FCC

FCC grants more time for comments on AWS-3 auction plans

Lynnette Luna — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:52 -0400

The FCC has agreed to extend the comment period for its controversial plan to auction nationwide spectrum in the AWS band that would require the winner to offer free wireless broadband services. Yesterday was supposed to be the comment deadline on the plan, but the FCC set new comment and reply comment deadlines for July 25 and Aug. 11.

Earlier this week it appeared the FCC was ready to push the plan through, despite the heavy criticism it has received from mobile operators and Republican lawmakers who see the plan as a repeat of the failed 700 MHz D-block auction.

The commission is proposing to combine the 2155 to 2175 MHz band with the 2175 MHz to 2180 MHz band to create a 25-megahertz swath of spectrum that would support a nationwide license. The spectrum is referred to as advanced wireless services-3 and would require the licensee to dedicate 25 percent of its network capacity to free broadband service, install a network-based Internet filtering system to block pornography and allow open access to third-party devices and applications.

T-Mobile, the biggest winner in the AWS-1 auction in 2006, has been the most vocal opponent, and has claimed that more time is necessary to make sure use of the adjacent spectrum doesn't cause interference. The FCC granted the operate the shorter of its two requested comment deadline extensions even though T-Mobile said it preferred an extra 90 days for public comment.

"It is the policy of the commission that extensions of time shall not be routinely granted," the FCC stated. "Nevertheless, in this instance, we find that providing additional time for filing comments will serve the public interest by ensuring the development of a more complete and well-developed record in response to the [further notice of proposed rulemaking]."

For more:
- check out RCR Wireless News

Related stories:
Anxiety rises over FCC's AWS-3 auction plans. Auction story
Report: AWS-3 license would fetch $2.8B without FCC's condition. AWS-3 story

T-Mobile calls for delay of FCC's free wireless broadband initiative

Lynnette Luna — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:13:26 -0400

T-Mobile USA has asked the FCC to extend the public-comment period for its controversial plan to auction a nationwide block of spectrum that would see the licensee offering free broadband services. T-Mobile wants the commission to spend more time studying potential interference problems and delay its final decision until after the November elections. The commission's comment deadline is July 9 with reply comments due July 16. The FCC wants to craft its rules by August.

M2Z Founder, Chairman and CTO Milo Medin, whose company first presented this type of proposal to the FCC back in 2006 and is interested in bidding on the spectrum, recently told FierceBroadbandWireless that the core technical rules that have always been advocated for the auction are the same rules that were used for the 700 MHz auction. "It's hard to argue that the same rules worked at 700 MHz but don't work in this band," he said.

The commission is proposing to combine the 2155 to 2175 MHz band with the 2175 MHz to 2180 MHz band to create a 25-megahertz swathe of spectrum that would support a nationwide license. The spectrum is referred to as advanced wireless services-3 and would require the licensee to dedicate 25 percent of its network capacity to free broadband service, install a network-based Internet filtering system to block pornography and allow open access to third-party devices and applications.

For more:
- read RCR Wireless News

Related stories:
Interview with M2Z: Free wireless broadband can work. M2Z interview
FCC looks to fast-track free wireless broadband network initiative. Wireless broadband story

Report: AWS-3 license would fetch $2.8B without FCC's conditions

Lynnette Luna — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:58:58 -0400

Analysis from the Phoenix Center says that the FCC's proposed auction of a nationwide 25-megahertz license in the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) band would garner about $2.8 billion at auction if the license didn't come attached with substantial conditions--which includes offering free broadband wireless service and strict buildout requirements. Phoenix Center Chief Economist George S. Ford came to that number after analyzing the results of prior auctions in the AWS band and the recent 700 MHz auction, which resulted in an auction value of approximately $0.40 per MHz-pop.

