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Jan. 18, 2010

Verizon Wireless and the CTIA have praised the FCC's most recent attempts to clear the 700 MHz band for public safety use.

Last Friday, the FCC adopted an Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, prohibiting the further distribution and sale of MIDs (mobile Internet devices) that operate in the 700 MHz band.

Verizon Wireless says it greatly appreciates the FCC's proactive position on the matter. "That wireless spectrum is vitally important to the development of new broadband services that will bring tremendous benefits to the public including advanced communications services for first responders," wrote Kathleen Grillo, Verizon's senior vice president of federal regulatory affairs.

A press release then said the action will help complete the DTV transition by clearing the 700 MHz band to enable the rollout of modern communications services for public safety and the deployment of next-generation 4G wireless devices for mobile users.

CTIA's President Steve Largent, added the wireless association's thanks to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. "The Order will help ensure that harmful interference does not hamper commercial wireless carriers' 4th generation deployment plans, which promise to increase mobile broadband availability and adoption, as well as create much needed jobs.

The Order also will protect public safety from harmful interference that could jeopardize life-saving missions," Largent added.

The FCC said it wanted to make it clear that no devices using this frequency may be sold or distributed anywhere in the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska.

In order to ensure that individuals and groups currently using unauthorized devices in the band have ample time to transition to appropriate frequencies, the FCC is providing a "sunset period" until June 12, 2010, one year from the DTV transition.

Last week, the FCC said it was is changing its decision from a proposal to reclaim spectrum from TV broadcasters for favoring wireless broadband services, according to an agency executive.

The original proposal was met with heavy opposition from broadcasters who argued it would greatly limit the potential of digital television broadcasting.

Instead of forcing television broadcasters to give up their spectrum, the FCC plans to make the option to sell spectrum holdings voluntary, at least for the time being.

The Federal Communications Commission is also considering several other measures, including using DTS (distributed transmission system) transmitters to more efficiently re-engineer broadcast network architecture, repacking station allotments and auctioning off some "overlay" licenses similar to was done in the mid-1990’s.

Phil Bellaria, director of scenario planning for the FCC's National Broadband Task Force says “The preference is to establish voluntary, market-based options to enable broadcasters who chose to do so to relinquish their TV spectrum and to receive at least some kind of compensation.”

But Bellaria added that the FCC would also have to reconsider the issue if its voluntary proposals failed in Congress or did not garner the needed amount of spectrum needed.

“Both of these options, along with the more heavy-handed mandatory option, are within the authority of the FCC but would take longer time to market,” Bellaria added.

"In the past, the record overwhelmingly demonstrates that there's a strong need for additional spectrum for mobile broadband services. We continue to believe that all spectrum should be on the table for potential reallocation, including the almost 300 MHz allocated for broadcast TV use, which is spectrum most favorable to wireless broadband. We look forward to working with the FCC and the broadband team to consider mechanisms to place spectrum to its highest use," said Bellaria.

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Source: Verizon Wireless.