FCC Opens Rulemaking on 2155-2175 MHz Band: The FCC opened a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the 2155-2175 MHz chunk of spectrum. This follows the FCC's decision to reject proposals by M2Z Networks and others to grant a single nationwide license for public/private partnership. The FCC requests comment on ways to address interference concerns if both mobile and base transmissions are to be allowed in the band, including the use of power limits and out-of-band emissions requirements. The FCC also asks for input on any other technological approaches that could be employed in this band. The NPRM seeks comment on whether to auction the spectrum, authorize unlicensed use of the spectrum, or adopt some other alternative licensing approach. The Commission also seeks comment on licensing and operational rules for this spectrum, including the appropriate block size and geographic area size to be used for licensing the spectrum, whether to license the spectrum under the FCC’s flexible, market-oriented Part 27 rules, and whether to auction the licenses in a simplified subset of alternative band plans.
CLECs Request Changes to Forbearance Rules: Five CLECs asked the FCC to revise the rules for ILEC forbearance requests. The CLECs argues that current rules did not allow enough transparency into the process or time to provide opposition to the request. The petition also asks that the FCC issue actual orders even when forbearance petitions go into effect due to FCC inaction, such as occurred last year with Verizon's broadband forbearance petition.
USF Changes to be Proposed in November:
The USF Joint Board expects to issue proposals to change the system, even including limited eligibility for broadband and wireless.
Intercarrier Compensation Still Dragging: As intercarrier compensation reform continues not to happen, some are suggesting that at least two areas will be addressed before the 2008 election cycle heats up. The FCC will likely issue rules on "phantom traffic" and could change USF contributions to be based on telephone numbers. The Missoula Plan continues to sit on the shelf while the FCC works on other business.
New Whitespace Device Results Presented to FCC: Microsoft and Philips presented new results from tests conducted in California and Texas showing no interference with terrestrial television signals. The FCC lab will review the results. Meanwhile, an order on TV white spaces will be pushed out past October. The NAB continues to heavily lobby against white space use and derided the new test results.
VoIP Providers Argue Against E-911 Location Standards: VoIP providers have filed comments at the FCC urging the FCC not to impose wireless-style E-911 location standards on VoIP. The providers argued that there is no technically feasible method for VoIP providers to automatically identify the customer's location. Vonage has suggested that the underlying network provider should be responsible for identifying 911 location for VoIP customers.
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