FCC Authorizes EWA as MBAN Coordinator
On November 6, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice announcing that the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) has been authorized to serve as the frequency coordinator for Medical Body Area Networks (MBAN) in the 2390-2400 MHz band. As stated in the Public Notice, “MBAN technology will provide a flexible platform for the wireless networking of multiple body transmitters used for measuring and recording physiological parameters and other patient information or for performing diagnostic or therapeutic functions, primarily in health care facilities.” MBANs will share spectrum with Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry (AMT) operations. As coordinator, EWA will ensure that use of the MBAN devices does not cause interference to AMT operations in the band.
“EWA is honored to have been selected by the FCC for this important role,” said EWA President Mark Crosby. “We have begun developing an online system for MBAN registration, and we look forward to facilitating the use of this advanced technology by healthcare facilities and, of course, working closely with the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council® to promote and optimize spectrum sharing and collaboration.”
Category: EWA On Your SideLMCC Seeks Confirmation on Status of Noncompliant Wideband Licenses
On November 4, in an ex parte letter, the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) asked the Wireless Telecommunications and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureaus to confirm the intent of FCC Rule Section 90.187(d)(ii)(1)(D). Today, Business/Industrial Land Transportation and Public Safety frequency advisory committees routinely process requests for exclusive use channels (FB8/MO8) without regard to licenses that identify only a non-compliant, wideband emission designator. Justification for this frequency coordination procedure is based on an understandable interpretation of this rule section to mean that wideband-only licenses are not affected parties, have no spectrum rights, and would be obligated to vacate the channel in order to address the interference it might receive and/or cause. Some and perhaps all coordinators attempt to avoid instances of interference by notifying applicants for FB8/MO8 channels of the presence of wideband-only license that would be considered an affected license if it were authorized for narrowband operation.
Recently, however, an FCC representative advised that frequency advisory committees were to assume that the non-compliant licenses should be considered as operating the minimum acceptable narrowband emission designator, which necessitated the LMCC confirmation letter. Since exclusive use channels are being certified and licensed with perhaps the presence of non-compliant wideband operations, the LMCC also requested the FCC to eliminate the Universal Licensing System (ULS) tool that presently allows “licensees” to modify from exclusively non-compliant to compliant emission designators without prior frequency coordination.
Category: EWA On Your SideEWA Supports Public Comment on Denied UHF Waiver
On November 3, EWA advised the FCC that it supported the October 22 Petition for Reconsideration filed jointly by applicants whose waiver requests to license narrowband digital systems on several specific channels there were not previously available for licensing were denied. EWA agreed with the arguments presented in the Petition and urged the FCC to put the applications on Public Notice, stating that, “A more complete record on this issue will assist the Commission in determining whether the public interest is better served by leaving this spectrum vacant or whether it can be used by the Applicants without compromising the operations of other systems or FCC spectrum management goals.”
Category: EWA On Your SideFCC Seeks Comment on FirstNet Incumbent Relocation Proposal
One of the outstanding issues in the effort to create a 700 MHz nationwide broadband public safety system, has been how to handle narrowband incumbents deployed in the 758-769/788799 MHz band that now has been reallocated for broadband use. By Public Notice on November 5, the PSHSB has requested comment on a relocation proposal submitted by FirstNet, which states that it expects a federally funded relocation grant program to be available in early 2016. FirstNet requested that any new or renewed licenses be conditioned on the requirement that narrowband licensees in that band get express consent from FirstNet to operate on those channels after July 31, 2017. Further, it requested that the FCC consider conditioning such licenses on the cessation of operations within 90 days of written notice from FirstNet that the NPSBN is to begin deployment in the state. Comments on the FirstNet proposal are due 14 days after publication of the Public Notice in the Federal Register.
Category: In the newsEnforcement Bureau Provides Insight on Forfeiture Philosophy
In two enforcement actions recounted below, the FCC has made clear that its philosophy of levying fines is tied to the financial ability of the alleged violator to pay. The Republican Commissioners have repeatedly voiced concerns regarding these Enforcement Bureau activities, stating that such levels of forfeitures are tantamount to enacting telecommunications policy.
On Wi-Fi Blocking, the FCC again noted that they will not tolerate this practice by anyone. A contractor at the Baltimore Civic Center who was blocking Wi-Fi accessibility was assessed a $718,000 forfeiture. Hilton Hotels was hit with $25,000 fine for what the FCC described as the company’s egregious, willful, and repeated failure to provide the FCC with information requested about potential Wi-Fi blocking violations. In assessing the fine against the contractor at issue in the Baltimore matter, the FCC described it as “one of the largest electrical contracting companies in the county, with estimated sales of over $700 million in 2013” and took pains to explain that “to ensure that a proposed forfeiture is not treated as simply a cost of doing business, the Commission has determined that large or highly profitable companies should be subject to proposed forfeitures that are substantially above the base forfeiture amount.”
A small tower owner was ordered to pay $3,000 for failing to install lights on two towers and to update registration information notifying the FCC that a third tower had been dismantled. The small fine was based on the tower owner’s documentation of an inability to pay, but the FCC held out the possibility of a $231,000 civil penalty if the owner is found violating the antenna structure rules within the next three years or if they find he misled the FCC about his financial status. Ouch!
Category: In the news