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Service
Frequency
Comment
  20 Hz - 20 kHz Human hearing

10 kHz Wavelength is 30 km. Waves penetrate significant distance into water. Use: Communication with submarines.
  100 kHz Wavelength 3 km. Use: Navigation
  1000 kHz Wavelength: 300 meters. AM Broadcasting
  10 MHz Wavelength: 30 meters. Interesting property: ionospheric reflection. Use: CB radio, HF broadcasting
  55-88 MHz TV Channels 2-6
  88-108 MHz FM Broadcasting
  100 MHz Wavelength: 3 meters. Use: FM Broadcasting. TV broadcasting.
  162 MHz NOAA Weather Radio
  175-215 MHz TV Channels 7-13
  417 - 890 MHz TV Channels 14-83
700 MHz
700 MHz FCC 700 MHz Page.  Service to be auctioned in 30 MHz bands
  800 MHz Cell Phones
LMS
Part 15 Ultra Wide Band
902-928 MHz Shared between Location and monitoring service and Part 15 operations. Power limit: 1W to 6dbi Antenna or + 36dBm (4W EIRP).  Frequency Hopping or DSSS. 26 MHz total band. Cordless Phones.
  1000 MHz Wavelength: 30 cm. Use: Cellular radio, top of UHF TV band
  1227.6 MHz GPS
  1575.42 MHz GPS
  1.62 GHz Satellite Phone L Band
  1800-1900 MHz Cell Phones
  2155 MHz Advanced Wireless Service
  2200 MHz 3G Cell Phones
Wireless Communications Service
2.3 GHz Satellite Phone narrow band
Part 15 SuperNet
Unlicensed Spectrum
2.4 GHz
2400-2483.5 MHz
short-range, high speed (54Mbps) wireless digital. Large bandwidth (83.5 MHz). Can be used for last mile access, wireless networking, and line of sight over distance. Unaffected by weather. Bluetooth.
  2496-2690 Educational
2600-2700 MHz Range 35 miles.  Not as vulnerable to the weather. Line of sight required. See ITFS proceeding. Sprint 30%; Nextel 40%.

3.65-3.7 GHz  Unlicensed
C-band Satellite Down Link
3.7 - 4.2 GHz The C-band satellite downlink, also used by fixed service stations
Emergency
4.3 GHz
Public Safety Band
4.9 GHz
  5.0 - 5.15 GHz Air traffic control operations
  5.091 - 5.25 "WRC-95 allocated this band on a primary basis to fixed-satellite (Earth-to-space) service (FSS uplinks) to provide feeder links for non geostationary satellite systems in the mobile satellite service (MSS) on a coprimary basis with government aeronautical radionavigation."
Part 15 SuperNet
Unlicensed Spectrum
5.15-5.25 GHz short-range, high speed wireless digital. Indoor Use and campus links. 50mW. OFDM. 100 MHz total per band, 4 channels each band, 20 MHz spacing.
Part 15 SuperNet
Unlicensed Spectrum
5.25-5.35 GHz 250mW in to 6dBi Antenna or +30  dBm (1W EIRP). OFDM. 100 MHz total per band, 4 channels each band, 20 MHz spacing.
WRC
5.47 - 5.725
Part 15 SuperNet
Unlicensed Spectrum
5.725-5.825 GHz short-range, high speed wireless digital. Can be used for last mile access, wireless networking, and line of sight over distance. 1W in to 6 dBi Antenna or + 36dBm (4W EIRP). Cordless phones.
C-band Satellite Up Link
5.925 - 6.425 GHz The C-band satellite uplink, also used by fixed service stations

6.525 - 6.875 GHz Governmental, industrial, communications carrier, and transportation licensees use this general-purpose fixed microwave band. 

10 GHz Wavelength: 3 cm. Properties: higher ranges affected by intense rain. Use: Satellite Data and TV, point to point communications, radar

10.55 - 10.6 GHz fixed microwave links, backhaul, connecting cell sites with the central switch in a cellular system...

10.7 - 11.7 GHz terrestrial fixed links . KU Band Satellite.
Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service 12.2 - 12.7 GHz  multichannel video, data, or digital audio service
Upperbands 24+ GHz Bands 24 GHz and above.  Data rates of up to 155 Mbps.  Suffer signal loss in adverse weather.  Greater requirement for line of sight transmission.
24 GHz Fixed Wireless
24 GHz Formerly Digital Electronic Messaging Service
Fixed wireless.  10 year license term.  Licensed in 40 MHz pairs, can use contiguous bandwidth up to 200 MHz through aggregation.
LMDS Auction
28 GHz
Wireless Cable
39 GHZ
Satellite
Satellite
Non-geostationary satellite orbit fixed-satellite service
12.2-12.7 GHz
Strospheric Platforms
47.2 to 48.2 GHz Skystation
. 92-95 GHz FCC OET will reportedly issue an NOI in late 2000 concerning possible uses of band including licensed and unlicensed use.  Band is currently used for military communications.

Law

  • Radio Acts of 1912 and 1927. Fed Gov takes over spectrum management. Allocates use between private and govt users. Emergency and military needs have priority. Airwaves are a scarce public resource licensed for private use under a public interest standard. Cannot broadcast without a license.
  • Communications Act of 1934: Combined elements of the Radio Act of 1927 in Title III and elements of ICC common carrier regulation in Title II
FCC Busts Pirate Radio Boat.
Goodbye RDI. (Editor Note: A good friend of mine was involved in this boat).

Regulation

  • Ch. Martin testified before the Feb. 1, 2007 Senate Commerce Committee that he has a draft order declaring that Internet over Wireless is an Information Service

Spectrum Policy Task Force

Derived From: Kenneth Carter, Ahmed Lahjouji, Neal McNeal, Unlicensed and Unshackled: A Joint OSP-OET White Paper on Unlicensed Devices and Their Regulatory Issues, OSP Working Paper 39 p 11 (May 2004)

In a more recent effort to address spectrum access issues, the FCC established a Spectrum Policy Task Force in June 2002. The Task Force was composed of senior staff members from several FCC Bureaus and Offices who were asked to assist the FCC in identifying and evaluating changes in spectrum policy necessary to reflect advances in technology that were likely to increase the public benefits from spectrum use. In November 2002, the Task Force released its findings. Its report noted that, while certain frequency bands are heavily used, many bands either are not in use in all geographic areas or are only heavily used part of the time. Furthermore, the Task Force determined, that these characteristics served to limit access to available spectrum and that such limitations are a more significant problem than the physical scarcity of spectrum itself. The report identified three unique approaches to spectrum policy based on the establishment of a set of legal rights: 1) an exclusive use approach; 2) a commons approach; and 3) a command-and-control approach. 19

The Task Force urged that the FCC evolve its spectrum policy from its traditional “command and control” model to a more market-oriented approach to achieve spectral efficiency. The Task Force set out four key recommendations to accomplish this policy reform. Recommendations include:

1. Migrate toward more flexible, consumer-oriented policies. The Task Force recommended that the Commission evolve its spectrum policy toward more flexible and market-oriented spectrum policies that will provide incentives for users to migrate to more technologically innovative and economically efficient uses of spectrum.

2. Adopt quantitative standards to provide interference protection: interference temperature. The Task Force recommended the creation of a quantitative standard for acceptable interference that provides both greater certainty for licensees and greater access to unused spectrum for unlicensed operators.

3. Improve access through the time dimension. The Task Force found that new technological developments now permit the Commission to increasingly consider the use of time, in addition to frequency, power and space, as an added dimension permitting more dynamic allocation and assignment of spectrum usage rights. This would provide access to unused or underused spectrum through time-sharing of spectrum between multiple users and lead to more efficient use of the spectrum resource.

4. Shift from “command and control” model to exclusive and commons models. The Task Force recommended that the Commission base its spectrum policy on a balance of three spectrum rights models: an exclusive use approach, a commons approach and, to a more limited degree, a command-and-control approach. While the command-and-control model currently dominates today’s policy, the Task Force recommended altering the balance to provide greater use of both the exclusive use and commons models throughout the radio spectrum and limiting the use of the command-and-control model to those instances where there are compelling public policy reasons, such as some public safety applications. To the extent feasible, more spectrum should be identified for both licensed and unlicensed uses under flexible rules and existing spectrum that is subject to more restrictive command-andcontrol regulation should over time be transitioned to these models.

On of the most notable of the Task Force’s recommendations, from an unlicensed device perspective, is that it urges the adoption of an “interference temperature.” The new metric would allow the FCC to quantify and manage interference on a band-by-band basis, by establishing limits on the noise environment in which receivers would be required to operate. To the extent, however, that the interference temperature in a particular band is not reached, the report argues, users who emit energy below that temperature could operate more flexibly – with the interference temperature serving as the maximum cap on the potential RF energy any device could introduce into the band.

Notes

  • Radio spectrum is that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum used for communications.
    • What spectrum can be used for depends on its physical characteristics
      • High or low frequency
      • Amount of bandwidth
    • It is assumed that spectrum is finite (researchers working on smart radios are trying to challenge this)
  • Frequency is the number of times per second a radio wave undergoes a complete cycle
    • Hertz (Hz) = 1 cycle per second
    • Kilohertz (kHz) = 1 thousand cycles per second
    • Megahertz (MHz) = 1 million cycles per second
    • Gigahertz (GHz) - 1 billion cycles per second
  • Wavelength = (speed of light) / (frequency)
  • Amplitude = signal strength or power
  • Interference: Effect of unwanted energy due to one or a combination of emissions, radiations, or inductions under reception in a radio communications system, manifested by any performance degradation, misinterpretation, or loss of information which could be extracted in the absence of such unwanted energy. 47 CFR 2.1
  • Bandwidth: Amount of spectrum a signal occupies
  • Dramatic cost reduction of wireless broadband technology. Increasing processing power; new modulation techniques making better use of spectrum; improvements in antenna and radio technology; architectural improvements.
  • New Builds
    • Advantage over wireline: physical trench from street or drop from poles for each house. Physical connect at street by installer. Cost of drop cabling. Mode of wireline modem. Onsite installation.
    • Wireless: shared wireless network access point - no physical connection. Cost of wireless modem. No on site visit (truck role).
    • But wireless unlikely to have enough capacity to compete for full service video for 5-7 years?? (Stagg Newman in 2006)

 

Whitespace

M2Z

800 Mhz

2496-2690 MHz

ET Docket No. 03-237 DEADLINES
STATUS: Closed
Interference Temperature Express Your Views!  Comments can be filed with the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System.  FAQ: How to participate in FCC Proceedings.
In light of the ever increasing demand for radio spectrum, and recognizing the additional challenges this presents for effectively managing interference, the FCC today adopted a Notice of Inquiry and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that sets forth and seeks comment on a possible new way to quantify and manage interference among different services. Termed "interference temperature," this model for addressing interference takes into account the actual cumulative radiofrequency (RF) energy from transmissions of spectrum-based devices, and would set a maximum cap on the aggregate of these transmissions. In contrast, the current approach for managing interference focuses on specifying and limiting the transmit powers of individual spectrum-based devices as the chief way to prevent interference. The "interference temperature" approach may facilitate more intensive use of the radio spectrum, creating the opportunities for new services and improving the predictability of any interference to existing services. The Notice of Inquiry seeks comment on a number of issues related to the need for, development, and implementation of an interference temperature model for managing interference. To test the potential usefulness and applicability of this approach, which was included as one of the recommendations of the Spectrum Policy Task Force, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on various technical rules that would establish procedures and use the interference temperature model on a limited basis in the following two bands: 6525-6700 MHz and portions of the 12.75-13.25 GHz bands. Specifically, these procedures would enable unlicensed devices to operate in these bands, which are used primarily for satellite uplinks and fixed point-to-point microwave services. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking also seeks comment on whether the possible introduction of unlicensed operation into these bands would impact these existing services. Action by the Commission November 13, 2003, by Notice of Inquiry and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 03-289). Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Copps, and Martin with Commissioner Adelstein approving in part and concurring in part. Chairman Powell, Commissioners Copps and Adelstein issued separate statements. ET Docket No. 03-237  POC: 
Press Release

FCC Begins Inquiry And Proposed Rulemaking Regarding "Interference Temperature" Approach For Interference Management., FCC 11/14/2003

  • Interference Temperature Operation, Fed Reg 5/30/2007
  • Priceless (Antenna Construction), Odessa 5/14/03
  • ITFS, MDS, MMDS Proceeding
  • Released: 03/18/2003. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES ACTION ON RESPONSES TO PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING ITFS, MDS, AND MMDS PENDING LEGAL MATTERS. (DA No. 03-638). WTB. Contact: Gregory Vadas at (202) 418-0680, FCC 3/19/03
  • FCC to review airwave allocation, MSNBC 3/14/03
  • FCC Initiates Proceeding to Facilitate Wireless Broadband Access in the 2500-2690 MHz Bands., FCC 3/14/03
  • REMARKS OF MICHAEL K. POWELL, CHAIRMAN, FCC, AT THE SILICON FLATIRONS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER. OCH. "Broadband Migration III: New Directions in Wireless Policy" FCC 11/1/02
  • FCC Adopts Order Granting Relief to Eligible Auction No. 35 Bidders. FCC 11/15/02
  • Spectrum Policy Task Force Presents Recommendations for Spectrum Policy Reform FCC 11/8/02
  • Multipoint Distribution Service MMDS

    • FCC MDS Auction Page.
    • Two-way Digital ITFS and MDS Communications Approved; New Services, Faster Internet Access Available for Consumers (MM Docket 97-217) FCC Press Release Sept 17, 1998  "The Commission has cleared the way for Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) and Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) licensees to offer two-way digital services. As a result of today's action, a new, competitive group of players may emerge for delivery of high speed two-way communications service to consumers. Both individual and business consumers will be able to use the high-speed and high-capacity

    • data transmission and Internet service that will be available through the new systems..."
    • "Multipoint and/or Multichannel Distribution Services (MDS), popularly referred to as "Wireless Cable," is a service that permits the delivery of video programming to subscribers through microwave transmitting and receiving antennas. The channels allocated to MDS are generally used to provide a multichannel video programming service that is similar to cable television, but, rather that being hard-wired, MDS uses microwave frequencies. A total of 493 MDS licenses were auctioned, one for each of the Basic Trading Areas (BTAs) in the United States and territories. Initially, there were 155 qualified bidders. One hundred forty one of the qualified bidders were small businesses. The number of winning bidders totaled 67. "
    • Spectrum was previously intended for wireless cable.
    • Range:  35 miles.
    • Request for Declaratory Ruling on the Use of Digital Modulation by Multipoint Distribution Service and Instructional Television Fixed Service Stations, 11 FCC Rcd 18839 (1996)
    • Amendment of Parts 21 and 74 to Enable Multipoint Distribution Service and Instructional Television Fixed Service Licensees to Engage in Fixed Two-Way Transmission, Report and Order, Docket No. 97-217, 13 FCC Rcd 19112 (1998)., Order on Reconsideration, 14 FCC Rcd 12764 (1999).
    • 47 CFR § 21.900; 47 CFR § 74.901
    • Service Providers
    • Marvin Sirbu & Kanchana Wanichkorn (Carnegie Mellon University)  MMDS Internet Access: a Cost Model (PPT) 2000 Internet & Telecoms Convergence Consortium

    24 GHz Fixed Wireless

    Formerly the Digital Electronic Messaging Service, the 24 GHz band will be available for fixed wireless use including broadband services.  The service will have the following characteristics:
    Determined 24 GHz licensees, including incumbent Digital Electronic Message Service licensees, will be
    • governed by Part 101 of the FCC's Rules; 
    • licensed in 40 MHz flexible channel pairs; 
    • either the upper or lower side of the 40 MHz channel pairs can be used for the nodal station or the subscriber station
    • a ten-year license term from the date of grant. 
    • licensees may partition and/or disaggregate their licenses and allowed licensees to aggregate 24 GHz band spectrum.
    • allowing the use of non-directional antennas as well as one-foot diameter parabolic antennas; 
    • eliminating individual licensing for nodal stations; 
    • allowing a maximum contiguous bandwidth of up to 200 MHz through aggregation.
    FCC Promotes Development Of Wireless Broadband Services Adopts Rules For A Future Auction Of 24 GHz Fixed Wireless Licenses (Text , Word

    FCC 24 GHz Auction Page



    • LMDS Auction
      • FCC LMDS Auction Page
        • Permissible Uses:  "A local multipoint distribution system (LMDS) is capable of offering subscribers a variety of one and two-way broadband services, such as video programming distribution; video teleconferencing; wireless local loop telephony; and high speed data transmission, e.g. internet access. Because of its multi-purpose applications, LMDS has the potential to become a major competitor to local exchange and cable television services.  LMDS systems may consist of a multicell configuration distribution systems with return path capability within the assigned spectrum. Generally, each cell will contain a centrally located transmitter (hub), multiple receivers or transceivers, and point-to-point links interconnecting the cell with a central processing center and/or other cells."  FCC LMDS Reauction Fact Sheet.
        • Range:  3-5 miles.
      • Report No: AUC-98-23-B. Released: January 29, 1999. AUCTION OF LOCAL MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION SERVICE SPECTRUM .Auction Notice and Filing Requirements for 168 Local Multipoint Distribution Service Licenses Scheduled for April 27, 1999/Minimum Opening Bids and Other Procedural Issues. (Auction No. 23). (DA No. 99-266). Contact: Auctions Hotline: 888-CALL-FCC, FCC Technical Support Hotline: (202) 414-1250, TTY: (202) 414-1255.
      • FCC Allows LMDs Eligibility Restriction to Sunset June 30, 2000. 6/23/00

