Port Authority of N.Y. and N.J. is seeking temporary FCC waiver of certain rules related to its Part 90 land mobile service and Part 101 microwave radio service stations that had used World Trade Center as transmitting or receiving site. Part 90 and Part 101 licenses automatically cancel when operation permanently discontinues, which is defined in regulations as at least one year of defunct operation. Unless waiver is granted, Port Authority said microwave radio and land mobile licenses covered under request would die automatically Sept. 11. “Temporary waiver is required until such time as the Port Authority is able to reconstruct and resume operation of these communication stations,” agency told FCC. Each station cited by Port Authority either used World Trade Center complex as transmission site or, in case of several microwave facilities, as receiving site for path transmitting from another location. Before Sept. 11, World Trade Center had been one of primary antenna sites for Port Authority, which operates large network of public safety mobile radio and microwave facilities in N.Y.-N.J. area. “While it has been possible to relocate some facilities to other sites on a temporary, or in some cases, permanent basis, the restoration of many of its communications facilities is part of the planning process for the restoration of the World Trade Center site,” waiver request said. Agency said its waiver request “more than satisfies” regulatory requirements for relief. “Not only does it intend to resume operation as promptly as possible, but the need for these essential public safety facilities has been heightened because of the attacks,” it said. Port Authority noted that in past, FCC had granted public safety agencies additional time to meet those requirements due to special funding and planning circumstances. Agency cited “daunting challenges” it faces in reconstructing communications that were lost when World Trade Center was destroyed.
Nextel told FCC it opposed compromise plan floated by Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) operators covering relocation spectrum as part of band-clearing options for 3G services. MDS operators, including BellSouth, Nucentrix Broadband Networks, Sprint and WorldCom, told FCC last month that if 2150-2162 MHz were reallocated for 3G, those licensees could be relocated to 1910-1916 and 1990-1996 MHz. But Nextel told Commission in Aug. 9 ex parte filing that would conflict with compromise plan recently offered for mitigating interference to public safety operators at 800 MHz. Public safety operators, group of private wireless licensees and Nextel last week submitted revised spectrum swap plan to FCC that would split 800 MHz band into 2 blocks, with public safety and business/industrial land transportation operators in one and Nextel in other (CD Aug 8 p1). Proposal called on FCC to redesignate 1910-1915/1990- 1995 MHz bands to Nextel in exchange for 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz spectrum that carrier would return to FCC for reassignment to public safety and private wireless systems. “The 1910-1915/1990-1995 MHz bands are well suited to be replacement spectrum for Nextel, which would require no service rule changes to operate in these bands,” carrier said. “MDS, in contrast, would require significant rule changes that would essentially change MDS Channels 1 and 2 from fixed to mobile services.” Nextel cited recommendation in recent NTIA 3G viability assessment that only 45 MHz in 2.1 GHz band be reallocated to 3G, meaning “several new relocation options have opened up for MDS operators.” That now probably would require shift of only MDS Channel 1 from 2150-2156 MHz, filing said. Nextel is 2nd company recently to oppose MDS compromise plan at FCC. Late last week, ICO Global Communications said there was no basis for relocating 1990-1996 MHz to MDS in pending 3G spectrum reconfigurations (CD Aug 14 p3). ICO said MDS compromise plan would “wreak havoc” with 2 MHz mobile satellite service systems.
United Telecom Council (UTC) said it still opposes mandatory re-banding of 800 MHz band to resolve interference to public safety operators. Nextel, public safety operators and coalition of private wireless licensees last week submitted revised spectrum swap plan to FCC designed to alleviate public safety interference at 800 MHz (CD Aug 8 p1). In part, plan would split 800 MHz band into 2 contiguous blocks, with public safety, business/industrial land transportation and traditional Specialized Mobile Radio licensees remaining in 20 MHz noncellular block and Nextel relocating to 16 MHz cellularized block. UTC said it couldn’t back mandatory re-banding plan because it: (1) Wouldn’t resolve interference. (2) Didn’t suggest funding mechanism. (3) Would “greatly” disrupt systems of existing users. UTC said it instead has proposed specific recommendations for stricter technical rules and responsibility for resolving interference. UTC said those causing interference should have to resolve it in “reasonable timeframe” and at their own cost. “However, all parties using the 800 MHz band should have the flexibility to exchange frequencies and voluntarily retune to achieve rebanding as needed,” group said. Specifically, UTC said Nextel compromise plan leaves several questions unanswered, including funding source for forced retuning, how Canadian and Mexican border frequencies would be handled and whether “proposed technology restrictions will stifle the implementation of more efficient systems.”
