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June 7, 2010 
Volume 4, Issue 8
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Maybe I'm seeing things ... 
 

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All major policy development at the FCC these days is focused towards the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, and every Bureau is on the same page. This objective touches virtually every Commission decision as evidenced by several of the articles that appear in this edition of Insider.  The Plan concluded that 500 MHz of spectrum will need to be repurposed for broadband use, and that quantity of spectrum will be difficult to come by within the allotted five years.  Maybe I'm seeing things and making something out of nothing, but there are a few FCC proceedings of late that could well establish new precedents that will serve to either preserve or create avenues to provide additional broadband spectrum that may affect EWA members.  MORE
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IN THE NEWS
FCC to Harmonize License Renewal Rules
 
On May 25th, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) with the intent to establish consistent requirements for the renewal of licenses and consistent consequences for the discontinuance of station operations, including those private land mobile services authorized under Part 90 of the rules.  MORE
LMCC Comments on Trunking Rules
 
On May 14th, in response to the FCC's long-standing proceeding in WP Docket No. 07-100, the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) provided the FCC with its recommendations regarding a number of proposed rule changes, and its views in response to specific Commission inquiries. MORE
Non-Standard 450 MHz Request Status
 
In March 2010, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on a request from Motorola for clarification or a blanket waiver of the FCC rules to permit other than 5 MHz separation between paired base and mobile transmit frequencies for low power 450-470 MHz systems authorized pursuant to FCC Rule Section 90.267.  In April, EWA filed comments indicating its support for more efficient use of spectrum, but expressed concern that the use of non-standard frequency pairs could complicate the frequency coordination process, particularly if used by low-power systems outside of confined facilities, including those deployed on mountaintop sites.  MORE
800 MHz Rebanding - Canadian Treaty Issue Surfaces
 
The rebanding process has caused the FCC and Industry Canada (IC) to recognize that a certain number of 800 MHz systems located in close proximity to the Canadian border were authorized for ERPs that exceed the levels permitted by treaty for U.S. primary channels. MORE
800 MHz Vacated Spectrum
 
The FCC has advised all of its certified frequency advisory committees that have agreed to conform to a Memorandum of Agreement governing the frequency coordination procedures for 800 MHz spectrum vacated by Sprint/Nextel Communications, that it will continue to update the Vacated Channel Search Engine on a regular basis with additional information regarding available channels as Sprint and other licensees relocate to the ESMR band and non-cellular licensees relocate to the Guard band.  The public access files and vacated spectrum database have been updated to show vacated spectrum frequencies that are available effective June 1, 2010.
Public Safety Waiver Request Receives Greater Scrutiny
 
It seemed like a simple request. The FCC has released a Public Notice on May 27th seeking comment on a request for waiver filed by the Township of Wayne, New Jersey that seeks trunked and conventional channel capacity using TV stations 14, 15 and 19. Specifically, the Township would use its frequency assignments in TV channels 14 and 15 for trunked operations and TV channel 19 for its conventional operations.  MORE
Wireless Microphones - FCC Issues Enforcement Advisory
 
The Commission has issued an "Enforcement Advisory" reminding the public that it now prohibits the manufacture, import, sale, lease, offer for sale or lease, or shipment of wireless microphones and other low power auxiliary stations that operate in the 700 MHz band and are intended for use in the U.S.  MORE
Auction 89 Announced - 281-219 MHz and Phase II 220 MHz Licenses
 
On December 7, 2010, the FCC will be conducting auction 89 where 1,420 licenses in the 218-219 MHz band covering 727 cellular market areas; and 448 Phase II 220 MHz Service licenses primarily covering Economic Areas will be made available.  MORE
 
NATIONAL BROADBAND CORNER

Wireless Communications Service (WCS)

The FCC recently revised the technical rules governing the 2.3 GHz band to facilitate the use of 25 MHz of spectrum to provide mobile broadband services.  The new rules are designed to protect adjacent satellite radio and aeronautical mobile telemetry operations. MORE

Do You Know Your Broadband Speed?

Evidently not according to a recent FCC survey that revealed that 80% of broadband users in the United States do not know the speed of their broadband connection. This survey is part of the agency's overall broadband speed initiative, which involves multiple FCC bureaus and offices and is being coordinated by the FCC's Consumer Task Force.
MORE

Measuring Broadband Network Performance and Coverage

As a part of its effort to gather information on fixed residential and small business Internet broadband services, the FCC now seeks public comment on whether and how to pursue a measurement program for mobile broadband services given the growing significance of mobile internet access.  MORE
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ENFORCEMENT CORNER

Operating With Expired License Equals $5,000 Fine

This one is fairly straight forward. The Enforcement Bureau's Western Region office issued a monetary forfeiture in the amount of $5,000 to Tropicana Products, Inc., for continually operating radio transmitters without a license. Tropicana had formerly operated its system under station WPIJ645, in the City of Industry, California, but apparently failed to timely renew this call sign in 2005.  MORE
 
EVENTS
It all Starts on November 3
 
Join us at the Omni Championsgate in Orlando, Florida from November 3-5 for an exhibit hall of leading wireless companies, sessions to hone your competitive edge and on-site vendor training. Prime booth space is available. Contact Elaine Baugh Walsh, Conference Director at 520.620.0063.  Add your name to the mailing list for updates by clicking here.
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Send Us Your Comments 
 
Members are encouraged to contact EWA with their comments and recommendations regarding the Alliance's services. Click here  to contact EWA. 
 
EWA ON THE ROAD
EWA welcomes the opportunity to participate and to provide a variety of presentations to its members during their customer appreciation days and their communications expositions.  Contact Louise Hippolyte at 703. 797.5106 or e-mail Louise directly at Louise.Hippolyte@enterprisewireless.org to schedule EWA's participation in your next customer event.
 
Recent Events
 
EDMSSA Spring Meeting - Williamsburg, VA - April 15
Presentation by Mark Crosby; EWA Booth, Bill Sterner
 
Independence Communications Narrowbanding Seminar -Cleveland, OH - April 20, 2010
Presentation by Mark Crosby  
 
Lauttamus Communications 3rd Annual Communictions & Security Expo - May 5-6, 2010
Presentation from Mark Crosby, joined by Nancy Gruen and Cheryl Slaybaugh 
 
Upcoming Events 
 
SEMSS Annual Conference - Myrtle Beach, SC - June 10, 2010
EWA Booth and Presentation by Nancy Gruen and Bill Sterner
 
Chicago Communications Open House - Elmhurst, IL - June 17, 2010
Presentation by Mark Crosby
 
Vertex Standard FCC Narrowband Seminar - Webinar - July 13, 2010
Mark Crosby, Panelist 
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NEW EWA MEMBERS
Blumerich Communications Service, Inc. - Premier Member
Flushing, MI
 
Hasty's Communications & Electronics, Inc. - Premier Member
Tifton, GA
 
Mobile Communications - Premier Member
Philadelphia, PA
 
Scott Communications, Inc. - Premier Member
Hatfield, PA
 
Tomba Communications - Premier Member
Marrero, LA
 
Macon Communications
Macon, GA
 
Tactical Public Safety LLC
West Berlin, NJ
 
Tri-State Communications
South Sioux City, NE
 
Willard Agri Services of Frederick
Frederick, MD

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