NASUCA backs M2Z’s petition seeking authority to build and run a broadband network in the 2155-2175 MHz band, it said in a filing at the FCC. M2Z also got potentially significant support from the National Assn. of Telecom Officers & Advisors (NATOA). The endorsements contrasted with a number of harsh oppositions in the FCC docket on M2Z’s controversial proposal.
Wireless Spectrum Auctions
The FCC manages and licenses the electromagnetic spectrum used by wireless, broadcast, satellite and other telecommunications services for government and commercial users. This activity includes organizing specific telecommunications modes to only use specific frequencies and maintaining the licensing systems for each frequency such that communications services and devices using different bands receive as little interference as possible.
What are spectrum auctions?
The FCC will periodically hold auctions of unused or newly available spectrum frequencies, in which potential licensees can bid to acquire the rights to use a specific frequency for a specific purpose. As an example, over the last few years the U.S. government has conducted periodic auctions of different GHz bands to support the growth of 5G services.
A full auction of the spectrum now used for analog TV will harm the U.K.’s chance for free terrestrial HDTV, the BBC said Tues. The lack of free HDTV broadcasts also will cost the U.K. Pounds 4.1 billion-Pounds 15.6 billion in “private and social value,” the public service broadcaster (PSB) said. Its comments came in response to the Digital Dividend Review published by telecom regulator Ofcom, which favors a “technology neutral auction” of the spectrum released by nation’s 2008-2012 switchover to standard definition DTV.
ORLANDO -- Verizon Wireless is in hot pursuit of as much as 1/2 the 60 MHz of the 700 MHz spectrum that the FCC will auction starting this year, sources said at the CTIA show this week. T-Mobile -- which fattened up its spectrum portfolio during last summer’s Advanced Wireless Services auction -- is also expected to be a player in the auction. AT&T officials confirmed this week they're looking at the 700 MHz auction but haven’t made a decision on whether to participate.
A band plan by Access Spectrum and Pegasus for the 700 MHz guard bands, known as the broadband optimization plan (BOP), was endorsed by Chmn. Martin last week during the House Commerce Committee’s FCC oversight hearing, in response to a question from Rep. Stupak (D-Mich.). But sources said Fri. Martin may retreat from his purported support for the plan.
The EPA is targeting cable and satellite set-top boxes and other digital viewing and recording devices for an Energy Star standard, after issuing final specifications in Jan. for DTV converter boxes. A May 15 meeting of concerned parties in Washington will jump-start the new specification effort, the EPA said.
Comr. McDowell said Thurs. he has made no decision on a Skype petition asking that Carterfone rules apply to wireless. McDowell, addressing the Content Abundance in a Multiple World conference at Catholic U., said today’s timetable gives small and rural carriers time to prepare for the 700 MHz auction. He urged that the FCC “create incentives” for the private sector to cut the cost of effective safety communications.
With an FCC decision likely as early as April, parties from across the wireless world entreated the Commission one last time on proposals for creating a national broadband network for public safety. The comments lead inevitably to the conclusion that an FCC proposal for public safety in a late 2006 rulemaking is “deeply flawed,” the Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) said.
U.K.’s Ofcom should make spectrum available for wireless broadband at 2500-2690 MHz, 2010-2025 MHz and 2290-2300 MHz, the Wireless Communications Assn. urged. WCA was answering questions Ofcom asked about the spectrum. “The unavailability of spectrum below 3 GHz for advanced wireless applications remains a matter of concern within the wireless industry,” WCA said, calling Ofcom’s move to open the 2500- 2690 MHz, 2010-2025 MHz and 2290-2300 MHz bands “timely,” in light of rising use of 2 GHz spectrum worldwide, especially in N. and S. America, for wireless broadband services, plus growing European interest in the 2.5 GHz band, with Norway planning to auction the 2.5 GHz band in Oct., and attention paid the 2.5 GHz band at WRC-07 and other conferences. Globalizing the 2.5 GHz band “requires that the band be made available for that purpose in as many countries as possible, as quickly as possible,” WCA said. Ofcom should sell 2.5 GHz spectrum at auction and on a licensed basis, since “efficient, market-driven use of spectrum (and the consumer benefits derived therefrom) is best promoted by an inclusive licensing process that assigns spectrum via competitive bidding,” WCA said.
FCC Chmn. Martin’s limited multicast must-carry plan is gaining momentum (CD March 1 p2) as a rulemaking nears 8th floor circulation and Comrs. Adelstein and McDowell offered encouraging, though cautious, comments at a conference. The Media Bureau is finalizing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for FCC members to study, Martin told reporters Fri. after a speech at the same American Women in Radio & TV conference. In remarks to media, he urged Commissioners to vote on a customer proprietary network information (CPNI) order and a wireless broadband declaratory ruling, both under consideration for some time.
The FCC sided with PCIA over CTIA in a fight over how advanced wireless services (AWS) auction winners will pick a clearinghouse to oversee cost-sharing as new licensees move incumbents out of the 2.1 GHz band. The Commission decided last year to let both groups help clear spectrum bought in the 2006 auction, but the groups clashed over the details.