The New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute and Public Knowledge...
The New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute and Public Knowledge raised questions about tests Progeny did on a joint basis with three other parties, examining whether Progeny’s Multilateration Location and Monitoring Service (M-LMS) network would cause harmful interference to unlicensed…
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devices in the 902-928 MHz band. Multilateration systems use spread-spectrum technology to locate vehicles and other moving objects through wide geographic areas. “NAF/PK have reviewed the test reports and the record in this proceeding, including ex parte letters filed since the test reports were submitted to the Commission,” the groups said (http://xrl.us/bn7gyb). “Based on this review, we believe that it appears likely that the operation of Progeny’s system would adversely impact the operational performance of unlicensed smart grid and broadband wireless devices.” The reports suggest the system could have “potentially devastating consequences for unlicensed use of the only contiguous unlicensed band currently available in superior propagation frequencies below 1 GHz, effectively removing 4 MHz (of 26 MHz) of spectrum from unlicensed use in the 902-928 MHz band.” The reports were conducted by Progeny and Itron, Landis + Gyr Co. and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association. Itron, which manufactures automatic meter reading systems used by utilities, also raised concerns in comments at the FCC. “The Progeny system should not be allowed to commence operation because of the severe adverse impacts it will have on many unlicensed users of the 902-928 MHz band,” Itron said (http://xrl.us/bn7gy2). “Legacy Itron devices can perform frequency hopping, but only over a limited number of channels, and thus their operations are disproportionately centered in the middle of the 902-928 MHz band, near the center M-LMS block (on which Progeny operates). More than 100 million Itron meter modules, which include the legacy devices, have been shipped nationwide for use on this band.” Magnum Wireless, which operates fixed wireless broadband networks in northwest Indiana, also raised concerns. “In reviewing the findings ... we were deeply troubled by the interference levels reported,” Magnum said (http://xrl.us/bn7gza). “If such interference levels existed in our current network many of our 900 MHz customers would fall below our standards for acceptable signal strength."