Martin Circulates Order to Allow Smaller Antenna for Backhaul
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin late last week began circulating on the eighth floor an order approving a proposal by FiberTower to allow smaller antennas for 11-GHz transmissions. The proposal has raised interference concerns in the satellite industry, especially from Mobile Satellite Ventures. But supporters say use of the 2-foot antennas will help carriers expand their networks as they offer 3G and 4G services, especially after the coming 700 MHz auction.
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The 11 GHz band, 10.7-11.7 GHz, increasingly sees use for wireless carrier backhaul. The smaller antennas weigh about a quarter what larger antennas do, cost less to install and maintain, are less vulnerable to wind and enable delivery of low-cost broadband service to unserved areas, said FiberTower, the technology’s main supporter. “With the commission being flexible here, it allows us to provide a better array of services,” Joseph Sandri, senior vice president of government and regulatory affairs at FiberTower, told us Friday. “We can get longer distances in areas where normally we're not allowed to put a larger dish because of zoning requirements or wind loading or weight loading requirements on towers or buildings.”
Sandri hopes the final rules will be close to those proposed in the March notice of rulemaking. “If they decide to delay its implementation for a long period of time for some reasons that could be an issue,” he said. “We'll just be looking at the timing.”
FiberTower asked the FCC to change its rules to allow the smaller antennas in a July 2004 petition for rulemaking. The FCC approved a rulemaking March 22. Commissioner Robert McDowell said at the time that the rule changes should mean more competition for backhaul as carriers expand networks. Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein called the rulemaking long overdue. But satellite operators continued to voice concerns in a meeting last week at the FCC.
“The FCC recognizes the importance of MSS services to the emergency response community, as demonstrated by the recent 700 MHz decision,” MSV said Friday. “To ensure that these critical services are protected from harmful interference we trust that the FCC will implement appropriate interference protections in this proceeding.”
“We're all for efficient use of the band, but make sure you protect the satellite feeder links,” a second satellite industry source said.