WirelessPulse - Comsearch's E-news

Recently completed FCC auctions offered a variety of new spectrum for innovative wireless services. Notably, the FCC began auctioning off spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) that many wireless carriers have eagerly been awaiting. The FCC auction block also includes a roster of upcoming auctions that are surrounded by a hotbed of issues. In the sections below we have sorted out the important details for you.

1.4 GHz
In early spring 2007, two bidders quietly won 64 licenses comprised of up to 8 MHz of spectrum per geographic area. The intended use for this spectrum is remarkably similar to the AWS service, including innovative fixed and mobile uses such as wireless internet, high speed data, and two-way mobile and paging services. Swift deployment is possible in part of the band due to the finite number of co-channel incumbents, consisting of unprotected radio astronomy sites and government radar sites. Adjacent channel incumbents include wireless medical telemetry service (WMTS) devices, with field strength limitations in place to prevent harmful interference. The two bidders were CCTV Wireless, funded by Columbia Capital and Highland Capital Partners, who won licenses east of the Mississippi, and Port LLC, a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Echostar Broadband. This auction netted a total of $123.6M.

Broadband PCS
In its eighth PCS auction to date, the FCC auctioned off 38 licenses in May 2007, including partial markets from Blocks A, C, D, E and F. This spectrum had been offered previously in other auctions but was unsold or returned to the Commission as a result of license cancellation or termination. There were ten winning bidders who offered up a total of $13.9M. The top bidder was Carolina West located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

AWS-1
The highly anticipated AWS-1 auction in August 2006 netted the FCC its second-highest individual auction winnings, just behind the PCS C & F block auction in late 2000. Prominent bidders included T-Mobile, Verizon and SpectrumCo. The FCC offered 1122 licenses, and 1087 licenses were won, divvied up by CMA, EA, and REAG market areas. The remaining 35 licenses did not sell (more about those below). This auction was the culmination of years of spectrum analysis, by both the FCC and NTIA, to find a piece of the radio spectrum that could be used for 3G and 4G services. However, the incumbent situation is very complex with government systems (some classified) at 1.7 GHz. This complexity has provided the microwave relocation industry with new challenges and a new gamut of services.

700 MHz
After much debate and input from the industry, the FCC recently adopted a revised band plan and service rules which establish the framework for a 700 MHz Public Safety/Private partnership and makes changes to the rules governing the commercial service portion of the band. The new band plan (shown below) specifies 62 MHz of commercial spectrum divided in 5 blocks and 24 MHz of public safety spectrum. Most notable in the service rules is a requirement for the 22 MHz Upper C Block to provide a platform that is open to devices and applications so that consumers can use a handset and application of their choosing. Also noteworthy is the requirement for the Upper D Block commercial licensee to form a Public Safety/Private partnership with the Public Safety licensee to develop a shared, nationwide interoperable network for commercial and public safety users.

This pending auction has seen the emergence of new entities such as Frontline Wireless and CyrenCall who are pitted against large carriers such as Verizon and AT&T. In addition, technology companies such as Google and Yahoo are keenly interested in this spectrum. Google pledged over $4 Billion to the auction if the FCC established the service rules and spectrum allocations that Google requested. Since the FCC gave Google only part of what they asked for, only Google knows whether they'll still participate. In addition, the FCC was under a tight deadline to finalize the band plan and service rules by the end of July as the auction must commence before Jan 28, 2009 by congressional mandate (the Order was adopted on July 31, and released Aug 10).

Previous 700 MHz auctions include three for the lower 700 MHz band and two for the upper 700 MHz guard bands. Licenses for blocks C and D of the lower band have been distributed, and are now owned mostly by Aloha Partners (who subsequently acquired a few other entities' spectrum) and Qualcomm. Aloha holds 12 MHz of spectrum across 60% of the US, including the top ten markets. They plan to offer high-speed mobile wireless broadband internet access. However, their deployment is extremely limited at this time due to the incumbent television stations that will be using their channels until February 2009. Qualcomm holds 6 MHz of spectrum across the entire US. They have deployed their MediaFLO ("forward link only") technology in over 20 cities, offering a "mediacast" service capable of delivering multiple channels of multimedia content to 3G wireless phones. Currently Verizon and AT&T offer this service to their subscribers.

