportunity at 900 MHz, which was presented by Morgan O’Brien and John Pescatore of Pacific DataVision, Inc. (PDV). PDV announced that it intends to pursue development through partnerships with existing wireless sales and service providers. Silent Auction bids and donations at the Summit garnered nearly $5,000 for the EWA-Joseph B. Vestal Endowed Scholarship at Old Dominion University.  EWA also held previews and demonstrations of the new version of Cevo® spectrum licensing web site and a half day “Licensing and Spectrum Essentials” Workshop.  

PDV Partners with EWA - (IWCE Urgent Communications)

Event Photos (Courtesy IWCE Urgent Communications)

800 MHz Interstitial

There are never any guarantees, but we have reason to believe that the FCC is nearing completion of drafting a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would eventually enable the use of the 12.5 kHz “interstitial” channels in the B/ILT and PS 800 MHz bands.  Nearly five years ago, EWA filed a Petition for Rulemaking requesting expanded use of these bands, which was supported by the LMCC who later provided technical frequency coordination guidelines.  Just recently, representatives from the PSHSB sought clarification concerning those technical processes, specifically concerned with the recommended use of  F(50/50) curves for interference analyses and the intention to conduct bi-directional contour analyses.