EWA was being a bit too reserved when it stated in November 2011 FCC comments that "the frequency selection process has historically proven to be a rather cumbersome exercise" for those public safety licensees who seek to deploy Vehicular Repeater Service (VRS) units. Rather cumbersome? It's easier to plan a successful mission to land humans on Pluto and have them return safe and sound. Based on recent experiences, EWA will no longer advise wireless sales organizations and their public safety customers that securing VHF channels with the appropriate frequency spacing, as required as a result of Pyramid Communication's product design, may be readily accomplished.  In fact, it's a tortuous process requiring more time than anyone should have to endure, and the potential fees leave customers scratching their heads asking themselves "what am I paying for and why?"  Read More on this topic and others in Crosby's Blog 

EWA is pleased to announce the addition of two new staff members, Adrienne Shaffer and Elizabeth McBride, who will be providing Industrial/Business and Public Safety license preparation, frequency coordination, and license management services.  "We are very pleased to welcome Adrienne and Elizabeth to EWA's staff located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Both have outstanding professional backgrounds that will serve to immediately support EWA member and customer service requirements," stated President Mark Crosby. 

Spectrum's Economic Potential Revealed 

 A report entitled "Realizing the Potential of Government-Held Spectrum to Spur Economic Growth" is scheduled for release on July 20 by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and will feature remarks from government leaders in spectrum policy, including FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, NTIA Administrator, Larry Strickling, and others. The report will be released during a public meeting that can be viewed live via webcast at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/pcast.  

FCC Regulatory Fee Assessments 

 On July 13, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that seeks comment on proposals to reform the Commission's policies and procedures for assessing and collecting regulatory fees.  MORE

VHF Public Safety Coordination 

On July 10, the Digital Mobile Radio Association released a document addressing the PSCC position on coordinating VHF TDMA systems.  The PSCC's most recent submittal advised the Commission that the four public safety frequency coordinators would limit the coordination of such systems to power levels that are 3 dB or more below their currently licensed ERPs (for modifications) or at least 3 dB or more below the power levels in the Section 90.205 "safe harbor" table.  MORE 

The FCC denied a request from Communications Specialists (an Auction 48 Part 22 VHF/UHF winner) for an additional year to meet the FCC's build-out requirements.  The licenses were canceled automatically as of the construction deadline.  MORE  

700 MHz Public Safety Waivers Awaiting Termination  

The FCC plans to terminate all waivers granted in 2010 to public safety entities pursuing early deployment of broadband networks pursuant to leases from the Public Safety Spectrum Trust and to deny waivers pending from another 36 jurisdictions.  MORE 

Liability Rests with Vendor 

Analog v Digital - License Must Reflect Actual Use 

Q:  Could we receive a Violation Notice from the FCC if our license and system were modified to comply with the FCC's narrowband mandate, but our system was actually operating on a narrowbanded technology that was not reflected on our license?

A: Yes, licenses must reflect the narrowband technology in use.  See Enforcement Corner article above. 

Visit EWA's Narrowbanding FAQ's for more answers to often raised narrowbanding questions. If you don't see your specific question, click on the "Send Us Your Narrowband Questions" link. 

Where will you be on October 10-12? Join other wireless leaders and: