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NAB Signs on to Proposal Regarding Towers and Birds

On May 3, 2010, after extensive negotiations, NAB and six other organizations submitted to the FCC a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that contained recommendations designed to help the FCC protect migratory birds as part of its Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) process.

Two years ago, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. ordered the FCC to expeditiously change its ASR program and to give public notice prior to granting tower applications. At the request of the FCC, NAB, along with other industry Infrastructure Coalition Members (CTIA - The Wireless Association, PCIA and the National Association of Tower Erectors) and the conservation groups (comprised of the American Bird Conservancy, the Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society) entered negotiations to develop interim standards that would be used for the ASR program.

The conservation groups were pressing the FCC to adopt an aggressive set of policies and procedures, including Environment Assessments (EA) for all towers, which would have slowed ASR grants from overnight to over a year. In addition, many of their suggestions would have seriously impeded the approval of taller towers.

The agreement covers towers for which an ASR is required to be filed. Depending upon the height of the proposed tower or the specifications of a replacement tower, some would require an EA to be performed to access the tower's impact on migratory birds and would be placed on public notice (per court order), others (e.g., shorter towers, replacement towers, repaired towers) could be exempted from the process. Among other things, the MOU proposes three ASR categories:

Category #1 - New Towers taller than 450 feet above ground level (AGL).

  • ASRs always require inclusion of an EA upon filing.
  • ASRs will always be placed on Public Notice by the FCC.

    Category #2 - New Towers of a height of 351 to 450 feet AGL.

  • ASRs do not initially require an EA based on avian concerns.
  • ASRs will always be placed on Public Notice by the FCC.
  • The FCC will determine whether an EA is necessary for Category #2 ASRs after reviewing the ASR application and any filings made in response to the Public Notice.

    Category #3 - New Towers of a height no greater than 350 feet AGL, Replacement Towers and Minor ASRs.

  • ASRs do not require an EA upon filing based on avian concerns.
  • The parties could not agree on whether Public Notice is required for Category #3 ASRs; see Section III.B, of the MOU for a discussion of this point.

    In addition, the MOU calls on the FCC to adopt and utilize a preferred lighting scheme for changes to existing towers that might minimize potential adverse consequences. The Conservation Groups rank FAA Lighting Styles in the following order, with the most preferred lighting system listed first and the least preferred light system listed last:

    FAA Style B (L-856)
    FAA Style D (L-865)
    FAA Style E (L864/L-865/L-810s)
    FAA Style C (L-856/L-865)
    FAA Style F (White Strobe Day/Red Beacon Night and L-810s)
    FAA Style A (L-864/L-810)

    (A complete description of each FAA Lighting Styles and the manner in which it is to be deployed is found at FAA, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Advisory Circular: Obstruction Marking and Lighting, AC 70/7460-1K, (Feb. 1, 2007).)

    Thus, If the owner of an existing tower plans to change from one FAA Lighting scheme to another, the Lighting Preference Chart would be used to determine whether the change would require a Category #2 or Category #3 ASR to be filed:

  • A change of lighting system from a less preferred FAA Lighting Style to a more preferred FAA Lighting Style would require the filing of a Category #3 ASR, and
  • A change of lighting system from a more preferred FAA Lighting Style to a less preferred FAA Lighting Style would require the filing of a Category #2 ASR.

    A copy of the MOU is available here. NAB is optimistic that the Commission will endorse the agreement and avoid a significant percentage of broadcast towers ASRs from having to submit an Environmental Assessment at the time of application/public


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    Sprint's WiMAX making inroads into federal agencies

    Sprint (NYSE:S) announced it is making inroads into federal agencies with its WiMAX offerings.

    According to Sprint, dozens of federal agencies have already certified Sprint's WiMAX-enabled devices. Two key applications the operator is honing on include situational awareness and healthcare. Situational awareness applications include: mobile high-definition video surveillance, location-based solutions, laptop connectivity for individual agents, video streaming or connections to/from handheld devices and the transmission of large images and video from target areas.

    Sprint said administrators in federally managed facilities are using WiMAX to offer expanded mobility for caregivers. For example, medical staff can view high-resolution medical images on the HD screen of HTC Evo or view patient records and lab reports on WiMAX-connected wireless tablet PCs while gaining increased mobility so they can spend more time with patients.

    For more:
    - see this release

    Related articles:
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    Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:33:08 -0400

    Community WiFi giving cable a run in some communities

    A new multi-dwelling WiFi installation in Provo, Utah illustrates a new trend in which community WiFi applications are providing broadband Internet connections that are cheaper and easier to install than cable systems. More than 300 homes within the 320-acre Cambria Community can receive the 802.11n-based 3 to 5 Mbps service for about $21 a month--less than one half the price of most cable broadband offerings in the area. Article



    Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:11:54 -0400

    Will new portable hotspot/unlimited data plans put the squeeze on AT&T?

    Clearwire and Virgin Mobile recently introduced portable WiFi hotspots and contract-free unlimited mobile broadband data plans--the Clearwire Puck and the Virgin Mobile MiFi. Will their moves make bundled data plans obsolete for the likes of AT&T (NYSE:T)?

    Rather than paying $25 for 2 GB of data on the iPhone, plus $20 for tethering and another $25 for 2 GB of data on the iPad, AT&T subscribers can buy the minimal data plan for 200 MB on the iPhone and instead pay $40 per month with Virgin Mobile for unlimited data on a portable hotspot that could be shared among the iPhone, a laptop and the iPad, noted PC World.

