CTIA - Take a Deep Breath     

This past May, EWA suggested that the FCC clarify what registration information is required for embedded signal boosters and to provide an online database of already certified devices that meet the Consumer Signal Booster Network Protection Standard. Later, both Verizon Wireless (Verizon) and CTIA - The Wireless Association® (CTIA) filed comments opposing the EWA Petition. Verizon acknowledged the issues that prompted the Petition and attempted to craft alternatives to the relief requested by the Alliance. With regard to the timing of the deadlines, Verizon proposed that enterprise entities unable to register their signal boosters within the 90-day window established by a carrier should request waivers that the FCC could consider on a case-by-case basis. On the other hand, CTIA filed a response that was wildly disproportionate to the measured relief requested by EWA. Unlike Verizon, CTIA offered no recognition of the practical issues that large enterprise users will face in complying with a regulatory scheme with which they are not opposed. Amazingly, CTIA added that EWA's proposals would "further prolong the interference environment created by unauthorized consumer signal boosters."  MORE

A Hollow Victory - FCC Lifts 900 MHz Freeze     

The rationale for EWA's request to lift the freeze on applicants seeking new systems in the 900 MHz Industrial/Business pool made policy sense in late 2008 when EWA and Sprint initially suggested the notion, but EWA is nevertheless pleased that the Commission ultimately - almost five years later - saw fit to agree with the premise that "qualified entities may file an application for a new authorization in any given NPSPAC region provided such application is accompanied by a letter of concurrence from Sprint Nextel to ensure that the authorization will not adversely affect its rebanding efforts."  MORE

EWA Suggests Conditional Licensing Expansion      

In an effort to assist applicants to expeditiously commence operations that may be hampered by the FCC's current licensing backlog, EWA formally requested that the FCC issue a blanket waiver of FCC Rule Section 90.159(b) to extend conditional licensing to Part 90 Industrial/Business applications above 470 MHz. EWA added that this waiver be extended for those applications filed on or before December 31, 2013.  MORE 

GAO Investigating Construction Requirements     

The Government Accounting Office (GAO) recently contacted Mark Crosby, President/CEO of EWA, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Land Mobile Communications Council about GAO's planned review of FCC construction requirements and the efficient use of spectrum. The GAO will consult with the LMCC, licensees and industry associations to learn more about their opinions on and experience with these FCC requirements.  MORE

Public Safety Seeks Change to Trunking Rules 

The Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC) has filed a Petition for Reconsideration requesting that the reciprocal contour calculations used to identify exclusive use (FB8) channels in trunked systems not apply to public safety applicants; and that the FCC define better the interference protection to be afforded to mobile units associated with a base station. 

White House Pushes for Federal Government Spectrum Sharing    

The White House has set several initiatives promoting the enhanced efficiency of used Federal Government spectrum by encouraging agencies to increase their "collaboration and data sharing with the private sector."  MORE
 

Learning to Share More Often    

EWA's concern about ongoing incursions by public safety applications into Industrial/Business (I/B) spectrum has indirectly received support from the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB). In a dispute between two public safety entities, the Bureau reminded the parties that [even] Public Safety frequencies are "available for shared use and the Commission's rules do not provide 'first-in-time preference' to current users of shared channels."  MORE 

Ascend Seeks Narrowband Waiver    

Ascend, which uses low-power two-watt frequencies to operate 12 radio-controlled Automated Guided Vehicles at a manufacturing plant in Florida seeks an indefinite narrowbanding waiver because the proprietary software used in these robotic vehicles operated under computer control cannot be converted to the 4800 bits per second per 6.25 kHz needed to satisfy the narrowband requirement.  MORE
 

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