Howard Buskirk

The U.S. and U.K. could be headed for a conflict over the need for the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) to approve a comprehensive overhaul of Articles 9 and 11 of world Radio Regulations. The FCC Advisory Committee for the WRC approved a resolution Wed. opposing those efforts, saying they could undermine the world satellite industry.

The FCC voted 5-0 on Tues. to adopt masks, based on requests by law enforcement agencies, for their use of 4.9 GHz spectrum. As expected, the FCC overrode objections by Motorola, which asked for a more restrictive mask, citing potential interference concerns. Members of the Commission emphasized that the masks give agencies significant flexibility to buy equipment from a broad array of manufacturers.

The FCC’s decision giving Nextel 1.9 GHz spectrum as part of the 800 MHz rebanding doesn’t violate federal law against private sale of public resources, the GAO found. Verizon dropped its legal objections to the rebanding order last week, and the GAO action was one remaining area of uncertainty (CD Nov 3 p1).

If cable companies move into wireless through a consortium, they're most likely to do so initially as resellers of services offered by Sprint and other operators rather than as new entrants in spectrum markets, sources said Mon. Financial analysts said several questions remain about whether cable operators -- which carry significant debt after years of rebuilding their systems -- would want to invest heavily now in buying the spectrum needed to become a national wireless operator.

An FCC source said while the Triennial Review Order’s final UNE rules appear a “virtual certainty” to get a vote at the Dec. meeting, the Commission has more “leeway” to delay the DTV transition. The source noted that the victory this week of President Bush means Chmn. Powell has more time to complete his agenda. “There’s obviously less urgency now,” the source said: “Powell doesn’t have to leave.”

Verizon Wireless agreed to buy all of NextWave’s PCS licenses for $3 billion, the companies said Fri. A federal Bankruptcy Court will be asked to rule on the request at a Nov. 30 hearing in White Plains, N.Y., since the sale represents NextWave’s new reorganization plan. Meanwhile, a top FCC official said the deal likely won’t set off regulatory red flags.

Nearly 5 months after it was adopted, the FCC is about to publish in the Federal Register its long-awaited order promoting provision of wireless broadband on spectrum previously set aside for educational channels. The FCC approved the ITFS-MDS rebanding order June 10 amid much fanfare. The Commission last week approved an erratum sought by the Wireless Communications Assn. making clarifications and launching the rebanding process.

The FCC has sent its 800 MHz rebanding order to the Govt. Printing Office, where it could appear in the Federal Register as early as today (Fri.). Publication is significant since it starts the clock running on forcing Nextel to make a decision as to whether it will accept the proposal. Verizon Wireless and Nextel reached a pact this week under which Verizon agreed to drop legal challenges to the order.

Nextel and Verizon Wireless Tues. called a truce ending their fight over the FCC’s 800 MHz rebanding order. Under an agreement, Verizon won’t oppose the plan, which will give Nextel 10 MHz of 1.9 GHz spectrum nationwide. In return, Nextel dropped a lawsuit against Verizon challenging its use of the term “push to talk,” “PTT” and all related terms. Nextel said it wouldn’t pursue trademark or other claims.

Wireless carriers told the FCC they shouldn’t be forced to transmit emergency messages through text messages on mobile phones. Led by CTIA, carriers noted that efforts to develop a more effective Emergency Alert System (EAS) were under way and a voluntary approach would work best. The Rural Cellular Assn. said in a white paper filed as a comment in the proceeding that wireless phones may be particularly ill-suited as warning devices.