The commission is proposing to combine the 2155 to 2175 MHz band with the 2175 MHz to 2180 MHz band to create a 25-megahertz swathe of spectrum that would support a nationwide license. The spectrum is referred to as AWS-3. Under FCC proposals, the licensee of this band would be required to use up to 25 percent of its network capacity for free, two-way broadband service at data rates of at least 768 kbps downstream. A network-based filtering mechanism would also be required for the free Internet service to protect children and families from obscene content. The winning bidder of the AWS-3 band would also have to offer coverage and service to at least 50 percent of the U.S. population within four years and at least 95 percent of the population by the end of 10 years.

These type of stipulations can substantially impact the value of spectrum, said the Phoenix Center. "There may be significant social or consumer value to many of the conditions proposed by the FCC for the AWS-3 license," said Ford. "But policymakers should be aware of the impact that their decisions have upon the value of spectrum and the business case for offering wireless services over encumbered licenses."

For more:
- read cellular-news

Related stories:
FCC looks to fast-track free wireless broadband network initiative. Free broadband wireless story
FCC mulls another spectrum auction. Read this spectrum auction story.
Will a spectrum auction requiring free broadband services work? Read this spectrum auction editorial

FCC looks to fast-track free wireless broadband network initiative

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:18:43 -0400

The FCC is looking for feedback on options to auction a nationwide wireless broadband license that would require the licensee to offer free broadband services. The FCC hopes to secure rules for the licensee by August.

"This larger block size may allow the AWS-3 licensee to make more robust use of the spectrum while operating at a stricter out-of-band emission limit," the FCC stated. "Alternatively, another proposed option would be to retain the 2155-2175 MHz AWS-3 block and allow the licensee to operate with a more traditional out-of-band emission limit."

The plan, however, is already riddled in controversy, with major operators raising concern about interference to their operations in adjacent frequencies and accusing regulators of creating an auction tailored to a specific business model. The plan is similar to what M2Z Networks proposed back in 2006. The company asked the FCC for 25 megahertz of vacant spectrum in the 2155 MHz to 2175 MHz band to offer free wireless broadband service. The FCC subsequently dismissed M2Z's request. More recently, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introduced new legislation, known as the Wireless International Nationwide for Families Act, that would direct the FCC to auction unused spectrum, the 2155 MHz to 2180MHz band, and require the winner to offer a free wireless broadband network that reaches 95 percent of the U.S. population within 10 years.

Under FCC proposals, the licensee of this band would be required to use up to 25 percent of its network capacity for free, two-way broadband service at data rates of at least 768 kbps downstream. A network-based filtering mechanism would also be required for the free Internet service to protect children and families from obscene content. The winning bidder of the AWS-3 band would also have to offer coverage and service to at least 50 percent of the U.S. population within four years and at least 95 percent of the population by the end of 10 years.

T-Mobile, which won a huge amount of spectrum in the AWS band, buying 120 licenses for about $4.2 billion, raised concerns about interference from the band. Tom Sugrue, vice president of government affairs with T-Mobile said the "commission appears to be denying itself the opportunity to engage in the appropriate joint testing required to examine empirically the significant interference issues raised in this proceeding. T-Mobile looks forward to detailing these concerns in its comments and to sharing with the commission its own interference test results."

For more:
- read RCR Wireless News

Related stories:
FCC mulls another spectrum auction. Read this spectrum auction story.
Will a spectrum auction requiring free broadband services work? Read this spectrum auction editorial
Congresswoman proposes free wireless broadband. Read this free broadband story

Microsoft: FCC's tests validate white space

Lynnette Luna — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:41:42 -0400

Despite the fact that its prototypes malfunctioned during lab tests at the FCC, Microsoft says the FCC has gathered enough valid data to show that devices can operate in the white space spectrum without causing interference.

"The commission has gotten more than enough valuable and valid data to show that you can use these devices to do spectrum sensing, that you can identify TV channels, and that you can identity them to the level that you're not causing interference," Microsoft's Ian Ferrell said during a technology conference in San Francisco called Supernova. Last week, the FCC completed lab tests of white-space devices submitted by several different companies.

