Knapp Calls Innovation Alive Despite Spectrum Proceedings’ Demise

“The Spectrum Policy Task Force tossed out a number of ideas that were ahead of their time,” Knapp said: “If you look at all the spectrum actions that are going on right now, it’s remarkable, using all sorts of different techniques, some of which weren’t even thought about at the time the policy task force was going on… Spectrum is one of our core objectives.”

The Commission’s work has outrun the 2 proposals, among the most controversial in the 2002 task force report, Knapp said: “There are a lot of spectrum actions going on right now… That was one set of ideas.”

A brief FCC order ended a March 2003 inquiry on the need for broadly incorporating receiver interference immunity performance specifications into spectrum policy decisions. The record in the proceeding is outdated, the order said: Receiver interference immunity performance specifications “may be addressed in proceedings that are frequency band or service specific.”

Comrs. Copps and Adelstein concurred, but aired concerns in a joint statement. “The agency has a statutory duty to encourage more efficient uses of the radio spectrum… An integrated approach to regulating receiver performance could play an important role in achieving this goal.” They have been reassured that the inquiry’s end won’t keep the FCC from considering receiver standards in particular proceedings or foreclose a general notice of rulemaking on the topic, they said: “Receiver standards should be part of the discussion in many of the spectrum decisions our agency reaches.”

The Commission also terminated a Nov. 2003 inquiry and rulemaking on using an “interference temperature” model to manage interference. “Commenting parties generally argued that the interference temperature approach is not a workable concept and would result in increased interference in the frequency bands where it would be used,” the order said.

Copps raised concerns in a concurrence about ending that proceeding. “The interference temperature method of managing interference holds promise in improving the Commission’s ability to carry out its statutory duty to encourage more efficient uses of the radio spectrum,” he said: “The record in this proceeding, as well as academic commentary, indicate that the Commission’s ongoing consideration of the issue would be useful… I hope that today’s decision does not represent the end of the Commission’s work in this important area.”

Ending the proceedings is part of an FCC effort to whittle its backlog. With the Martin chairmanship in its 3rd year, the Commission has also cut off other proceedings and wrapped up work on several orders in recent months. Bureau chiefs on a late Fri. panel said the backlog is being handled. “As far as the number of [pending] applications and proceedings we look as good as the Wireless Bureau has looked looking back many, many years,” said FCC Wireless Bureau Chief Fred Campbell. -- Howard Buskirk

FCBA Notebook…

Chmn. Martin is circulating an additional order and rulemaking on protecting customer proprietary network information (CPNI), this time addressing international aspects of data protection, said John Hunter, an aide to Comr. McDowell. The rulemaking asks questions such as whether there should “be rules governing the foreign storage of domestically generated CPNI,” Hunter said. The item has received little 8th-floor attention, but carriers are starting to seek meetings, sources said Mon. -- HB ----

Despite wireless carriers’ concerns, work is proceeding to clear govt. incumbents off spectrum sold by the FCC in the advanced wireless services auction, said NTIA Deputy Dir. Meredith Baker. Carriers worry about DoD, DoJ and DHS holding spectrum in the AWS band. “It really is going well,” Baker said, saying she maintains an “open door” to carriers concerned about clearance. “We have said that as soon as we see anything that’s not going right we're going to nip it in the bud,” she told reporters: “There are always concerns and I appreciate that and we're happy to look into concerns. What I need is something that’s not going right that I can act on. I will make sure that any wrong is righted.” Baker has yet to encounter a “concrete problem” needing action, she said. There are concerns that there might be problems in the future,” she said: “Thus far we have heard everything is positive from industry as far as how it’s going and from the feds that they're actually moving.” ----

Richard Russell, White House telecom adviser, was among speakers disputing Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD) data showing the U.S. slipping in rank on broadband penetration. Russell cited contradictions in OECD’s tabulation, citing an OECD report’s charts. “One of the countries doing the worst is Ireland,” he said: “The very next chart showed absolute investment in [information & technology] in the country of Ireland is off the chart when it comes to Europe. Clearly there is a complete mismatch in the statistics that we're looking at.” The U.S. needs better tools for broadband progress, he said. Without good data, “we never know what we're doing right,” Russell said: “We have all sorts of new technologies that are rolling out in the U.S. They're rolling out very quickly. But one of the things we haven’t really gotten a good handle on is how we measure success.” ----

Russell, U.S. ambassador to this year’s WRC meeting, said U.S. representatives and business will overcome differences to find unity on issues there. “U.S. government interests and industry interests are much more closely aligned than other international interests,” he said: “The vast majority of the tension and contentious issues… have been resolved. We're working through a handful of others, none of which I think are going to be showstoppers going into the WRC.” ----

FCC 8th floor legal advisers said their bosses’ main goals are setting rules for the 700 MHz auction as quickly as possible and holding the auction. “If we get [rules] done by June, we'd be in great shape to have the auction in Jan.,” said Barry Ohlson, aide to Comr. Adelstein. John Hunter of Comr. McDowell’s office said his boss “is focused on the 700 MHZ auction to make sure it stays on track. That is a high priority for us.” And Aaron Goldberger, aide to Comr. Tate, said: “We have an ambitious schedule. The earlier we can have rules out, the earlier we can have the auction, the better it is for everyone.”