FCC Wireless Bureau approved applications filed by Chadmoore Wire...
FCC Wireless Bureau approved applications filed by Chadmoore Wireless Group to transfer 800 MHz and 900 MHz specialized mobile radio (SMR) licenses to Nextel as part of pending $130 million acquisition. Bureau turned down requests of some commenters who…
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wanted agency to deny applications or impose conditions to resolve interference issues between SMR licensees and public safety users. “Those issues are being addressed elsewhere,” FCC said in order dated Nov. 30 but released Mon. Nextel asked agency last month in new White Paper to put rule changes into effect in next 6 months that would constitute spectrum swap between it and public safety licensees to help resolve interference issues (CD Nov 23 p1). Chadmoore and Nextel had sought FCC consent to assign 1,062 Chadmoore licenses to Nextel. Several local govts. had asked Commission to deny or impose conditions on applications, citing interference problems between commercial SMR licensees such as Nextel and public safety operations. Bureau said approval of application didn’t pose risk to competition in U.S. telecom markets or “any other public interest harm.” Several commenters had told FCC that best practices guide issued in Dec. 2000 to address solutions to public safety interference from SMR licensees wasn’t working. They suggested mitigation efforts outlined in guide “result in suboptimal use of either the commercial or the public safety systems or both,” order said. Order said bureau declined to grant request of some commenters that approval of Chadmoore license transfers be conditioned on Nextel’s filing reallocation proposal similar to White Paper last month. Order said bureau found that local govts. commenting on Nextel applications had not shown how they would be harmed or would experience relief from interference based on how Commission disposed of applications. Public safety comments “lack standing” in case, order found. “The more efficient use of spectrum, the additional services that will be provided to Chadmoore’s current customers, Nextel’s increased ability to compete in the CMRS marketplace and its increased ability to resolve interference issues with the public safety channels all constitute transaction-specific public interest benefits,” order said.