Wireless Task Force Recommends Higher Power Levels
The FCC’s Wireless Broadband Access Task Force advised the FCC to raise the transmission power limits for wireless data providers in rural areas of the U.S. as part of a set of preliminary recommendations following a nearly year-long investigation. The group, formed last May, also said Thurs. that future FCC regulation should be based on a “pro-competitive, innovative” framework with limited barriers at the federal and state levels. It said the FCC should consider classifying wireless broadband as an “information service” and examining whether it constitutes an interstate service not subject to significant state regulation.
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“Looking at the framework applied to commercial mobile radio services and the incredible success of the mobile telephone industry that has resulted, we believe a similar deregulatory approach should apply to all wireless broadband services,” said FCC staffer Chelsea Fallon, who presented the report.
In another key finding, the FCC-staff group said the Commission should eliminate hurdles for Wi-Fi providers to report unlawful technical violations such as jamming and power boosting and should find ways to promote licensed data networks, especially in the 700 MHz band through a speed-up of the digital TV transition.
The task force also said the FCC should promote voluntary best practices and frequency coordination efforts among users of exempt devices, modeled on initiatives under way in cities including San Francisco. And it recommended the Commission find ways to pair spectrum asymmetrically, recognizing that most wireless Internet communications require more capacity on the downlink than uplink side.
The findings ultimately may prove less controversial than some proposals of the Spectrum Policy Task Force -- for example on interference temperatures and use of TV white spaces. A wireless carrier source said her initial reading is that the report won’t be controversial except for its findings on regulatory jurisdiction, which reopen a recurring debate at the FCC. The higher power levels, for example, may not be a threat to licensed users because they're in a part of the band far enough away from airwaves that carriers use not to pose an interference threat.
Comr. Copps said he disagreed with some of the recommendations, but the Commission didn’t have to vote Thurs. on the conclusions. “In any case, I am glad that we have dug into these issues,” he said.
Comr. Abernathy said the report raises issues the Commission must address, given the stakes for the future of communications. “I am happy to see that we're headed down the right path. Our ultimate goal is for consumers to have multiple choices of broadband providers. Clearly, wireless is one of those providers,” she said. “With this in mind we have to do more. We have to take more steps… We don’t have the luxury of just sitting back and hoping all of this will work itself out.”
The report notes 34 cities already have some type of network. It predicted 150,000 Wi-Fi hot spots will be in place worldwide by year-end.
“The Commission needs to continue to create an innovative regulatory environment that will provide opportunities beyond today’s technological horizon,” said Chmn. Powell. “The Task Force’s report offers some concrete suggestions as to how we can make that possible and is a positive step for progress in implementing the Commission’s broadband vision.”
“Today’s FCC Task Force report recognizes the great strides in innovation that mobile wireless providers have made, thanks in large part to a deregulated, competitive national regulatory framework,” said CTIA Pres. Steve Largent. “A national, market-oriented regulatory environment will spur further deployment of wireless broadband services, especially to consumers in rural areas.”