Back-and-forth is continuing at FCC over ultra-wideband (UWB) proceeding, with Sirius Satellite Radio telling Commission Tues. it should ignore advice of Fantasma Networks to split rulemaking between GPS and non-GPS bands. UWB developer Fantasma told agency last week it should bifurcate rulemaking between devices in those 2 bands. Fantasma was responding to letter to FCC from broad group of wireless, GPS, satellite radio and air transport interests that asked agency to not take final action on operation of UWB devices under Part 15 rules without further notice of proposed rulemaking. Fantasma recommended FCC authorize UWB technologies that operated in non-GPS spectrum, splitting off regulatory consideration of technology using GPS spectrum. Sirius argued in latest letter that “Fantasma misunderstands the data in the record concerning interference caused by non-GPS band UWB devices, continues to ignore its own burden of proof in this matter and reached the mistaken conclusion that immediate Commission action is warranted.” Sirius contended testing of impact of UWB devices on non-GPS systems was “hardly complete” and tests to date showed interference with incumbents. Sirius told FCC that NTIA testing found deployment of UWB devices below 3.1 GHz would present interference problems for govt. and commercial systems. It said premature agency action could cause disruption to services such as Enhanced 911 and GPS. Among issues NTIA tests didn’t cover is impact of UWB on commercial receivers such as those of Sirius, said Robert Briskman, co-founder of Sirius. NTIA tests in non-GPS bands focused only on federal receivers, not some of more sensitive systems, he said. One of Sirius’s concerns is that UWB devices “that would be the most bothersome to us are ones that are not yet apparently well-defined,” Briskman said. “Specifically, I am talking about the communications devices and the devices in cars that would sense the distance to other cars,” he told us. Meanwhile, backers of UWB also were lining up at Commission. Intel in ex parte filing last week said further notice sought by group of companies wasn’t needed because: (1) Current proceeding had given commenters ample opportunity to address issues. (2) Ultra-wideband had the potential to become “a very useful technology. Adding administrative process in this case will add needless delay and cost to UWB to the detriment of consumers.” Intel said that “expeditious consideration” by FCC would advance goals of Chmn. Powell “of reforming FCC’s processes to foster innovation and investment.”
Regionwide testing of Qwest operation support systems (OSS) began Tues. in 13 of its 14 states. Company officials predicted favorable report from regional test administrator KPMG after testing concludes in July that will allow carrier to file first Sec. 271 interLATA long distance application with FCC before Labor Day and file for rest of its states by next spring. But Qwest gave no clue as to which state would be first and declined to confirm speculation that it would be Colo. or Ariz. Qwest Senior Vp-Law & Policy Steve Davis did indicate that Ariz., along with Neb. and Iowa, would be among early states, with Minn. and S.D. among last.
FCC Cable Bureau extended deadline for filing reply comments in Commission’s interactive TV inquiry. Instead of original April 20 deadline, new date is May 11. Cable Bureau acted after receiving petition for extension from consumer groups.
ArrayComm and 11 other technology developers created TDD Coalition that’s urging FCC to make spectrum allocations for wireless broadband data systems using time division duplex (TDD). Companies requested regulators to make unpaired spectrum available for TDD-based services instead of paired frequencies typically allocated for mobile wireless services. ArrayComm Senior Vp Bradley Holmes said TDD-based systems that offer wireless broadband services are expected to complement 3rd generation wireless services that use frequency division duplex technology that requires paired bands of spectrum. Other coalition members are Aperto Networks, BeamReach Networks, Caly Networks, Clearwire, Harris Corp., IPWireless, LinkAir, Malibu Networks, Radiant Networks, Raze Technologies, Wavion. Coalition said it wanted U.S. spectrum decisions to align with those of Europe and Japan, which already have made unpaired frequencies available for technologies such as TDD. Holmes said one concern of companies such as ArrayComm was that because other countries were beginning to make allocations dedicated to both TDD and FDD for advanced wireless services, if U.S. didn’t move in same direction, systems developed in U.S. would be deployed elsewhere first. ArrayComm’s technologies include i-Burst, portable broadband system that offers data rates of 1 Mbps, although company said technology could provide up to 40 Mbps per cell site. Holmes, treasurer of new coalition, told us that ArrayComm was conducting FCC-approved market trial in San Diego. Under experimental license granted by agency, ArrayCom can deploy i-Burst technology there until end of next year using 5 MHz of spectrum. As part of FCC proceeding that’s examining bands for potentially providing more spectrum for 3G, ArrayComm asked FCC to make allocations for not just FDD but for TDD as well. ArrayComm contended that technology could offer high-speed data in less spectrum than FDD-based technologies. “We're saying give us one block of 10 MHz,” Holmes said. Without channel plan that allowed single block optimized for TDD, technology developers said their concern was they would have to vie for 2 paired blocks in auctions against larger wireless carriers using FDD-based systems, even though TDD needed only one block. Holmes said ArrayComm could deploy technology in as little as 5 MHz, but ideally would prefer 10 MHz.
