FCC Meeting Notes...

--

When Cable Bureau Chief Ken Ferree told commissioners that cable broadband service was available to 70% of all U.S. homes, not everyone was convinced. He explained that, while not every household was subscribing to broadband, cable companies delivering broadband services reported that their fiber passed most homes. “Well, when you say they go past my house, you're exactly right,” Comr. Copps said to howling laughter. Copps, who lives in Fairfax County, where Cox provides cable services, said broadband wasn’t yet available to residents in his area. Chmn. Powell also chimed in, saying he couldn’t get broadband either. “Message to Cox: Get to us!” Powell said.

--

FCC’s Office of Engineering & Technology (OET) hired 18 engineers last year, marking its first staff increase in nearly 6 years, Acting Chief Bruce Franca said Thurs. That reversed trend of engineering and technical staff dropping 20% in those 6 years, he said. OET said FCC had hired 12 entry level engineers and planned to add 18 more. New staff and $1.6 million upgrade of OET lab facilities has led to big reduction in backlog for equipment approvals, he said. Two years ago, FCC had 700 applications pending for equipment authorizations, figure since reduced to less than 200, he said. Special processing line also has been created for cellular and PCS handset approvals, trimming typical approval time to 30 days from 65, Franca said. He told Commission that agency needed to continue to streamline equipment approval procedures, in part by expanding use of privatization methods and developing agreements with other countries that would mutually accept equipment approvals. OET also must step up “market surveillance” to ensure that approved devices comply with FCC rules, he said. As for upcoming proceedings, Franca said: “We need to find ways to increase the range of useful spectrum.” Specifically, he said OET soon would have item ready for Commission on use of spectrum at 90 GHz, which utilizes recent defense-related research. OET had held forum in 2000 on 90 GHz technologies to solicit feedback on potential commercial uses in 92-95 GHz. “This will be the highest frequency band available for commercial use,” Franca said. OET also plans to encourage development of spectrum-efficient technologies through FCC’s experimental licensing program, he said. In other changes, Franca said OET is creating new position of dir.-national security defense programs as part of upgrading office’s expertise in network security.

--

In answer to question by Comr. Abernathy, Common Carrier Bureau Chief Dorothy Attwood said she would welcome development of internal guidelines for handling court remands. Attwood said bureau made progress this year in speeding action on remands but it would be good to have more specific guidelines for such things as when to get industry comments on remanded issues. She said number of remands pending for more than a year had been pared to 3 from 11 last year. Three remaining remands involve dark fiber, Computer 3 and one case that Common Carrier Bureau said was “sealed” and couldn’t be discussed.

--

FCC Comr. Copps made pitch for agency review of competition in Sec. 271 states, as he had promised (CD Jan 16 p8). Copps suggested agency could issue report on whether Sec. 271 approval really reaped promised benefits to consumers and, working with states, could develop best practices for operations support systems, unbundled network elements, pricing. Common Carrier Bureau Chief Dorothy Attwood said some of that information was gathered in various reports and proceedings but she would “welcome a more comprehensive approach.” FCC Chmn. Powell said he and Attwood had talked about developing “better interaction with the states” and might present commissioners with proposal soon.

--

Wireless Bureau Chief Thomas Sugrue said he planned to hire expert on historic preservation because issue had grown as number of antenna towers increased and historic and environmental groups became more vocal in challenging their siting. He said Chmn. Powell’s office had approved the new position after Comr. Copps asked whether bureau was taking into consideration views of “nontraditional stakeholders” such as environmentalists.

--

Enforcement Bureau Chief David Solomon said hiring new staff and upgrading enforcement vehicles had become biggest challenges. Many field staff members are eligible for retirement, he said, necessitating new hires. Field vehicles have to be modernized to use new equipment that replaced obsolete technology. If vehicles aren’t replaced “we'll have tremendous staff and equipment and no way to use it,” he warned.

--

Mass Media Bureau Chief Roy Stewart proudly rattled off scores of statistics to show accomplishments of his former Mass Media Bureau in 2001. Some examples: Total 31,421 stations were granted licenses, including 1,695 TV, 167 DTV, 464 Class A TV, 2,184 low-power TV, 4,749 TV translators, 4,772 AM radio stations, 8,348 FM radio stations. Bureau issued 2,477 construction permits for new or improved full- service AM, FM or TV stations, granted 3,469 radio and TV sales applications, and issued authorizations for 2,322 new 2-way multipoint distribution services (MDS)/instructional TV fixed services (ITFS) broadband Internet access.