FCC released further notice of proposed rulemaking that aims to update Part 15 rules for spread spectrum systems to usher in new technologies that haven’t met past spread spectrum definitions. Further notice said it would relax frequency hopping spread spectrum rules as requested in joint petition filed by 3Com and dozen other companies. Proposal, approved unanimously at FCC meeting (CD May 11 p3) also would amend rules to accommodate new digital transmission systems with spectrum characteristics similar to spread spectrum systems, such IEEE 802.11b-based technologies, systems using HomeRF and W-OFDM system developed by Wi-LAN. Finally, proposal also would eliminate processing gain requirement for direct sequence spread spectrum systems. Further notice seeks comment on proposal to allow use of as few as 15 hops regardless of hopping channel’s bandwidth as long as output power doesn’t exceed 125 mW and device uses adaptive hopping techniques. “Commenters are encouraged to include technical analyses that support claims that this change will either improve or degrade sharing of this spectrum,” further notice said. Comment also is sought on whether use of adaptive hopping should be mandatory and how agency should determine compliance with this requirement when evaluating specific devices for equipment certification. Further notice also asked for comments to examine alternative operating parameters that could achieve same goals.
Ameritech filed with Mich. PSC its “notice of intent” to seek Sec. 271 approval from FCC for interLATA long distance entry, and its formal request for PSC’s support. Ameritech said it would file “within several days” its evidence to demonstrate compliance with Sec. 271 open-market checklist. Ameritech said operation support system testing underway by KPMG Consulting will confirm what market statistics show: “Our local markets are fully open to competition and other companies have a meaningful opportunity to compete in Michigan’s marketplace.” Filing was accompanied by Ameritech ads in major Mich. media markets proclaiming “Full Competition is Coming to Michigan.” Ameritech said 920,000 lines in its territory are served by CLECs, 85% increase since 1999. Ameritech said it has completed more than 100 interconnection agreements in Mich., with CLECs colocated at over 900 sites. Ameritech said its long distance entry would serve public interest through more choices, better service and possibility of overall telecom-driven business expansion that will produce more tax dollars for state and local govts. Ameritech in Mich. was first Bell to seek long distance entry following passage of Telecom Act, but its application was rejected by FCC. Ameritech’s filing coincided with introduction of legislation in Mich. House (CD May 10 p8) to require full structural separation of carrier as only path to effective local competition. New bill was heralded by ads in same major Mich. media markets depicting state and nation as turkey being carved into monopolies by Bell companies, and claiming it’s time Bells were carved up.
Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) applauded FCC Wireless Bureau decision last week concerning how certain Enhanced 911 expenses are to be divided between wireless carriers and public safety answering points. Bureau clarified where line is to be drawn for allocating costs of E911 Phase 1 network and database components in letter to King County, Wash., E911 program (CD May 9 p6). Letter stipulated proper demarcation point was input to 911 selective routers that ILECs maintain. “The FCC’s decision will single-handedly cut untold red tape from the process of implementing wireless enhanced 9-1-1 throughout the nation,” said APCO Pres. Lyle Gallagher. APCO pointed out that bureau decision sides with recommendations made by APCO, National Emergency Number Assn., National Assn. of State 911 Administrators.
FCC is holding Indian Telecom Training Initiative 2001 industry conference June 3-5 at Radisson Hotel in St. Paul, Minn. Conference, called “Doing Business in Indian Country,” will be in cooperation with National Exchange Carrier Assn. and American Indian Higher Education Consortium. Speakers include Navajo Nation Pres. Kelsey Begaye and Hopi Tribe Chmn. Wayne Taylor. Native American business leaders will talk about business opportunities in Indian country -- Atif Harden at 202-418-7931 or Dan Rumelt at 202-418-7512.
Congress has delayed hearings on 3G spectrum allocation because “Commerce Department is not ready” to unveil its game plan or make its case, House Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R-Mich.) said May 11 at FCBA lunch in Washington. He said subcommittee had intended to hold hearings in April, but only Commerce official prepared for proceeding was Secy. Don Evans, “and he was out of the country.” Upton acknowledged necessity and difficulty of taking spectrum from Defense Dept. for commercial 3G use while simultaneously working to satisfy spectrum needs of military. Despite situation at Commerce Dept., he said he expects to begin hearings no later than mid-summer.
Verizon told U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., that it’s “utterly inconceivable that WorldCom will succeed” in its request for stay of FCC order authorizing Verizon to provide long distance service in Mass. In May 10 filing with court, Verizon said WorldCom’s petition was “last ditch attempt to oust a competitor that already is providing long distance service to tens of thousands of Massachusetts consumers.” Verizon told court that out of “hundreds of issues” that state regulators and FCC examined, WorldCom based motion on just one, complaint that “The state- approved rate to lease unbundled local switching… is too high.” Verizon said: “WorldCom’s attacks on those rates here are the same ones that it and other long-distance incumbents have litigated and lost repeatedly,” before N.Y. PSC, Mass. Dept. of Telecom & Energy, FCC and several courts.
