700 MHz Band Proceeding Looks at Broadband Possibilities
The FCC recently adopted an Eighth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on the potential for broadband wireless technology in the public safety communications allocation in the 700 MHz band (746-776 MHz and 794-806 MHz).
The NPRM seeks proposals designed to modify the 24 megahertz 700 MHz public safety band, originally allocated for narrowband and voice communications, to accommodate broadband operations, according to Cathy W. Seidel, Acting Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. “In the intervening years, broadband communications technologies have improved significantly, enabling new high-speed data and real time video applications,” said Seidel.
In addition to proposals for alternative configurations of the 700 MHz band to accommodate different channel sizes, to minimize interference to voice channels, the NPRM seeks comments on the use of guard bands, and the current configuration and location of the narrowband voice channels. It also seeks information on wideband data interoperability standards and how best to promote spectrum efficiency and interoperability in a modified band plan.
“It is true, what was present five years ago has completely changed now. Keeping up with the changes is a constant challenge,” Commissioner Jonathon Adelstein. “I look forward to the consideration of petitions of the guard band managers. [That] may be another opportunity to improve spectrum use in that valuable spectrum.”
EWA anticipates that this proceeding will foster a lively debate regarding the optimum approaches to provide public safety with broadband capabilities and the methods necessary to create a nationwide interoperable broadband solution.
Senators Press for IP-based Interoperability
In related 700 MHz news, TR Daily has reported that six Senators are looking to guarantee that Internet Protocol based technology is used in at least some of the 700 MHz public safety allocation. In a letter, the Senators asked the Bush administration to set aside $1 billion for interoperability based on Internet protocol-based technologies in the 700 MHz band. The funding was included in deficit reduction legislation setting a firm 2009 deadline for the end of the digital TV transition. Sending the letter were Sens. John E. Sununu (R., N.H.), George Allen (R., VA.), Conrad Burns (R., Mont.), Bill Nelson (D., FL.), Jim DeMint (R., S.C.), and Jim Talent (R., MO.).
FCC Proposes New Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking creating a Public Safety and Homeland Security (PSHS) Bureau. The new bureau would be designed to better address public safety, homeland security, emergency management preparedness and disaster management. FCC Chairman Martin said the bureau will begin with fewer than 150 personnel and suggested that, over time, critical infrastructure radio licensees might be moved into the PSHS Bureau.
The new bureau would be divided into three divisions: policy, public outreach, and operations and communications systems analysis. The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau will handle the following issues and functions, some of which have previously been dispersed among seven different bureaus and offices:
- Public safety communications
- 911/Enhanced 911 (E911) requirements
- Public Safety Answering Points
- Interoperability and operability of public safety communications
- Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act
- Priority emergency communications
- Alert and warning of U.S. citizens
- Continuity of government operations and Continuity of Operations planning
- Public safety outreach
- Disaster management coordination and outreach
- 24/7 Communications Center
- Communications infrastructure protection
- Network reliability and resiliency and security
- Advisory Committees and panels focused on public safety and security issues
The proposed key goals of the new bureau are: maintaining coordinated response capabilities in the face of disasters, effectively addressing the needs of the public safety community and responding more efficiently to emergencies or disaster situations.
The Bureau will stress the need for more effective action before, during and after emergencies. To do this, the new bureau will need to coordinate with other government agencies and with industry, first responders to enhance network resiliency and recovery.
Commissioner Jonathon Adelstein specifically noted the interrelation between public safety and business and industrial/land transportation, which are licensed in the same band, and that the Commission will need to consider how to handle spectrum policy decisions and licensing activities that affect both public safety and non-public safety.
The FCC must still notifyCongress of its plans and secure approval from the FCC’s labor union.. It remains critical to EWA that the FCC identify resources to manage the policy, regulatory and licensing requirements of critical infrastructure, private enterprise and communication service providers, many of whom provide public safety entities with primary service capabilities.
EWA Meets with FCC to Refute Airports’ Claims
In February, the Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) submitted a filing supporting the Massachusetts Port Authority’s (Massport) attempts to control and manage unlicensed spectrum at Boston’s Logan Airport, asserting that airports are “unique and highly complex entities” and, therefore, should receive an exemption of the Commission’s Over the Air Reception Devices (OTARD) rules, which prohibit state and local entities from usurping federal regulatory authority.
