WIRELESS CARRIERS WARN OF PROBLEMS FROM PROPOSED H-BAND AUCTION
Wireless carriers descended on the FCC last week for a series of meetings to point to potential major interference problems that could be caused to other PCS communications if the H-block spectrum is made available at auction (CD July 21 p2). The group argued that “nothing can be done” that would eliminate interference risks. Carrier sources said they sought the meetings only after it became clear that the FCC may look at auctioning H-block spectrum in an item at its Sept. meeting.
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A group led by CTIA met with top officials Thurs at the Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering & Technology. The CTIA-led group argued that the Commission shouldn’t license 1915-1920/1995-2000 MHz band for services that could create harmful interference for existing PCS systems. “Existing PCS mobile receive filters cannot sufficiently attenuate in-band H-block emissions,” the group said, according to an ex parte filed at the FCC: “As a result, H-block mobile transmitters can overload other PCS mobile receivers.” The group argued that this interference potentially would affect all PCS mobiles and “nothing can be done to solve this in-band problem.”
Instead, the carrier group argued, the “Commission should consider use of the band for low-power unlicensed devices or licensed services that will not cause harmful interference to PCS.” Motorola, which previously raised red flags about the proposal, was part of the CTIA-led group, as was Qualcomm and Ericsson. The participation of handset manufacturers can give CTIA additional credibility on the issue, since they would focus mainly on technical rather than competitiveness issues, officials said.
Nextel indicated it will break with its peers on the issue and recommend the use of H-block spectrum for advanced wireless services. Nextel officials met with OET and the Wireless Bureau Fri. to argue that the H-block could safely be used. Nextel said that while “encumbrances may restrain potential use of the H-block somewhat,” those restrictions would be taken into account by carriers as they assess the value of licenses in the band.
Sources say Nextel -- expected to get G-band spectrum as part of the 800 MHz rebanding plan -- could have the most to gain if nearby H-block spectrum is offered for sale. H-block frequency could be used as “fill-in” spectrum, especially for carriers like Nextel and T-Mobile, in the market for bandwidth. T-Mobile did participate in the CTIA-led meeting. The most significant possible problems loom for nearby PCS spectrum, especially A-block licenses at 1930 MHz and above.