Recently in Spectrum Category
Legislation designed to avert a looming communications spectrum crisis that could derail the FCC's ambitious plan for nationwide broadband connectivity received swift approval Thursday by the House Energy and Commerce Communications, the Internet and Technology Subcommittee. The measure, approved by voice vote, would require the FCC and the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration to make a thorough inventory of the nation's communications spectrum.
The agencies would report their findings to Congress and recommend which, if any, of the least-used blocks of spectrum can be reallocated for commercial use. "As more and more Americans use data-intensive smart phones and as services like mobile video emerge, the demand for spectrum to support these applications and devices will grow dramatically," Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., said.
The panel adopted a manager's amendment from Boucher that made several technical changes but also gave both agencies one year, instead of the bill's original six-month deadline, to conduct their spectrum review. To read more, click here (Subscription required).
The FCC adopted an order Friday that will clear the way for the deployment of the next generation of wireless devices and for the rollout of public safety communication services. The FCC's order bans the further distribution and sale of wireless microphone and other devices that operate in the 700 megahertz band of spectrum. The agency said these devices may interfere with the other services that will be operating in this band of spectrum.
The FCC is giving those individuals or groups that have wireless microphones or other devices that currently operate in this swath of spectrum until June 12 to transition to a different frequency. Those who currently own wireless microphones can find information about whether their device is affected by the FCC's order through the agency's Web site.
Steve Largent, president and CEO of the wireless industry group CTIA, praised the FCC's order, saying "it will help ensure that harmful interference does not hamper commercial wireless carriers' fourth generation deployment plans, which promise to increase mobile broadband availability and adoption, as well as create much needed jobs."
Desperate for more airwaves to bolster emergency communications, representatives from eight public safety groups worked the halls of Congress this week to press for legislation to grant them rights to spectrum the FCC failed to auction on their behalf, CongressDaily reported. Despite the lobbying blitz, lawmakers were still assessing the proposal and had made no commitments. The groups met with House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., aides to Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
Noting it's been eight years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which highlighted problems with emergency communications, Robert Davis, president of the law enforcement group Major City Chiefs Association, said "We still do not have the ability to communicate with each other. This is unacceptable." But even the staunchest proponents of legislation acknowledge a major obstacle: funding. Estimates range from $6 billion to $30 billion to construct a nationwide broadband network that would improve interoperable communications across agencies and jurisdictions. While some revenue could be raised by leasing excess capacity to commercial outlets, the federal government would foot much of the bill.
The FCC's bid in 2008 to auction the D-block swath of spectrum for public safety use failed after no one cast the minimum bid. The FCC hoped the winning bidder would finance the network's construction. Public safety officials say they would be better served if the frequencies were directly allocated to them, putting emergency groups in charge. First responders want to combine the D-block with an additional 10 MHz they've been granted in an adjacent band to create a robust network that can accommodate cutting-edge wireless data, voice and video technologies.
In an interview, San Jose, Calif., Deputy Policy Chief Chris Moore said Waxman "committed to helping us solve the interoperability problem." The FCC is expected to include recommendations for improving emergency communications in its upcoming national broadband plan, to be presented to Congress March 17.
The FCC Wednesday announced it is seeking additional information on the use of spectrum currently licensed to broadcast television stations as part of its effort to craft a national broadband plan. The notice of inquiry emerged out of comments submitted about the FCC's broadband plan and the agency's efforts to find more spectrum for wireless broadband. Some commenters have questioned whether there is sufficient spectrum "to meet the demand for wireless broadband services in the near future and have urged the commission to make available more spectrum for commercial uses," the FCC said in its notice.
While pledging to take into account the importance of free, over-the-air television, the inquiry seeks to explore "market-based mechanisms for television broadcasters to contribute to the broadband effort any spectrum in excess of that which they need to meet their public interest obligations and remain financially viable." Among the questions the FCC is seeking comment on is whether broadcasters could share 6 megahertz channels in some markets without significantly disrupting free over-the-air television service.
NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton responded coolly to the inquiry, noting that after spending billions of dollars upgrading to digital signals, broadcasters recently returned "more than a quarter of the spectrum" used for free over-the-air TV service. "Broadband deployment to unserved areas is a worthy goal, and broadcasters believe we can help the FCC accomplish its mission without stifling growth opportunities of free and local TV stations and the millions of viewers that we serve," he said in a statement.
The public interest group Public Knowledge praised the inquiry. "The FCC is displaying significant courage and foresight in asking about the future of the broadcast spectrum," Public Knowledge President Gigi Sohn said in a statement. "This issue traditionally has not been open for public discussion, and we are pleased to see that it is now part of the broadband agenda."
By Winter Casey
The FCC process for auctioning spectrum has been the object of some "very sophisticated conspiracies" that have made it unfair, Andrew Schwartzman, president of the Media Access Project, said Thursday.
Schwartzman was one of a number of panelists to raise the subject of the effectiveness of FCC spectrum policies during a Catholic University law school symposium. Schwartzman said there has been an over-reliance on exclusive licensing and auctions for airwaves.
He said there should be less reliance on auctions and putting money into the U.S. treasury. The country would be better off and have more opportunities for startup companies and innovation if it found more ways to devote spectrum to be used as unlicensed spectrum, Schwartzman said.
On the other side of the debate, Kathleen O'Brien Ham of T-Mobile said there is a place for unlicensed spectrum, but the problem is not auctions, which are positive. Rather, it is making sure there is enough spectrum to auction, which will bring down prices.
Ham said thousands of licenses are being distributed, and getting a significant amount of spectrum into the marketplace is a good thing.