In one of most significant steps FCC has taken to transition to DTV, commissioners voted 3-1 Thurs. to force CE manufacturers to include over-the-air DTV tuners in virtually all TV sets by 2007. Move had been expected (CD Aug 8 p3). Broadcasters applauded decision, with NAB Pres. Edward Fritts calling it “an important first step” in ensuring all Americans would have access to over-the-air broadcast DTV after they returned highly valuable spectrum to govt. CEA vowed challenge either by seeking reconsideration or by filing lawsuit in federal court on behalf of CE manufacturers who must comply with Commission’s order.
In one of most significant steps FCC has taken to transition to DTV, commissioners voted 3-1 Thurs. to force CE manufacturers to include over-the-air DTV tuners in virtually all TV sets by 2007. Move had been expected (CED Aug 8 p1). Broadcasters applauded decision, with NAB Pres. Edward Fritts calling it “an important first step” in ensuring all Americans would have access to over-the-air broadcast DTV after they returned highly valuable spectrum to govt. CEA vowed challenge either by seeking reconsideration or by filing lawsuit in federal court on behalf of CE manufacturers who must comply with Commission’s order.
Nextel, public safety groups and coalition of private wireless licensees submitted revised spectrum swap plan to FCC Wed. to alleviate public safety interference at 800 MHz. Revamped proposal came after Commission last month granted additional time for parties to craft solutions in reply comments on rulemaking adopted earlier this year. Unlike original White Paper that Nextel submitted to FCC in Nov. on interference solutions, compromise plan explicitly provides replacement spectrum for private wireless operators. Another difference is that original Nextel plan would have provided carrier with 10 MHz in mobile satellite service band at 2.1 GHz in exchange for spectrum it was giving up elsewhere to reconfigure 700, 800 and 900 MHz bands. Latest plan instead would take that replacement spectrum from 5 MHz of unlicensed PCS spectrum at 1.9 GHz and another 5 MHz of reserve MSS spectrum, Nextel Senior Vp-Chief Regulatory Officer Robert Foosaner said in conference call with investors Wed.
Air Force Space Command said it expected to publish request for proposals Aug. 15 for satellite and land mobile radio communications operations and maintenance.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- NARUC’s Telecom and Consumer Affairs committees adopted 8 telecom-related policy resolutions at group’s summer meeting here, addressing rights-of-way, number portability, universal service, wireless service and consumer rights. All must be ratified by NARUC’s board of directors before they become official policy. Board convened after our deadline, but committees’ leaders were expecting approval.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- NARUC study committee on public rights-of-way (ROW), formed last winter, offered 178-page draft report outlining several possible methods for states to consider in addressing competing interests involved in their management for telecom use. But portion of report addressing ROW fees prompted clash Sun. between local exchange industry and local govt. representatives at NARUC’s summer meeting here, and some state delegations wanted it made clear that while report was interesting and valuable, it didn’t represent official NARUC policy position on ROW questions.
Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) affiliate urged public safety licensees last week to respond to FCC Wireless Bureau audit of private land mobile radio station operators. APCO affiliate Automated Frequency Coordination Inc. said Wireless Bureau had sent letters to Part 90 licensees with authorized facilities below 512 MHz, seeking information about operational status of stations for which they were licensed. Object is to update FCC’s database of those licensees and to result in return of spectrum in cases of cancellation or notification that licenses weren’t needed any longer. APCO said FCC had indicated it had heard from only 43% of public safety agencies. “That means of the 57,000 letters sent out in the second mailing for public safety licensees alone, no responses have been received for 33,176 of the letters,” APCO said. “While the FCC has made no definite commitment to any final action for nonresponding licensees, they clearly are warning that, by not responding, they risk automatic cancellation of their license authorizations.”