Industrial Telecom Assn. (ITA) asked FCC for additional 90 days to file reply comments on notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) soliciting feedback on ways to ameliorate public safety interference at 800 MHz. “The significant impact on the public safety, private wireless and communications industries as a result of this proceeding, as well as the volume of comments, is such that an extension of time is warranted,” ITA told FCC. It also cited substantial volume of initial comments (nearly 200) that NPRM had generated so far. Among options on which Commission has solicited comments is plan submitted by Nextel last fall that would reconfigure systems at 700, 800 and 900 MHz and 2.1 GHz, including additional spectrum for public safety. American Mobile Telecom Assn. (AMTA) said that while FCC ultimately might decide rebanding was needed to address interference, existing record wasn’t conclusive on that point. AMTA Pres. Alan Shark said his group thought that “we aren’t doing our members a service by coming up with a proposal when there is so much uncertainty about the technical underpinnings.” While much attention in proceeding has focused on Nextel White Paper last fall, Shark told us: “It’s the wrong thing to drive this.” Shark, who counts Nextel among AMTA’s members, said he would like to see 7 issues drive discussion: (1) Extent to which that was immediate problem and potential fixes to address interference at 800 MHz should address not just long-term ramifications but must “recognize that this is happening now.” (2) Need for “voluntary mediation” when public safety or private wireless enterprises find they can’t work out solution with interfering party. Neutral, 3rd parties could be part of pool in such cases that could make recommendations on fixes, Shark said. (3) Some reshuffling at 800 MHz. “Under any rebanding proposal, we need to pull something out of 800 MHz to come up with greenspace to make it happen,” he said, and process would have to account for extent to which equipment moves in that band would need to be done in “orderly” manner. (4) Consideration of moving Nextel out of 800 MHz. Shark said that while commercial wireless operators had expressed concern about part of Nextel proposal that would give carrier spectrum at 2.1 GHz without auction, he didn’t have problem with it. “It would leave some greenspace and take out some incredible congestion.” (5) Examination of filtering aspects of new equipment to address radiofrequency interference “on the front end.” (6) Longer term strategy that could include moving all of public safety at 700 MHz, although several conditions would be needed. Key would be to have date certain by which analog broadcasters would vacate spectrum as part of DTV transition, he said. Another condition would be postponement of current date for 700 MHz auction, which AMTA supports, Shark said. Another caveat would be that relocated operators would be given assurances equipment would be available for them in new band. (7) Guarantees of reimbursement for relocating incumbents. Shark said there was need for congressionally mandated national emergency telecom that could address that issue.
Trade associations in information technology (IT) and telecom sector submitted plan to federal govt. on steps they said were needed to ensure operational continuity of nation’s communication networks. CTIA, Information Technology Assn. of America (ITAA), TIA and USTA submitted plan to NTIA Dir. Nancy Victory and to Richard Clarke, chmn. of President’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Board and cybersecurity adviser to President. Plan is intended to be incorporated into “National Strategy” on infrastructure protection, which is to be released in July. Document includes several “first principles,” including: (1) Put critical infrastructure assurance into context. IT and telecom sector must realize that its products and services are used to protect infrastructure assets of other sectors. (2) Look at how roles are established and partnerships are built. (3) Consider next steps. CTIA, ITAA, TIA and USTA are sector coordinators responsible for developing sector-specific input for the strategy. Report noted that last July, impact of computer worm Code Red was mitigated by “rapid mobilization” of Internet community, including National Security Council, FBI’s National Infrastructure Protection Center, Commerce Dept.’s Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office, Defense Dept.’s Joint Task Force for Computer Network Operations, AOL, UUNet and others. “The experience validates the existence and capability of a virtual emergency response network within the I&C Sector,” report said. “Attacks will no doubt continue into the future, although the type and severity of the event is apt to change. It is not yet clear whether the ad hoc nature of the emergency response team is beneficial, allowing participants to vary as attacks vary, or whether a more formal mobilization process is warranted.” Report said answering that question was important next step. It said “uneven international response” to Code Red worm demonstrated need for more international solutions to critical infrastructure assurance. One possibility is creation of international critical infrastructure assurance coordinating center that would promote sharing of best practices in information security and coordination on cybercrime incidents. Other “next steps” include: (1) Ascertaining legislative initiatives, such as tax credits, that may be needed. (2) Assessing vulnerabilities that “may be created as the public increasingly uses wireless devices and wireless LANs to conduct Internet-based transactions.” (3) Ascertaining what additional vulnerabilities are created “as the public increasingly uses wireless devices and wireless LANs to conduct Internet-based transactions.”
Sirius Satellite Radio signed up only 421 subscribers in 4 introductory markets from Feb. 14 launch through March 31, Pres.- CEO Joseph Clayton told financial analysts in conference call to discuss first-quarter results. It was first reporting period in which Sirius posted actual operating revenue -- $34,000 from advertising, $4,000 from subscriptions.
Sirius Satellite Radio signed up only 421 subscribers in 4 introductory markets from Feb. 14 launch through March 31, CEO Joseph Clayton told financial analysts in conference call about first-quarter results. It was first reporting period in which Sirius posted actual operating revenue -- $34,000 from advertising, $4,000 from subscriptions.