After filing a letter in response to the ACI-NA filing, on March 9th, Tim Totten, UPS; Mark Crosby, EWA; Liz Sachs, EWA Legal Counsel; and Scott Delacourt, Wiley, Rein & Fielding discussed their opposition to Massport’s position with officials in the Office of Engineering and Technology. In summary, our position is that ACI-NA and MassPort are ignoring the fact that the unlicensed bands are shared bands and that users of Part 15 devices that operated in those bands do not have priority over any other user.
Bills Would Give Unlicensed Users Access to Unused TV Channels
Two bills going through Congress would increase the amount of spectrum available for unlicensed devices, including wireless broadband. Vacant frequencies between TV channels would be available to wireless broadband providers if the legislation passes, according to a report in a March 13th article in USA Today. One bill, S. 2332, entitled “Unused Television Spectrum Made Available for Wireless Use” includes spectrum between 72 and 698 MHz, excepting 608 and 614 MHz submitted by Senator Ted Stevens, R. Alaska. Wireless device manufacturers would be required to protect incumbent licensed services from harmful interference from such unlicensed devices. The other bill, S. 2327, was submitted by Sens. George Allen (R. VA), John Kerry (D. MA), John Sununu (R. NH), and Barbara Boxer (D. CA).
The spectrum allocation is gaining support because of the belief that it would foster the delivery of high-speed Internet access to underserved rural areas, according to USA Today.
EWA is on record at the Commission as opposing the deployment of unlicensed devices in the 470-512 MHz band, which is heavily used by land mobile systems.
In-Flight Digital Information Coming to
UPS Fleet
United Parcel Service (UPS), a member of EWA, plans to retrofit much of its jet fleet with a computerized display system that is designed to improve communications to the cockpit, reducing fuel use, improving navigation and providing pilots with warnings of potential collisions on the ground and more timely information on factors such as long-range weather forecasts.
The retrofit program, which will begin with 107 B-757 and B-767 aircraft in the UPS fleet, will equip each plane with a Class III Display Device, commonly referred to as a Class III Electronic Flight Bag, manufactured by the Boeing Company. The Class III Display Device is essentially an information system with two independent computer hard drives coupled to a specially constructed video display.
Hutton Holds Educational Series
Hutton Communications will launch its 2006 Hutton Educational Series April 11-13 in Phoenix, Arizona. The series, which runs from April to November, emphasizes the latest trends and technologies in the wireless industry. The year-long Hutton Educational Series of seven classes and nine wireless certifications courses takes place in 15 locations through out the United States. Click here to download a PDF version of the HES 2006 schedule. For more information, call 877-648-8866 x 0196 or Register On-line.
Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet
Due April 1st
April 1, 2006, is the last day for all telecommunications carriers to file the April 2006 Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet, FCC Form 499-A. Telecommunications carriers are defined by the FCC as entities that provide the transmission between or among points specified by the user without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received. All telecommunications carriers - whether CMRS or PMRS and whether providing interstate service or not - must file the Worksheet. Even, community repeater operators and private carriers in the lower bands are considered to be telecommunications carriers.
The Worksheet covers a number of different cost recovery mechanisms.
· From the data filed on the Worksheet, the Commission will calculate contributions to the Universal Service Support mechanism, the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) and the shared costs of long-term Local Number Portability Administration (LNPA).
· Even if you are not required to contribute to each of the support mechanisms, you will still need to file the Worksheet because it relates to multiple cost recovery mechanisms.
Below is a summary of which entities contribute to which mechanisms.
1. Universal Service: All interstate telecommunications carriers who provide service to the public for a fee. You are considered to provide interstate service if you are providing interconnected service and therefore are classified as CMRS, or if your system is not interconnected, but has the capacity to transmit or receive messages, even dispatch messages, across state lines. All telecommunications carriers must file the Worksheet whether or not they meet the de minimis standard for purposes of contributing to the Universal Support mechanism.
2. Telecommunications Relay Services: All interstate telecommunications carriers.
3. North American Numbering Plan Administration: All telecommunications carriers.
4. Shared Costs of Local Number Portability Administration: All telecommunications carriers.
The Worksheet should be prepared based on gross revenues from January 1, through December 31, 2005. Do not submit a payment with the Worksheet. The administrators of the four cost recovery mechanisms will bill contributors directly based on the information filed in the Worksheets. Payments must be made by the date listed on the administrators’ bills.
Although there are no major substantive changes on the form this year, carriers who choose to file manually must be sure to file the April 2006 edition of the FCC Form 499-A. The April 2006 Worksheet and associated instructions can be downloaded from the FCC’s web page at http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html. Filers can also complete the form electronically on Universal Service Administrative Company’s website at http://form499.unversalservice.org/. Fore more information, call Karin Norton at 703.797.5127.
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