EWA Supports State of Maine 

Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) filed comments supporting a recent waiver request from the State of Maine that seeks to utilize a substantial number of VHF channels that are coordinated on a primary basis by the American Association of Railroads (AAR) for a new, statewide, narrowband VHF trunked P25 radio system. The proposed system would be available to all public safety agencies in the State of Maine and would also permit interoperability with federal public safety entities.  MORE  

CPNI Certifications Due March 1, 2012 

In a recent Enforcement Advisory the FCC reminded telecommunication carriers and interconnected VOIP providers that their "Customer Proprietary Network Information" (CPNI) certification is due by March 1, 2012. All companies offering telecommunications services directly to the public, whether telephone interconnect is provided or not, are required to file a certification. The Advisory provides the online link to filing CPNI certifications at http://apps.fcc.gov/eb/CPNI along with information on other ways in which CPNI certifications may be filed. Also provided is a FAQ list about CPNI, information on who is required to file, filing dates, procedures, and a suggested template which filers may use for the submission process.

The Commission warns carriers that "failure to comply with the CPNI rules, including the annual certification requirement, may subject them to enforcement action, including monetary forfeitures of up to $150,000 for each violation or each day of continuing violation".    

If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Gruen at 703.797.5147, or nancy.gruen@enterprisewireless.org.  

Spectrum Reform Legislation Passes Congress 

Earlier today, both the House and the Senate passed legislation containing, among other matters concerned with payroll tax cut and unemployment benefit extensions, critical provisions regarding spectrum reform. Among the many spectrum reform provisions, the legislation reallocates the D Block to public safety to be managed by a new government authority housed within NTIA which will have the responsibility of developing a nationwide interoperable public safety mobile broadband network.    MORE

FCC Releases 2012-2016 Strategic Plan 

In his opening message, Chairman Genachowski states that "[T]he FCC's work centers on communications networks and technology ... and our mission is to harness the power of broadband Internet to drive economic growth and benefit all Americans."  Goal 1 reported in the four year plan is to "Connect America" by maximizing Americans' access to - and the adoption of - affordable fixed and mobile broadband where they live, work and travel.  MORE 

Google Approved to Buy Motorola Mobility 

Google has received approval from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the European Union to acquire Motorola Mobility Holdings for $12.5 billion. The largest acquisition yet for Google, Google has stated that its intention is to obtain Motorola's numerous patents and to help it better compete in the wireless space.  MORE  

Bad News for LightSquared 

The FCC moved on February 14 to bar LightSquared from developing its national satellite-based wireless network following the release of the Commerce Department's NTIA report that there was "no practical way to mitigate the potential interference at this time" - a reference to the service's potential operational effect on GPS devices.  MORE 

VHF TDMA Systems Concern Public Safety Coordinators 

The Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC) has advised the PSHSB that, effective February 6, and for a period of no longer than 90 calendar days, the four public safety coordinators that constitute the PSCC will not coordinate TDMA (7K60) fixed facilities in the VHF band at more than 10 watts ERP.  MORE   

EWA Will Respond to "Innovative" Licensing Waiver 

EWA will be submitting comments in response to a requested licensing approach by American Time & Signal (ATS) that proposes to license fixed transmitters that manage campus wide wireless clock systems with ERP levels as high as 40 watts as mobile units, under a station class code of MO6 (mobile only private carrier).  MORE 

Signal Boosters - Can Pose Problems! 

EWA is often contacted by members who are experiencing interference from Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA's). As a reminder, licensees may use BDA's only on those frequencies for which they are authorized.  MORE 

See You in Vegas! 

Going to Las Vegas next week? Please plan on visiting EWA at the Motorola Channel Partner Expo (CPE) at the Aria, February 20-21; and then at  IWCE at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 22-23. 

EWA Staff Presentations at IWCE:

GPS Interface: The Effect on Aviation, Transportation, Defense and Field Service 

Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center, Rm S224
Date: 2/22/2012 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm

Bumps in the Mobile Road: How to Navigate Bandwidth, Connection and Data Consumption
Panelist: Eric Hill, VP Business Technology, EWA
Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center, Rm S227
Date: 2/24/2012 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Crosby's "Why, When and How" Narrowbanding Class     

If you missed the January 26 Narrowbanding webinar hosted by School Transportation News, featuring Mark Crosby, you can still see it at this link