Issue of potential impact that communications towers have on migratory birds has emerged with increasing frequency in federal antenna siting decisions fought by environmental groups, according to industry sources and environmental groups. Ruling earlier this month by U.S. Dist. Court, D.C., may pave way for groups battling tower siting to sue under Migratory Bird Treaty Act, several industry sources said. Despite Commission ruling earlier this year that Friends of the Earth and Forest Conservation Council lacked standing to file petitions objecting to dozens of proposed antenna structures, groups since Jan. have filed new objections that highlight harmful impact to migratory birds. Meanwhile, several months after govt.-industry group set accelerated timeline for working out way to streamline siting decisions for communications towers, document is now before FCC after Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP)-led process didn’t produce agreement.
NEW ORLEANS -- TV’s public interest role has become more important since Sept. 11, said Susan Eid, aide to FCC Chmn. Powell, on NCTA convention panel here: “What we saw on September 11 was a voluntary cooperation between broadcasters and cable. But if, God forbid, anything should ever happen, we need to make sure people don’t lose communication.” She said Sept. 11 confirmed importance of spectrum for public safety reasons and uses: “The reality is, government interest has shifted to freeing up spectrum for public use and interest. There’s definitely an increased concern with that not happening.” Stacy Robinson, aide to Comr. Abernathy, questioned whether Sept. 11 actually changed Commission’s agenda, but acknowledged that “we realized what a pivotal source of information TV is” for the public in times of national emergency and “we've refocused on the importance of security in the sense of wanting to secure broadcast.”
NEW ORLEANS -- Despite deep, nearly 2-year slump in cable stock prices and Adelphia Communications’ big financial headaches, 4 Wall St. analysts agreed cable MSO stocks should rebound within next 12 months. Speaking on panel at NCTA convention here, analysts said cable’s prospects were looking up because industry’s heavy capital expenditures finally were beginning to moderate, its operating profit margins were starting to rise again, its new services were doing better than expected and other promising services were waiting in pipeline. They also cited slowing increases in most programming costs and rising take rate for premium services. “The competitive battle is the cable industry’s to lose,” said Douglas Shapiro of Banc of America Securities.
Coalition of private wireless operators on Mon. backed Cingular Wireless plan for 800 MHz rebanding that would move public safety operators to 700 MHz. But in face of “political” challenges expected to beset proposal, including required legislative changes, private wireless licensees called their alternative “repacking” 800 MHz band at cost of $1.2 billion, compared with $2.7 billion of original Nextel proposal, officials said Mon. FCC filing deadline closed Mon. on notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) soliciting comments on alternatives for alleviating public safety interference at 800 MHz. Among plans on which Commission sought feedback was proposal submitted by Nextel last fall that would swap 4 MHz of guardband spectrum at 700 MHz, 8 MHz of specialized mobile radio spectrum in lower channels of 800 MHz and 4 MHz of SMR spectrum at 900 MHz. Under that plan, Nextel would receive another 16 MHz at 800 MHz and from reserve mobile satellite services spectrum. One theme running throughout comments was thorny issue of who would pay cost of relocating incumbents. “There’s an issue of can anybody really afford to do this,” Washington attorney Robert Schwaninger said at Mon. news conference of private wireless operators.
National Emergency Number Assn., Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International and National Assn. of State Nine One One Administrators recommended to FCC 6-month delay in wireless local number portability (LNP) deadline of Nov. 24. Verizon Wireless has asked FCC to forbear on requirement that wireless carriers implement LNP by Nov. 24 in 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas. Carrier hasn’t sought delay of Nov. 24 deadline for thousand-block number pooling. Leap Wireless and state PUCs have objected to Verizon request, while large carriers have backed either delay or forbearance. Public safety groups said they were concerned only about how LNP implementation could affect E911 service. Besides 6-month LNP delay, groups last week also urged FCC to consider: (1) Requiring wireless carriers to share mobile identification number (MIN) and mobile directory number (MDN) data for 911 purposes. MIN/MDN separation in LNP context refers to network and subscriber elements of cellphone number. MIN is nondialable 10-digit number that identifies subscriber handset and plays signaling role on network. MDN is dialable 10-digit number that is customer’s phone number. (2) Requiring successful 911 testing before wireless pooling/portability implementation. Groups said that in Jan. they had urged FCC to take oversight of wireless LNP/pooling tests to include national requirement for appropriate 911 testing and have carriers provide proof of successful 911 tests before LNP implementation. “As the deadline is now 3 months closer and there has not yet been any successful intercarrier testing of wireless number portability/pooling, we reiterate our request,” groups said. They said wireless subscribers that had pooled numbers should have 911 service comparable with those with nonpooled numbers.
House Commerce Committee approved indefinite delay of 700 MHz auctions Thurs., although Chmn. Tauzin acknowledged that Sen. Stevens (R-Alaska) continued to have concerns about any postponement. Tauzin’s bill (HR-4560) would direct FCC to delay upper and lower 700 MHz band auctions now set for June 19 without setting new deadline. But he told reporters after brief markup that he had talked with FCC Chmn. Powell about possibility of one-year delay and indicated he would consider request. That would be enough time for both House and Senate to take legislative action, Tauzin said. Powell has indicated in recent congressional testimony that without new legislation, he was reluctant to flout existing statutory mandates, including requirement to deposit proceeds from Ch. 52-59 auction in U.S. Treasury by Sept. 30. Some of most strident arguments for delaying bidding came from ranking committee Democrat Dingell (Mich.), who repeatedly called previous decisions to hold auctions to raise revenue “asinine” and said keeping June 19 date would result in “another auction debacle.”