T-Band Resurrection               

EWA will be filing comments with the FCC on May 13 responding to questions posed by the FCC on how best to implement provisions of the spectrum reform legislation that has devastated this band and incumbent Industrial/Business (I/B) and Public Safety systems. As part of its effort, EWA has engaged the services of an outside consulting firm to identify economic estimates in the event I/B licensees are relocated to other T-Band areas.  MORE 

T-Band Waiver Granted to Somerset County              

Because the requested system modifications would not expand the previously authorized coverage area and would actually result in a net reduction in the number of sites deployed, the FCC adopted an Order granting a waiver of the T-Band licensing freeze to Somerset County, New Jersey.  MORE  

Trunking and Exclusive Use Channel Rules Finalized              

EWA is pleased to report that the FCC finally adopted rule amendments that clarify how and under what circumstances applications for centralized and hybrid trunking systems may secure shared and exclusive use channels assignments in the 150-512 MHz bands. The rules are considerably less complicated from a technical standpoint than were originally proposed by the LMCC.  And in a matter that was debated among frequency advisory committees for several years, the FCC mandated that "the service contour for proposed centralized trunked stations shall not be overlapped by an incumbent licensee's interference contour."  MORE 

FCC Displeased with Mutually Exclusive Applications  

In the first of two recent FCC Orders regarding applications seeking access to Sprint Nextel vacated 800 MHz spectrum, it is clear that the FCC does not intend to devote any staff resources towards resolving instances of mutually exclusivity. In the first Order, the FCC dismissed all applications and pleadings filed by the Cities of Aventura and Doral, Florida.  MORE

800 MHz Application Freeze Extended In Border Areas           

The FCC has extended the freeze on 800 MHz license applications until October 15, 2013, in the four Canadian-U.S. border-area NPSPAC regions. The freeze only applies to applications affecting frequency or coverage in the designated areas. Special Temporary Authorization may be granted to those affected if a good cause is shown. 

Crosby Receives CSMAC Reappointment          

EWA President Mark Crosby was reappointed as a member of the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) for a one-year term by Rebecca M. Blank, Deputy Secretary of Commerce. CSMAC advises the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information on major spectrum policy issues. The reappointment became effective on April 22. 

Cell Phone Jammers Feel the Pain of Six Figure Fines