Microsoft's own white-space prototypes malfunctioned--one due to a faulty channel scanner the other due to overheating. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which is vehemently opposed to the use of white space because it fears interference problems with TV signals, has used that as ammunition to say that these devices cause interference. Ferrell insists FCC tests have shown interference isn't a problem.

For its part, the FCC says it will undergo another round of testing in the field within the next few weeks. Microsoft has withdrawn its faulty prototypes, but FCC engineers are still studying devices from Philips, Motorola, and Adaptrum, a Silicon Valley white-space startup.

For more:
- read The Register

Related stories:
Google's Page pushes white-space agenda Google story
Google, Philips, Moto submit white space device White space story

FCC delays decision on free wireless broadband network

Sue Marek — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:12:50 -0400

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin decided to remove the planned discussion regarding a potential auction of 25 megahertz of unused wireless spectrum from the June 12 meeting agenda. This auction would include 25 megahertz in the 2155 MHz to 2180 MHz band and would require the winning bidder to offer free broadband service under a strict build-out schedule.

Martin says he removed the proposal from the agenda because he wanted to look into concerns raised by some wireless carriers. The CTIA yesterday criticized the FCC in a filing saying that the proposal "upends two decades of spectrum policy in favor of a specifically tailored auction designed to advance the particular business model of a single company."

Nevertheless, Martin remains committed to the plan. An FCC spokesman told RCR that Martin believes more time is needed to examine concerns on the interference issue, but he does not agree with some critics who are pushing for an interference standard that is more cumbersome than the restrictions that were set forth for both the AWS-1 spectrum and the 700 MHz spectrum in those respective auctions.

The FCC plans to include this item on a July open meeting agenda. An auction could happen as early as December 2008.

The FCC's plan was similar to what M2Z Networks proposed back in 2006. The company asked the FCC for 25 megahertz of vacant spectrum in the 2155 MHz to 2175 MHz band to offer free wireless broadband service. The FCC subsequently dismissed M2Z's request. More recently, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introduced new legislation, known as the Wireless International Nationwide for Families Act, that would direct the FCC to auction unused spectrum, the 2155 MHz to 2180MHz band, and require the winner to offer a free wireless broadband network that reaches 95 percent of the U.S. population within 10 years.

For more:
- see this RCR story.
- see this Silicon Alley Insider report
- read this IDG news service report

Related stories:
FCC mulls another spectrum auction. Read this spectrum auction story
Will a spectrum auction requiring free broadband services work? Read this spectrum auction editorial

NAB takes white-space concerns to Congress

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:59:55 -0400

The National Association of Broadcasters fired another salvo against the idea of broadband services operating in the unlicensed white space spectrum, vacant airwaves next to TV spectrum. NAB warned Congress that allowing services in this spectrum could jeopardize the transition to digital TV, which is scheduled for completion by Feb. 19, 2009.

"For more than a year, these companies have tried to convince the Federal Communications Commission and members of Congress that they can make devices that will not cause interference to broadcasters, wireless microphone users and other parties that currently use this spectrum," said NAB President David Rehr in a letter to Congress. "Unfortunately, based upon the results of FCC testing to date, their technical prowess does not match their rhetoric."

Indeed, the FCC's testing of white space devices hasn't been without glitches. The FCC is still in the testing phase of these devices, however, and is keen on seeing the spectrum serve as a catalyst for broadband competition in the U.S.

NAB and a long list of other organizations, such as hospitals, entertainers and professional sports leagues, remain concerned about the use of white space spectrum. Google, Microsoft, Motorola and others are pushing the FCC to allow WiFi-like services in the spectrum.

For more on this story:
- read RCR Wireless News

Related stories:
Google's Page dismisses white space concerns. Google white space story
Google, Philips, Moto submit white space devices. White space device story

Voyant inks $2M white-space device deal

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:59:57 -0400

The FCC isn't finished testing white space prototypes for possible interference but that isn't stopping a technology holding company from entering the market and inking a $2-million contract for the development and production of the first 3,000 white space radios. Voyant International announced that its contract with the unknown entity will see the company designing and delivering the devices over multiple years. The unnamed customer will use them for a variety of applications, including "green, energy-efficient, utility and power management."

