CPNI Filing Deadline Approaches                

The FCC Enforcement Bureau has issued an Enforcement Advisory reminding telecommunications carriers of their annual obligation to file Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) reports by March 1, 2013. This is a critical issue for the Commission, and carriers were reminded that failure to submit complete and timely filings may create the potential for an enforcement action. No one has ever disputed the benefits of controlling CPNI information, but the definition of who specifically qualifies as a telecommunication carrier has always been cloudy at best. Despite repeated requests from EWA, the FCC has chosen not to clarify whether non-interconnected telecommunications carriers, specifically those that are licensed for FB6 private carrier channels, are subject to the requirement. Clarification would potentially save both businesses and the FCC a lot of time, funding and resources, but that seems to be an unimportant objective at the moment.  MORE  

Pending Narrowband Compliance Plans                

Representatives from the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC), including EWA, met recently with the FCC to discuss next steps following the narrowbanding deadline, given that there are a significant number of licensees who have yet to comply with the January 1, 2013 date. Topics of interest included the need to provide frequency advisory committees a master list of call signs for which the Bureaus have granted narrowbanding extensions; the FCC Enforcement Bureau will be identifying a single point-of-contact for purposes of receiving notices of non-compliance for potential enforcement action; and the FCC Bureaus will initiate procedures that will serve to expedite the deletion of license records from the ULS for either non-existent or non-operational systems including those that are identified by frequency advisory committees during spectrum research activities.  MORE 

800 MHz Spectrum - Interest in Surprising Areas   

A substantial number of applications were filed on January 17 for 800 MHz Expansion and Guard Band spectrum in eleven NPSPAC regions that the FCC has declared rebanding-complete. Areas of heightened interest include, among others, major metropolitan locations within the states of Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.  MORE 

FCC Responding to T-Band Congressional Inquiries    

Whether responding to a Congressional inquiry regarding interference to a public safety system or concerns associated with funding needs associated with the public safety requirement that they vacate the 470-512 MHz band pursuant to the Spectrum Reform Act
of February 2012, recent FCC correspondence reveals that it is the Commission's view that licensee concerns may be best addressed in response to a forthcoming Public Notice that will solicit comment on the implementation of the forced relocation from T-Band. As one FCC letter stated, "We are happy to discuss with any affected T-Band licensees what options are available to them."  FCC Correspondence 

Twilight Zone - Fixed or Mobile Clocks?      

American Time & Signal (ATS) has chosen to confront EWA's request for clarification regarding the FCC's decision to permit ATS to license what are fixed location wireless clock installations as mobile stations under a private carrier license granted to ATS. Specifically, EWA asked the FCC whether the installations should be considered as having standing for channel exclusivity evaluations, to what extent these fixed installations had monitoring obligations, and whether FCC approval of ATS as a private carrier licensee is a policy that would be extended to other entities.  MORE 

Motorola Solutions Seeks TETRA Order Clarification

Where and under what circumstances TETRA radio equipment may be deployed on certain Part 90 frequencies was again addressed by Motorola Solutions in comments submitted in response to earlier comments filed in opposition by the TETRA + Critical Communications Association (TCCA).  MORE 

Making it Easier to Upgrade to Wireless Tower Installations      

FCC Seeks Comment on Sprint Nextel's "Anti-Windfall" Request     

FCC Announces Broadband Adoption and Usage Summit Agenda     

Mark Your Calendar for the 2013 Wireless Leadership Summit  

The 2013 Wireless Leadership Summit, hosted by EWA and USMSS will be held in St. Louis, Missouri at the Four Diamond Union Station Doubletree Hilton Hotel, October 2-4.  Mark your calendar for a great opportunity to network and explore business and technology opportunities with exhibitors, presenters and fellow wireless professionals.