FCC Looking at Proposals for Making PLMR More Efficient
In an era of what some say is creeping spectrum scarcity, the FCC released an NPRM Thursday designed to expand access to private land mobile radio (PLMR) spectrum. Among the key questions raised is whether the agency should amend its…
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rules to allow 806-824/851-869 MHz band incumbents in a market a six-month period to apply for expansion band and guard band frequencies before the frequencies are made available to applicants for new systems. The Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) proposed the change, the FCC said. The commission also asked whether it should extend conditional licensing authority to applicants for site-based licenses in the 800 MHz frequencies and the 896-901/935-940 MHz bands. The FCC sought comment on whether to make available for PLMR use frequencies on the band edge between the industrial/business pool and either general mobile radio service or broadcast auxiliary service spectrum. “Traditionally, the PLMR services have provided for the private, internal communications needs of public safety entities, state and local government entities, large and small businesses, transportation providers, the medical community, and other diverse users of two-way radio systems,” the NPRM said. “PLMR licensees generally do not provide for-profit communications services. The Commission is committed to bringing about more efficient use of PLMR frequencies in order to alleviate congestion in this crowded spectrum, the demand for which continues to grow.” Comments deadlines are to be set by a pending notice in the Federal Register. “We are glad to see the FCC release this item as it proposes a number of productive spectrum policies,” said Mark Crosby, president of the Enterprise Wireless Alliance and an LMCC board member. “We also look forward to a healthy dialogue on the merits of providing spectrum priority to incumbent 800 MHz licensees, in particular business enterprise entities. The FCC has noted that expansion band spectrum is designated primarily for [Specialized Mobile Radio] stations. EWA will need to determine whether limiting business enterprise incumbents to B/ILT spectrum in the expansion band, without access to guard band spectrum, provides any meaningful opportunity for system expansion.” EWA is also concerned that “without an effective construction verification process, and reliance exclusively on self-certification, it is exceedingly difficult to distinguish parties with the intention and ability to actually provide service from those hoping to flip spectrum for monetary gain,” Crosby said. “The PLMR community has precious few spectrum resources. It is imperative that the rules promote its intensive utilization and deter speculation.”