White space spectrum represents more than 200 megahertz of vacant bandwidth in the adjacent TV airwaves and is the subject of vigorous debate as Google, Microsoft and others are pushing the FCC hard to allow broadband services in the spectrum. The broadcast industry opposes the move, saying it will threaten the transition to digital TV and cause interference. The CTIA meanwhile recommends auctioning off the unused broadcast spectrum, and a host of other industries are concerned about interference, including hospitals, entertainers and professional sports organizers. They fear interference with wireless microphones. During a recent speech in Washington, D.C., Google co-founder Larry Page discounted the broadcasters' view that using white space spectrum would cause interference, saying that there isn't any technical validity to that claim. The FCC has been testing several white space device prototypes and is expected to continue to trial devices.

Voyant is a digital media and technology holding company that will be entering the wireless space for the first time with this $2-million contract. The company says its strategy is to combine existing and new technologies with the company's substantial portfolio of intellectual property and domain knowledge in order to address emerging applications in the wireless sector. Don't be surprised to see others gravitating to the white space market now that Google has done a fine job publicizing it.

To find out more about Voyant's white space strategy:
- read this TMCnet article

Related stories:
- Sprint, T-Mobile advocate white space for backhaul. See this white space story
- CTIA, carriers join NAB against white space devices. Read this white space story
- FCC begins second round of white space testing. See this white space story

FCC seeks comments on D-block re-auction

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:59:53 -0400

The FCC has given a June 20 deadline for receiving comments on how it should reauction the D-block 700 MHz spectrum. The spectrum, reserved for public/private network, failed to receive the minimum bid amount during the recent 700 MHz auction.

Already, the FCC has received comments from the mobile industry, public safety and academics. Most comments focus on how D-Block rules can be crafted to attract bidders that have the funds to build and operate a national wireless broadband network serving public safety.

Top public-safety groups and some Congressional members have voiced support to continue with the public-private partnership idea, offering first responders priority access while serving the general consumer. It appears the reserve price, which was previously $1.3 billion, will likely be changed.

For more about the D-block spectrum:
- read this RCR Wireless News article

Related stories:
- Congress takes on failure of D-block auction. See this D-block auction story
- Frontline closes doors; D-block auction in question. Read this Frontline story

Will a spectrum auction requiring free broadband services work?

Tue, 27 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has scheduled a vote on rules for another spectrum auction that would include 25 megahertz in the 2155 MHz to 2180 MHz band and would require the winning bidder to offer free broadband service under a strict buildout schedule. (See story No. 1)

The proposal is based on a number of proposals entities have floated over the years. Namely M2Z networks back in 2006 asked the FCC for free spectrum in that band to offer free broadband for the masses. The FCC subsequently denied all of the plans because they go against a principle established decades ago that the commission needs to grant spectrum via an auction.

The rules the FCC is looking at would stipulate a free service tier and would require the winning bidder to reach 50 percent of the population in four years and 95 percent of the population by the end of the license term.

How would the operator create a business plan out of these requirements? We can guess from M2Z's previous proposal. The company was planning to receive a return on its investment by offering access to the network on a wholesale basis. The company had also planned to offer a premium broadband service that would be faster than current DSL and cable speeds for which it would charge between $20 and $30 per month.

But that proposal was two years ago, when there wasn't the threat of Clearwire's WiMAX, new 4G networks in 2010 and failed muni-WiFi business models. Plus M2Z had proposed that the spectrum be free.

So the question is, would such an auction generate any interest? The intentions of such a network are noble, but it seems to be a risky business proposition given the fact that network operators build out their networks according to demand for their services. This could very well end up being another D-block auction if the FCC doesn't craft its rules carefully and offer a clear money-making path.--Lynnette