Because the FCC giveth and then can changeth their mind, they shifted the A and B block guardband assignments to a new location between the Upper C and D blocks. This was to accommodate the shift in the Public Safety band, and to further protect the Public Safety narrowband operations from potential interference. Band Managers are required to file annual reports with the FCC on how their spectrum is being utilized.

BRS
Although not officially on the FCC’s auction schedule, the potential for an upcoming BRS auction was first proposed by the FCC in an NPRM released in April 2003. In the subsequent Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, released July 29, 2004, the FCC released the new BRS/EBS service rules, band plan, and transition process. The FCC also sought comment on a number of auction issues. The prominent auction issues were:

On April 27, 2006 the FCC released the BRS/EBS 2nd R & O, which answered a few of the auction issues. For example, they decided to allow incumbents to self-transition in markets that do not have an official proponent and set the auction to be open to all eligible bidders. They stated that EBS auction bidders must meet the requirements of an EBS license holder (BRS bidders will still be interested in these licenses because they can lease from EBS entities or obtain through secondary markets). Regarding all other issues, the FCC decided it was premature to adopt rules and instead will wait until the end of voluntary incumbent transitions. This allows them to review the total amount of available unclaimed spectrum and make the best decision at that time. Since the proponent-driven transition period will not end until late 2008 at the earliest, and the self-transitioning incumbents have a few months after that, the auction will likely take place in the 2010 timeframe.

So, what is the current state of the BRS market transitions? A total of 50 BTAs (out of 493) have already fully transitioned to the new band plan. Approximately 260 are in progress with estimated completion dates ranging from mid-2007 to late 2008. The two major proponents that have initiated plans are Sprint Nextel and Clearwire. Some BTAs transitioned with no EBS incumbents at all, thus leaving their entire spectrum available for a future auction.

AWS-1 Re-Auction
If history holds true, the FCC will re-auction the 35 unsold AWS licenses, though no time frame has been proposed. These consist of 6 REAGs in Guam, American Samoa and the Gulf of Mexico, 7 EAs including Puerto Rico and 22 CMAs in scattered rural areas.

In conclusion
The wireless industry has benefited from the past year’s FCC auctions, expanding their spectrum holdings in order to offer new innovative services. The FCC also seems to have fine-tuned their auction process to mutually benefit both the government and the telecom consumers. We shall see if that holds true when the next round of auctions takes place.<%-- CASE CORNER REMOVED JUST FOR JUNE/JULY 2007 ISSUE

Interoperability in Public Safety and Homeland Security

by Mark Gibson
Senior Director, Business Development, Comsearch

Many incidents have occurred over the last several years that call attention to interoperability issues among both Public Safety and Homeland Security wireless users. In the Washington, DC area alone we can point to the following examples of problems going back over 20 years:

In 1982, three events underscored the problems with interoperability – the Air Florida plane crash, a derailment of one of DC’s Metro trains, and a hostage-taking at an IBM office in Bethesda. In each of these incidences, public safety radio systems were rendered practically ineffective due to technology and spectrum limitations.
Ten years later in 1992, a tanker fire on the Capitol Beltway, the Washington area’s major artery, tied up traffic in both directions for the better part of the day. In 1996, an Amtrack train derailed in a Washington suburb. In these incidents, cellular networks were overrun by calls from stranded motorists and stranded rail passengers, leaving little to no spectrum available for emergency responders.
Several other multi-jurisdictional emergency events including a bridge jumper (again on the Capitol Beltway), large building fires, and traffic accidents have rendered both public and public safety wireless systems unreliable and ineffective. The culminating event was the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon where firefighters and other emergency personnel had problems communicating due to inadequacies in their wireless networks.

In addition to the above examples, rescue personnel faced grave communications problems when responding to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Due to interoperability problems, rescue workers did not hear the call to vacate one of the towers before it collapsed. An estimated 120 fire fighters died when the north tower fell.