Digital audio broadcasting (DAB) company iBiquity said its field tests in San Francisco were success in results submitted to FCC and National Radio Systems Committee. IBiquity said San Francisco was technically difficult environment for DAB because of reflections and interference caused by urban environment and surrounding mountains.
FCC Wireless Bureau outlined procedures and opening bids for June 26 auction of licenses for lower and upper paging bands. Licenses available include 14,000 lower paging bands (35-36 MHz, 43-44 MHz, 152-159 MHz, 454-460 MHz) and 1,514 upper paging bands (929-930 MHz and 931-932 MHz) that were unsold in first paging auction. Geographic areas include U.S., Guam and N. Marianna Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa. Bureau said auction seminar would be May 3, with short-form applications due May 14, upfront payments June 4, mock auction June 24.
National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) completed testing of caller location system developed by U.S. Wireless, concluding it met Enhanced 911 (E911) Phase 2 requirements. NENA is evaluating and reporting on availability of wireless location technologies and their ability to meet Oct. deadline for E911 Phase 2 set by FCC. NENA represents 7,000 public safety workers who manage primary 911 call centers. “After this testing, we are confident that there are existing location technologies meeting FCC requirements,” NENA Exec. Dir. Mark Adams said. “E911 is critical for public safety and its implementation must not be delayed.” Assn. tested U.S. Wireless solution last month in Seattle, including areas with dense urban, residential, light industrial and freeway environments. Separately, Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) reiterated its “disappointment” Tues. with waiver request filed last week by AT&T Wireless at FCC seeking permission to deploy hybrid network and handset solution for E911 Phase 2. “While APCO will review carefully the details of the AT&T Wireless request, we are troubled not only because yet another carrier has decided to seek a waiver, but also in terms of what it means for the safety of our nation’s citizens,” APCO Pres. Lyle Gallagher said. APCO is holding news conference today (Wed.) in Washington to present letters to FCC from public safety answering points in U.S. cities requesting wireless E911 services from wireless carriers.
Making 2nd round Ka-band spectrum allocations hasn’t been high priority at FCC, but U.S. eventually may lose valuable spectrum slots at ITU “if nothing is done,” Pegasus Communications CEO Mark Pagon said in interview: “A lot of other things seem to be more important [to Commission officials]. For some reason, they act like they don’t want to deal with this, but this is a very critical issue.” Pagon said new leadership at FCC was in position to change bureaucratic structure and begin to move policies through faster. In meeting last week with 2nd round Ka- band applicants, Commission said it would resolve outstanding licensing issues by end of summer, according to industry source who attended one-hour session hosted by FCC International Bureau (CD July 31 p1).
Jeff Grove, ex-staff dir., House Technology Subcommittee, named dir., Assn. for Computing Machinery Public Policy Office… Robert Marcus, exec. vp, Time Warner Digital Media, moves to senior vp-AOL Time Warner… Deborah Malone, ex-CNBC International, appointed dir.-international development, B2BWorks… Lou Dobbs resigns as CEO, Space.com, to become anchor, CNN Moneyline Newshour… William Kennard, ex-FCC chmn., joins Handspring board… Barry Stoner, ex-Stoner Productions, Seattle, appointed senior vp-content development, WITF-TV-AM-FM Harrisburg… John Woods, ex-private practice, named of counsel, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo… Joining Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments as interest segment representatives: Interexchange Carrier, Clifford Chamney, Sprint, primary; Testing Laboratory: Anh Wride, Communications Certification Laboratory and Roland Gubisch, Intertek Testing Services, primary; Anh Nguyen, Underwriters Laboratories, alternate; Local Exchange Carrier: James Eitel, Qwest and Charles Bailey, SBC, primary; Charles Eppert, Verizon, alternate; Network Equipment Manufacturer: Maurice Levitt, Larscom, and Pierre Adornato, Nortel Networks, primary; Steve Dennett, Motorola, alternate; Other Interested Party: Elizabeth Wilson, Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People, primary; Terminal Equipment Manufacturer: Stephen Whitesell, Vtech, primary… Changes at Vivendi Universal: Bruce Hack advanced to exec. vp-strategic planning & business development, succeeding Agnes Audier, promoted to co-COO, Vivendi Universal Net… Kevin Brauer, ex-Sprint, elected to BroadbandUSA board… Bryan Edgell, ex-Sony, appointed vp-corporate sales, Fast Forward Video… Lavonne Johnson, ex-LBJ Communications, named dir.-communications, N.J. Cable Telecom Assn.
Broadband service providers (BSPs), new breed of cable and telco overbuilders heralded as future of communications industry less than year ago, have fallen on hard times. Stung by Wall St.’s abrupt refusal to pour more money into capital-intensive business since last summer, most BSPs have either scaled back their construction plans drastically in recent months or dropped out of market altogether. Even RCN Corp., ambitious “granddaddy” of overbuilders backed by billionaire Paul Allen, has cut back, turning its attention away from new regions to focus on areas where it already is building plant. “Everybody got crunched,” said Mark Haverkate, CEO of WideOpenWest (WOW), another leading BSP. “The [capital] markets have changed quite a bit.”