An FCC spokesman disputed a contention that the Commission has dr...

Technological Advisory Council and the CEO of a wireless broadband company -- made the accusation at a Silicon Valley meeting late Tues. (CD Oct 19 p4). His criticism of Commission activity went back years. But he saved his harshest words for Chmn. Martin, who has headed the FCC since March 2005 and whom Hendricks derided as a “waste of space.” FCC spokesman Clyde Ensslin didn’t comment on that characterization Thurs. “The Commission’s rules provide the flexibility that allows the deployment of both licensed and unlicensed networks, [so] public and private organizations and service providers can choose from among the range of options that best meet local needs,” he said concerning municipal wireless. The Martin Commission has taken several actions consistent with the Feb. 2005 recommendations of the task force, Ensslin said. He listed the recent AWS spectrum auction; the 700 MHz band auction planned next year; action on BRS/EBS rules for the 2.5 MHz band; making available 255 MHz in the 5 GHz band; resolving technical matters on the TV “white spaces”; and completing rules on BPL service, which can have a wireless piece. Ensslin declined to discuss which actions fulfilled specific task-force recommendations. He also wouldn’t discuss the likelihood that Hendricks will be reappointed to the Council when his term runs out at year-end -- a possibility that Hendricks discounted.