Most interoperability problems can be linked to issues involving either incompatible technology or limited spectrum. Incompatible technology standards across jurisdictions—such as systems that use analog vs. digital technology—is a significant obstruction to efficient and effective communications among emergency workers that can put lives at risk in a crisis situation. The lack of available spectrum means that public safety responders must contend with congestion and a scarcity of radio channels. This causes both interference and blockage. Some estimates indicate that an additional 73.5 MHz of spectrum is needed for public safety use over the next 10 years.

Other barriers to interoperability include poor coordination among regional public safety agencies and a lack of funding. New wireless technologies often require new equipment—often difficult for state and local public safety agencies to afford.

Several national agencies have mobilized to solve these problems. At the head is the Integrated Wireless Network Program, or IWN. IWN is a collaborative effort by the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and the Treasury to provide a consolidated nationwide federal wireless communications service that replaces stovepipe stand alone component systems, and supports law enforcement, first responder, and homeland security requirements with integrated communications services (voice, data, and multimedia) in a wireless environment. The IWN will implement solutions to provide federal agency interoperability with appropriate links to state, local, and tribal public safety, and homeland security entities.

Under the Department of Homeland Security is the National Communications System (NCS). Formed in 1962, the NCS brings together 23 Federal departments and agencies to address the full range of national security and emergency preparedness telecommunications issues. The NCS incorporates changing legislative, regulatory, judicial, and technical issues in interagency emergency telecommunications planning activities.

There are a host of other committees, organizations, and programs dedicated to addressing the problems of interoperability among both Public Safety and Homeland Security wireless users. The introduction of new technologies and the availability of new spectrum allocations is key to these efforts. Recent terrorist attacks, security threats and dynamic world events give a new urgency to these critical issues.

Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) – The FCC Ordered CTIA-The Wireless Association and PCIA-The Wireless Infrastructure Association to serve as a neutral, not-for-profit clearinghouse to administer the FCC's cost-sharing plan in accordance with the FCC's rules and policies. (Dkt No 00-258, 02-353, DA No 07-1120) DA-07-1120A1.pdf

Concurrent Coordination of Multiple Microwave Paths – The FCC seeks comment on the request for a Declaratory Ruling by Wireless Strategies, Inc. regarding coordination of microwave links under Part 101 of the Commission’s Rules. (DA No 07-2684, Dkt No 07-121) DA-07-2684A1.pdf

Cellular Phones Onboard Aircraft - Proceeding Terminated - The FCC released a MO&O that terminates its proceeding on the use of cellular phones on airplanes. (Dkt No 04-435, FCC No 07-47) DOC-272051A1.pdf FCC-07-47A1.pdf

Domain Name Registration Required - The FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds commercial mobile radio service providers of their obligation to register and update domain names used to transmit electronic messages to wireless devices. (DA No 07-1783, Dkt No 04-53)
DA-07-1783A1.pdf

Vehicle-Mounted Ku-Band Earth Stations – Comments sought on whether to license Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations as an application of the fixed-satellite service in the conventional and extended Ku-band frequencies. (Dkt No 07-101, FCC No 07-86) FCC-07-86A1.pdf

Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) Rules - Comments sought regarding particular changes to the rules governing the 4.9 GHz band and the WMTS which shares spectrum with Part 90 operations. (Dkt No 07-100) FCC-07-85A1.pdf

Annual Telecommunications Industry Revenue Report – The FCC released its annual report providing a general overview of revenues in the U.S. telecommunications industry, entitled Telecommunications Industry Revenues. DOC-274025A1.pdf

Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations - Latest printed edition (October 2006) is now available. DOC-271624A1.pdf

FCC Form 327 (Electronic Filing Enabled) – Media Bureau enables electronic filing of FCC form 327 – CARs license renewals. (DA No 07-2140) DA-07-2140A1.pdf

FCC Grants TerreStar Spectrum Reservation.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted TerreStar Networks Inc. (TerreStar), a majority owned subsidiary of Motient Corporation (MNCP), a reservation of 20MHz of spectrum in the 2GHz frequency band. TerreStar will use this spectrum in its North American 4G integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial communications network that will provide universal access and tailored applications throughout North America over conventional wireless systems.

