Telecom Business Alert -- Vol. X Issue 23
Register Today - Webinar on Telecom Issues in the Critical Infrastructure Industries
Keller and Heckman attorneys will host a complimentary webinar to discuss key telecom issues facing the Critical Infrastructure industries. This webinar is the second in a series addressing current events at the FCC, including wireless spectrum issues, licensing and enforcement trends, network services, pole attachments and cybersecurity.
FCC Seeks Comment on TV White Spaces Public Tests
On May 29, 2013, the FCC issued Public Notices requesting public comment on the 45-day public trial of Google Inc.'s and Keybridge Global LLC's (Keybridge) TV Bands White Spaces Database systems. The trials allowed the public to access and participate in the testing of Google's and Keybridge's database systems to ensure they correctly identify channels available for unlicensed TV band devices. The unoccupied spectrum in the TV bands is commonly known as TV "White Spaces." The databases are part of the FCC's push to open-up the White Spaces for "super Wi-Fi." The Commission already has certified databases operated by Spectrum Bridge and Telcordia. Comments are due by June 13. For more information please contact Greg Kunkle (kunkle@khlaw.com; 202.434.4178).
FCC Reminds 700 MHz Licensees to File Interim Benchmark Notifications of Construction
Last week the FCC issued a Public Notice reminding 700 MHz band licensees holding economic area (EA) authorizations for Blocks A and E; cellular market authorizations (CMA) for Block B; and regional economic area grouping (REAG) authorizations for Block C of the requirement to demonstrate compliance with their respective interim construction benchmarks. Licensees who have not met the interim construction benchmark are subject to a two-year license term reduction and other possible penalties if no service is being provided. For more information please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4296).
"The FCC has indicated that it may commence enforcement action against 700 MHz licensees that make no effort to construct their stations. It will be interesting to see whether the new policy successfully reduces spectrum warehousing."
-Greg Kunkle
Partner
FCC Issues Final Rule Denying AARL's Petition for Reconsideration of Access BPL Systems
On May 29, the FCC issued a Final Rule in regard to its Memorandum Opinion and Order denying a Petition for Reconsideration filed by filed by the National Association for Amateur Radio, formally known as the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). ARRL sought reconsideration of the Commission's Second Memorandum Opinion and Order in this proceeding relating to Access Broadband over Power Line (Access BPL) systems. AARL had requested that the Commission modify its Access BPL rules to adopt mandatory, full-time notching of all amateur radio allocations with notch depths of at least 25 dB, but the FCC reaffirmed its denial of the petition in the BPL First Order, the BPL First MO&O, and the BPL Second Order. For more information, please contact Tom Magee (magee@khlaw.com, 202.434.4128).
Bits and Pieces of CII Spectrum
In a Special Edition of the UTC Journal dated May 15-17, 2013, Keller and Heckman writes about spectrum opportunities available to the energy industry (oil and gas companies, electric utilities). To view the article, "CII Spectrum: Bits and Pieces," click here and go to page 33: UTC Journal Special Edition 2013.
Send Us Your Feedback
In an attempt to address in our weekly Telecom Business Alert the issues of most importance to the clients and friends of Keller and Heckman LLP, we invite you to submit suggestions on topics of interest to you. To make suggestions, please send an e-mail to TelecomAlert@khlaw.com.
Keller and Heckman LLP's Telecom Business Alert is a complimentary weekly electronic update created by the Telecommunications and the Business Counseling and Transactional practice groups of Keller and Heckman LLP.
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