    While the upfront savings is just $15 per month, consumers could potentially save a significant amount considering that mobile hotspots provide unlimited data compared with the 4 GB combined total on AT&T. And even more devices could connect to the portable hotspot.

    For more:
    - see this PC World article

    Related articles:
    Virgin Mobile set to offer $40 unlimited mobile broadband pricing plan
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    Virgin Mobile set to offer $40 unlimited mobile broadband pricing plan
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    Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:06:08 -0400

    FCC seeks comment on open access rules for wireless networks

    The FCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that pertains to how wireless networks and specialized services should be handled under open access provisions envisioned by the commission.

    The FCC is seeking comments on how wireless providers should address transparency, devices and applications.

    "The NPRM seeks comment on ‘how, to what extent, and when' openness principles should apply to mobile wireless platforms, with a particular emphasis on furthering innovation, private investment, competition and freedom of expression," the FCC said. "Mobile broadband providers such as AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) and Leap Wireless (NASDAQ:LEAP) have recently introduced pricing plans that charge different prices based on the amount of data a customer uses. The emergence of these new business models may reduce mobile broadband providers' incentives to employ more restrictive network management practices that could run afoul of open Internet principles. Additionally, Verizon and Google issued a proposal for open Internet legislation that would exclude wireless, except for proposed transparency requirements."

    When it comes to transparency, the FCC asks how end users, content device and applications companies might make informed decisions about mobile broadband network providers. In addition, the commission wants to know how applications may be tied to the network. "To what extent should mobile wireless providers be permitted to prevent or restrict the distribution or use of types of applications that may intensively use network capacity, or that cause other network management challenges," wrote the FCC. 

    The FCC is also questioning whether operators should have their own app stores and if web-based applications should be regulated differently than native applications. "If providers were to be prohibited from denying or restricting access to applications in their capacity as network providers, should they nevertheless have discretion regarding what apps are included in app stores that they operate," the FCC asks.

    For more:
    - see this RCR Wireless News article

    Related articles:
    Net neutrality - One year at the FCC
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    De la Vega: Google, Verizon net neutrality agreement is a positive sign
    Verizon, Google offer net neutrality pact that exempts wireless



    Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:30:20 -0400

    FCC close to finalizing TV white space rules

    The FCC is close to releasing final rules for the use of TV white space spectrum after authorizing the spectrum's use for unlicensed services back in 2008.

    According to The Wall Street Journal, some of Chairman Julius Genachowski's top aides have met with broadcasters and other involved parties to hammer out the remaining challenges to use of the spectrum. Genachowski indicated earlier this year that he wanted rules finalized by the end of September. Companies such as Microsoft and Google have continued to lobby the FCC for the final rules.

    White space airwaves "represent a unique opportunity to spark next-generation broadband networks across the country," Rick Whitt, Google's telecom and media counsel, said in an interview with the WSJ. "We're very eager for the commission to give the green light to start innovating and building new services on these airwaves."

    Since the FCC approved the use of white space spectrum in late 2008, broadcasters and wireless microphone users have continued to fret over the potential for interference. The FCC's technical conditions require that both fixed and portable devices include geolocation and spectrum-sensing applications capable of integrating with an FCC database that comprises TV signals and the location of venues such as stadiums and concert arenas that use wireless microphones. Geolocation technology will be used to map the location of the device and compares it to the location of TV stations in an area. The database must be able to check for other registered devices, making sure the device is registered with the database and calculating accurate maps to identify TV channels and other services operating in the spectrum.

    For more:
    - check out this WSJ article

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    Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:28:02 -0400
    FCC YouTube Feeds

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    Consumer Help Center Guide
    Welcome to the FCC's Consumer Help Center, available to you at FCC.gov/consumers. This video gives a brief introduction into the key features that can help you protect your privacy online, test your own broadband speed, and learn more about issues that affect consumers like you, such as preventing bill shock and early termination fees. (Public Domain)
    Views: 134
    0 ratings
    Time: 03:13 More in Science & Technology


    Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:15:26 +0000

    FCC Open Commission Meeting, August 5, 2010
    August Open Commission Meeting, where the Commission discussed hearing aid compatibility and wireless backhaul. (Public Domain)
    Views: 135
    0 ratings
    Time: 01:09:26 More in Science & Technology


    Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:53:12 +0000

    WRC-12 Advisory Committee Meeting
    On July 28, 2010 the WRC-12 Advisory Committee considered recommendations concerning preparation for the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12). (Public Domain)
    Views: 42
    0 ratings
    Time: 16:20 More in Science & Technology


    Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:37:43 +0000

    Wireless World Travel Week - Dulles International Airport
    On June 23rd, several FCC employees visited Dulles International Airport to converse with and inform members of the public about roaming issues when traveling and abroad. (Public Domain)
    Views: 195
    0 ratings
    Time: 04:09 More in Science & Technology


    Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:16:04 +0000

    A Look at the FCC-FDA Medical Technology Showcase
    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are seeking comment on converged communications and health care devices' impact on regulation. A public meeting to discuss topics related to this issue was held on July 26 and 27, 2010. (Public Domain)
    Views: 619
    0 ratings
    Time: 04:26 More in Science & Technology


    Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:33:43 +0000
    FCC News