This spectrum reservation was originally granted to TMI Communications and Company, Limited Partnership (TMI), a partner of TerreStar in 2001. TMI, a Canadian company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE, Inc., a publicly traded Canadian corporation. Industry Canada issued TMI an approval-in-principle for a 2 GHz MSS system in May 2002. On April 27, 2007, Industry Canada approved the assignment of the approval-in-principal to TerreStar Canada providing TerreStar Canada access to 20 MHz of 2GHz spectrum in Canada. On May 10, the FCC revised the U.S. spectrum reservation in the name of TerreStar giving TerreStar network spectrum in both the United States and Canada to operate its next generation communications network.

In approving the revision, the FCC noted that TerreStar has made substantial progress in satellite construction and system implementation for its planned build out of North America's first 4G integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial communications network. The FCC also found that granting the transfer of the spectrum reservation to TerreStar was in the public interest.

FCC Establishes Policies and Service Rules for the Broadcasting-Satellite Service at the 17.3-17.7 GHz Frequency Band and at the 17.7-17.8 GHz Frequency Band Internationally, and at the 24.75-25.25 GHz Frequency Band for Fixed Satellite Services Providing Feeder Links to the Broadcasting-Satellite Service and for the Satellite Services Operating Bi-directionally in the 17.3-17.8 GHz Frequency Band.
The FCC adopted processing and service rules for the 17/24 GHz Broadcasting-Satellite Service (BSS). This service will introduce a new generation of broadband services to the public, providing a mix of local and domestic video, audio, data, video-on-demand, and multi-media services to U.S. consumers. In some cases, these services will complement existing Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) services. In addition they established rules and requirements for orbital spacing, minimum antenna diameter, and antenna performance standards. Also, they establish limits for uplink and downlink power levels to minimize the possibility of harmful interference. Finally, they stipulate criteria to facilitate sharing in the 24 GHz and 17 GHz bands. The FCC initiated a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) to address technical issues related to potential interference unique to the "reverse band" operating environment.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-76A1.doc

FCC Issues NPRM for comment on Licensing Vehicle Mounted Earth Stations in the Fixed-Satellite Service in the Conventional and Extended Ku-band Frequencies.
In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking , the FCC seeks comment on whether to license Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations ("VMES") as an application of the fixed-satellite service ("FSS") in the conventional and extended Ku-band frequencies. The NPRM is in response to a petition for rulemaking ("Petition") filed by General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies, Inc. ("General Dynamics"). General Dynamics asked the Commission to amend Parts 2 and 25 of the rules to allocate spectrum for use with VMES in the FSS in the Ku-band uplink at 14.0-14.5 GHz and Ku-band downlink at 11.7-12.2 GHz on a primary basis, and in the extended Ku-band downlink at 10.95-11.2 GHz and 11.45-11.7 GHz on a non-protected basis, and to adopt Ku-band VMES licensing and service rules modeled on the Commission's rules for Ku-band Earth Stations on Vessels ("ESVs"). General Dynamics asserts that a VMES allocation and regularized service and licensing rules would facilitate the U.S. military's training needs with respect to advanced VMES technologies and increase the potential that advanced communications capabilities will be made available for various emergency preparedness and commercial purposes where high-bandwidth, mobile communications capabilities are beneficial.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-86A1.doc

Comsearch Offers Telecom Carrier Reports to Identify Licensees
and Market Coverage
Comsearch offers a report that will assist companies in sorting through the often complex disaggregation, partitioning, leasing and other factors that identify a licensee in a market as well as the population and geographic areas covered. The report is offered for AWS, PCS, Cellular, WCS, BRS and LMDS bands.

Comsearch Selected, for the 2nd year, as the WiMax World USA 2007 Official Frequency Coordinator
In its second consecutive year as official frequency coordinator at WiMax World USA, Comsearch will ensure that the radio frequencies used in demonstrations by exhibitors do not interfere with each other and other licensed wireless operations in the area. Click here for more information.

Comsearch Selected, for the 10th year, as the CTIA WIRELESS IT & Entertainment 2007 Official Spectrum Manager
Comsearch is chosen as official spectrum manager at CTIA WIRELESS IT & Entertainment 2007 for the tenth consecutive year, ensuring that there will be no interference issues between radio frequencies used by exhibitor demonstrations and other licensed wireless operations in the area. For more details about the show, click here.

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