Late-Filed Narrowband Application Process Recommended               

The Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) has requested that the Commission recognize applications seeking narrowband compliance that have been submitted to certified frequency advisory committees on or before December 31, 2012, but not yet filed at the Commission, to count towards compliance. All participating frequency advisory committees will prepare a list of call signs for which they have received an application requesting license modification to comply with the narrowbanding rules, and these call sign lists will be electronically submitted to the FCC and all other frequency advisory committees no later than January 3, 2013.  MORE 

Don't Believe the Rumors          

EWA has received inquiries from several service providers who have stated that one or two of their customers have heard that the narrowbanding deadline would be postponed for several years, and wanted to know if that was true. Inform your customers that such a thought is nothing more than wishful thinking.  MORE 

Critical Spectrum Updates    

In a meeting earlier this month with the FCC, EWA was advised that action on its request to terminate the 900 MHz freeze may occur during the first quarter of 2013.  The FCC will address the completion of rebanding in certain NPSPAC regions and licensing requirements for the 800 MHz Guard Band (861-862 MHz in non-border areas).  MORE 

T-Band Update      

At this same FCC meeting, much to its amazement, EWA was informed that the freeze on both public safety and industrial/business 470-512 MHz licensing was driven in significant part by a concern that if system relocation costs are not contained, auction proceeds perhaps nine years from now may not be sufficient to fund public safety relocation as permitted under the spectrum reform legislation.  MORE 

Technology Compatibility     

On December 5, the LMCC's newly appointed Digital Working Group will be meeting with the FCC to generally discuss matters associated with the deployment of digital technologies within the shared Part 90 bands, and more specifically, to identify potential solutions within the frequency coordination and licensing process that may serve to promote more efficient spectrum use.  EWA representatives will be participating in these deliberations. 

File Those Construction Notices      

The FCC releases a Public Notice regularly that lists the names of licensees and their associated call signs who are about to be relegated to a "Termination Pending" status for failing to file a Notice of Construction within fifteen days from the construction deadline, the date for which is listed on all new license grants. While licensees may file requests for Extension of Time, which are routinely granted, these construction notifications are as critical as the original effort to secure a license in the first place.  MORE 

4.9 GHz Band - Who and How       

EWA is in the process of reviewing the comments filed in response to the FCC's rulemaking addressing future spectrum management and access eligibility issues related to the 4.9 GHz band.  Many commenters' views were similar to EWA, notably the recommendation that the band should not be open for commercial uses.  MORE 

Motorola Solutions Seeks TETRA Clarification  

Motorola Solutions (MSI) filed a Petition for Clarification and/or Reconsideration of the September 21 Report and Order in which it modified the Part 90 rules to permit the certification and use of TETRA equipment in the 450-470 MHz and 854-869 MHz bands, while specifically excluding the 800 MHz NPSPAC and 700 MHz public safety spectrum from this rule change.  MORE