Industry Commenters Say ESMR Rule Change Good for Competition
An FCC proposal to allow channels larger than 25 kHz in the enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR) portion of the 800 MHz band is good for consumers, Sprint Nextel said in comments filed at the agency. The FCC sought comment in February (CD Feb 24 p10) on a June petition from Sprint asking the FCC to clarify that its rules allow the larger channels. Other industry groups filed in support of Sprint, which owns a big chunk of the ESMR spectrum.
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The proposal “represents a simple, straightforward rule change that will produce substantial public interest benefits,” Sprint said (http://xrl.us/bm33bq). “It will permit Sprint ... and other ESMR licensees to deploy wideband and broadband technologies in the 800 MHz band. Investment in these technologies will increase the efficiency, capacity, and data speed of ESMR networks, all to the benefit of consumers.” The proposal would provide ESMR with “the same flexibility that commercial licensees operating in other bands have enjoyed for many years,” Sprint said.
The Telecommunications Industry Association filed in support of the increased flexibility sought by Sprint. “As the Commission notes in the NPRM, the record supports the idea that enhanced flexibility will greatly be beneficial to the public interest in having more effective use of spectrum,” TIA said (http://xrl.us/bm33wy). “This assertion is supported by many comments in the record. The proposed changes significantly further the Government’s interest in more efficient use of spectrum by facilitating greater, more productive uses of limited spectrum resources."
"Spectrum is a finite, critical input for wireless carriers,” the Rural Cellular Association said (http://xrl.us/bm33yq). “The FCC’s proposal to allow ESMR licensees to deploy next-generation technologies that operate on greater than 25 kHz channels with greater than 20 kHz bandwidth will increase the spectrum’s efficiency and the carriers’ coverage and capacity, to consumers’ benefit."
Motorola Solutions noted that the NPRM proposes protections for public safety licensees in the 800 MHz band, allowing ESMR licensees to exceed limitations only in NPSPAC regions where all public safety licensees have completed 800 MHz reconfiguration. “As the Commission notes in the Notice, protection of public safety licensees is essential, and the Commission should not take any actions that might negatively affect these operations,” Motorola said (http://xrl.us/bm33yh). “The Commission’s proposals strike the right balance between these interests by allowing EA-based 800 MHz SMR licensees to introduce more advanced wideband technologies on their licensed spectrum in situations where there is little risk to public [safety] operations.” The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials earlier said it supports the change provided the FCC imposes proposed protections for its members (http://xrl.us/bm3oqk).