FCC Finds Disagreements in Responses to 900 MHz NOI

the FCC sought comment on the petition and several critical infrastructure industry commenters raised concerns (see 1506300047). On Aug. 4, the agency released a notice of inquiry seeking comment on ways to increase access to spectrum and improve flexibility and efficiency of the 900 MHz band (see 1708070043). “The record in this proceeding confirms that the diversity of the businesses that comprise the Private Enterprise (PE) community, including those classified as Critical Infrastructure Industry (CII), is mirrored in the complexities of their communications demands,” pdv and EWA said in reply comments in docket 17-200. “Those whose communications systems must be capable of processing significant amounts of data for purposes such as control, telemetry, IoT, network and security management, and cybersecurity monitoring, in addition to voice dispatching, need a private carrier broadband option. The 900 MHz Band rule changes proposed by EWA/PDV are premised on this concept of optionality for this user community.” The Critical Infrastructure Coalition said many commenters share concerns about the NOI’s proposals to reconfigure the 896-901/935-940 MHz band. “Coalition members and their partners use 900 MHz band spectrum and adjacent bands for a wide range of critical communications that serve the public interest,” the group said. “The Commission must continue to recognize the critical importance of 900 MHz band and adjacent spectrum networks and ensure they remain free from interference and available to serve the public.” Some "questions that surround the proposal by EWA/PDV have been answered in their comments in response to the NOI, although there are still more questions that need to be answered,” said the Utilities Technology Council and the GridWise Alliance in joint comments. “Importantly, there are areas of consensus, though sharp differences remain and some issues warrant additional clarification.” The Association of American Railroads said the FCC should instead consider its proposal to change the band by providing for the possibility of wideband channels -- channels that are 50-500 kHz wide. “Railroads and other mission-critical wireless users have growing -- yet still relatively modest -- spectrum needs and stand to benefit from the greater flexibility that wider channels permit,” the railroads said. “AAR’s wideband channel proposal would satisfy these needs while allowing 900 MHz band operators to remain in control of their own wireless networks, thus protecting vital communications.”