Flurry of back-and-forth ex parte filings is continuing at FCC on 3rd generation wireless allocation issues. Catholic TV Network (CTN) took exception to contentions by Verizon Wireless that reallocating up to 60 MHz of Instructional TV Fixed Service (ITFS) spectrum for 3G wouldn’t harm incumbents. Verizon had argued segmentation of 2.5 GHz band occupied by Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) and ITFS licensees would be possible. Verizon argued MMDS operators who lease ITFS spectrum have no long-term ownership rights. “Given the independent and interleaved nature of ITFS and MDS operations, it is simply ludicrous to argue that the Commission could reallocate the same 60 MHz of spectrum in every market with no adverse impact to incumbent licensees,” CTN said. Verizon comments “are simply another attempt to distract the Commission’s attention from Verizon’s true intention: to derail the deployment of a service that will directly compete with Verizon’s own DSL service.” Separately, in ex parte filing this month, Motorola outlined benefits of using 1.7 GHz band occupied by military for advanced wireless services. Company argued Dept. of Defense global training and operational requirements aren’t compatible with global use of 1710-1850 MHz band for commercial mobile services. Instead, filing said use of this band for 3G in U.S. would provide “global spectrum alignment.” Motorola said Commission shouldn’t pair 1710-1755 MHz with 2110-2150 MHz, in part because this would provide 85 MHz of spectrum, which isn’t enough to meet demand through 2010. Motorola said this pairing wouldn’t leave room for future growth using additional spectrum at 1755-1850 MHz. On issue of reimbursement of govt. users who relocate, Motorola acknowledged existing law guarantees reimbursement but it is subject to congressional authorization. Company advocated “streamlined process” that would identify costs before auction with “clear rights for both parties” and use of auction revenue to directly finance relocation. This plan also would allow federal users to modernize systems, Motorola said. Motorola contended DoD doesn’t have to vacate 1.7 GHz band altogether to make room for 3G. This could be averted by developing “system-by-system” solutions for accommodating govt. requirements and crafting solutions that would “consider realistic 3G requirements and DoD requirements,” Motorola said. How to attain global spectrum harmonization for 3G services was among issues that also emerged last week during European Institute roundtable on telecom and e- commerce in Washington. Veena Rawat, deputy director-gen. of spectrum planning and engineering for Industry Canada, said she was heartened that U.S. is considering 1.7 GHz for 3G because this would align with choice Canada has already made. “Before we talk about global harmonization we must harmonize with our neighbors here,” she said. Ruprecht Niepold, head of European Union’s mobile and satellite unit, also stressed importance of 3G harmonization, but said he expects more serious discussion about flexible spectrum allocation when attention turns to phasing out existing 2G services.
Terrestrial repeaters for satellite digital audio radio service (DARS) will be necessary to overcome interference from electrodeless wide area lighting devices, so FCC should approve repeaters, according to lighting device manufacturer Fusion Lighting. Firm said in ex parte filing that tests show devices would interfere with satellite DARS up to mile from lamps, but terrestrial repeaters would easily solve problem, even though they meet emission requirements and have been on market for years.
House Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R-Mich.) plans hearing May 17 to consider increase in penalties levied by FCC against violators of telecom regulations. Upton said May 11 at FCBA luncheon that FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief David Solomon will be one of several as-of-yet unnamed panelists at hearing. During recent subcommittee hearing on data deregulation bill (HR-1542) introduced by House Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin and ranking Member Dingell (D-Mich.), Upton had attempted to offer amendment that would increase FCC forfeiture penalties, but Tauzin rejected amendment as nongermane to bill. Amendment, which Upton May 8 introduced (HR-1765) as standalone bill, would raise penalties to $1 million per violation and place $10 million cap on repeat violations. Current penalties are $120,000 per violation capped at $1.2 million for repeat offenders. Upton bill also would increase to 2 years from one year statute of limitations on launching forfeiture actions against phone companies. Despite germaneness ruling, last week (CD May 10 p1) during mark-up of HR- 1542, Tauzin acknowledged chance that Upton bill could be attached to Tauzin-Dingell when it reaches House floor, contingent upon whether House Rules Committee grants germaneness waiver. -- Rayburn 2123, 9:30 a.m.
With nod to growth of high-speed wireless devices in unlicensed spectrum, FCC unanimously approved further notice of proposed rulemaking at Thurs. agenda meeting to update its Part 15 rules for spread spectrum systems. Changes, sought by group of companies including 3Com, Cisco and Texas Instruments, would reduce amount of spectrum that must be used for frequency hopping spread spectrum systems at 2.4 GHz. Proposal responds to petition for partial reconsideration or clarification filed by 3Com and others over Aug. 2000 decision. That order had altered Commission’s Part 15 rules spectrum to allow spread spectrum devices in 2.4 GHz band to use wider frequency hopping channels for first time. Proposal adopted by FCC Thurs. also would eliminate processing gain requirement for direct sequence spread spectrum systems and would allow new digital transmission technologies to operate under same rules as spread spectrum systems. In general, proposal appears to update Part 15 rules to allow operation of technologies that employ smart hopping techniques to avoid interference in band. In general, changes aim to address coexistence of increased applications in 2.4 GHz, including by wireless technologies based on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and HomeRF wireless networking systems.