LMCC Seeks Confirmation of Narrowbanding Next Steps                

In a letter to the Wireless Telecommunications and the Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureaus, the LMCC requested confirmation of pending activities associated with the narrowbanding mandate.  MORE 

Licensed Versus Reality                

EWA responded to American Time & Signal's recent rebuttal noting that it is clear that ATS has unfortunately confused the FCC's licensing rules with their own product's operational necessities.  The fact that the FCC waived its rules to allow ATS to license fixed wireless clock mechanisms as mobile-only private carrier systems (MO6s!) as a licensing convenience for relatively high-site, high-power facilities did not magically change their physical characteristics and the application of rules associated with fixed data systems.  MORE 

LMCC Developing Best Practices                

In response to an FCC request, the LMCC continues to work on drafting a "Best Practices" document intended to facilitate the deployment of analog and digital conventional and trunked systems that are deployed within the shared 150-470 MHz land mobile bands. It is anticipated that a reasonably complete document will be available for the Commission's consumption by April 1.  MORE 

CPNI Reminder                

Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) reports are due to the FCC by March 1, 2013. While this is an important Commission initiative required by Congress, it has never been clear whether non-interconnected private carrier systems are absolutely obligated to follow CPNI certifications. As a consequence, some private carriers faithfully file CPNI certifications on March 1st every year, others choose not to on the basis that they are exempt.  MORE 

EWA Invited to Discuss FCC Fees                

EWA has been invited by FCC's Enforcement Bureau to discuss issues associated with the Commission's Regulatory Fee program. EWA's last set of comments on fees did not contain significant recommendations as PLMR fees were recently reduced.

EWA Launching Wireless Technician Job Site                

The Wireless Career Connection, a new EWA online job site dedicated to the development of radio industry technician training and placement within the land mobile industry is scheduled for launch in early March. Job seekers may post resumes and employers will post openings. Organizations offering training, certification, degree programs, and veteran placement assistance will partner with EWA through the site.

Employers can post jobs in a forum catering specifically to the wireless market and will have access to highly qualified technical candidates with the ability to search the resume bank for qualified resumes to more easily manage their recruitment efforts.

Job seekers can access wireless industry job postings, can post their resume anonymously and have access to other career resources such as resume critiquing, career coaching, resume writing and more.

Contact Louise Hippolyte, 703-797-5106, for details. 

Narrowbanding Tool - Better Late Than Never    

A new FCC "Narrowbanding Process" capability was launched earlier this month, making it easier for licensees to amend their call signs directly online to add or change to narrowband compliant emission designators, without FCC filing fees. EWA has been advised by FCC representatives that this new license modification process will only accept changes to the first three digits of an existing licensed emission designator.  MORE 

NTIA Announces $121.5 Million State Planning-Grant Program     

The planning-grant program will be overseen by FirstNet and is designed to assist states in planning to be part of the nationwide 700 MHz public safety broadband network, and covers a performance period of three years. Additional information and frequently asked questions regarding the grant can be found here.    

Urgent Communications 

San Diego Told that Spectrum Cupboard is Bare       

A waiver request from San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Transit Corporation was recently denied because the channel already had been identified as a replacement frequency in two rebanding projects that would be short-spaced to San Diego's proposed locations.  MORE  

Commission Announces Part 22 Auction 

Auction 95 has been announced for 5,905 upper and lower band Part 22 paging channels that were either not purchased in the three previous auctions or were recovered by the FCC is scheduled for July 16, 2013.  Further public notices will announce filing deadlines.  MORE 

Sweeping Changes to Experimental Rules      

Correction Notice