Broadcom, Nokia, WISPA, Other Allies Continue Lobbying on FCC 5 GHz Device Rules
Two camps continued FCC lobbying last week on equipment rules for 5 GHz devices, ex parte filings in docket 13-49 showed. Broadcom said it's concerned an adjustment proposed by others to tightening out-of-band emissions to weather radar could hurt retail…
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routers. Cambium Networks, Fastback Networks, JAB Wireless, Mimosa Networks, Nokia, Ubiquiti Networks, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association and Zebra Technologies, meanwhile, want the commission to act on what they called a modified consensus proposal before a March 2 new-equipment certification deadline. Broadcom proposed an emissions mask for devices with low-gain antennas, which it said "are very unlikely to pose a risk of harmful interference," it said executives and lawyers told Chief Julius Knapp and others in the Office of Engineering and Technology. "In the alternative, Broadcom suggested extending the deadline for certifying U-NII-3 devices under the new rules for a minimum of 24 months, and extending the deadline for marketing U-NII-3 devices certified under Section 15.247 for a minimum of 48 months." Earlier last week, the other companies and WISPA, seeking FCC action on their proposal, said they had no opinion on the merits of what Broadcom wants. But they said that company's proposed changes to the modified consensus proposal "should not be the basis for delaying action on the extensive record developed prior to Broadcom’s submission." If the agency "is unable to address Broadcom’s proposal prior to March 2," it should "consider it alongside any unresolved issues in this proceeding, including the proposal by Fastback Networks to modify the out-of-band emissions limit in the U-NII-1 band," said WISPA and the seven companies. While what Broadcom seeks may have merit, the commission shouldn't wait to act on what WISPA and its allies want, because the company's request came after the so-called consensus proposal, said an official of the association in an interview Friday. "There has been a lot of time spent" on what the group calls the consensus proposal, said WISPA President Alex Phillips, who isn't sure what Broadcom seeks is significant enough to "halt the proceeding." A follow-up proceeding could address Broadcom's concerns, Phillips said: "They need to let this particular process go forward and then make their case in a separate proceeding or reconsideration. It should not delay a decision."