  • Wireless Cable
      • Press Release:  FCC REVISITS LICENSING AND SERVICE RULES FOR 39 GHZ BAND Action Brings Commission Closer to Auction of 39 GHz Spectrum July 14, 1999
      • FCC 39 GHz Auction Page. (closed May 8, 2000)
      • 39 GHz licensees may provide fixed communications including point-to-point and point-to-multipoint communications. Mobile     communications are subject to the development of inter-licensee and inter-service interference criteria. See Report and Order and     Second Notice of Proposed Rule Making at para. 25.

      • Licenses will be issued for a ten-year term from the initial license grant date. Licensees have a renewal expectancy based on the provision of substantial service and substantial compliance with applicable Commission rules, policies, and the Communications Act. (See 47 C.F.R. § 101.13 (d)).

    Auctions

    Govt Activity

    • Kwerel, Evan and Williams (2002) “A Proposal for A Rapid Transition to Market Allocation of Spectrum”, Federal Communications Commission OPP Working Paper No. 38 (Nov. 15).

    Timeline

    • 1993 Pres Clinton signs authorization for FCC to auction spectrum

    Auctions Papers

      • Hazlett, Thomas W., and Roberto E. MuZoz (2004). "What Really Matters in Spectrum Allocation De-sign,” Working paper (April 26).
      • Rothkopf, Michael H., and Coleman Bazelon (2003) “Interlicense Competition: Spectrum Deregulation Without Confiscation or Giveaways”, New America Foundation Spectrum Policy Program, Spectrum Series Working Paper No. 8 (August).
      • Klemperer, Paul (2002) “What Really Matters in Auction Design”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 16, pp. 169-189.
      • Hazlett, T. H. (2001), .The Wireless Craze, the Unlimited Bandwidth Myth, the Spectrum Auction Faux Pas, and the Punchline to Ronald Coase’s .Big Joke.: An Essay on Airwave Allocation Policy,. Harvard Journal of Law and Technology, 14(2), Spring, 2001.
      • Prat, Andrea and Tommaso Valletti (2001), “Spectrum Auctions Versus Beauty Contests: Costs and Benefits,” Rivista di Politica Economica, vol. 91, N. 4-5, pp. 59-10-9, April-May.
      • Rosston, Gregory L. (2001) “The Long and Winding Road: The FCC Paves the Path with Good Intentions”, SIEPR Discussion Paper No. 01-08.
      • Kwerel, Evan (2000) “Spectrum Auctions Do Not Raise the Price of Wireless Services: Theory and Evidence,” FCC, October.
      • Cramton, Peter. (1998) “The Efficiency of the FCC Spectrum Auctions.” Journal of Law and Economics, 41, pp. 727-736, October.
      • Crampton, Peter, and Suzi Kerr (1998) Tradable Carbon Allowance Auctions: How and Why to Auction. Washington, D.C.: Center for Clean Air Policy. March.
      • Hazlett, Thomas W. (1998) “Assigning Property Rights to Radio Spectrum Users: Why Did FCC License Auctions Take 67 Years?” Journal of Law & Economics 41 (Oct.), 529-75.
      • Noam, Eli (1998) “Spectrum Auctions: Yesterday’s Heresy, Today’s Orthodoxy, Tomorrow’s Anachronism.” Taking the Next Step to Open Spectrum Access. Journal of Law and Economics, 56(2). pp. 765-790. December.
      • Rosston, Gregory L., and Jeffrey S. Stein berg (1997) “Using Market-Based Spectrum Policy to Promote the Public Interest,” Federal Communications Law Journal, vol 50(1).
      • FCC (1997) “The FCC Report to Congress on Spectrum Auctions, Federal Communications Commission,” Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, FCC 97-353 (Oct. 9).
      • CBO (1997) “Where Do We Go From Here? The FCC Auctions and the Future of Radio Spectrum Management,” Congressional Budget Office (April).
      • McMillan, John (1994) “Why Auction the Spectrum?” Telecommunications Policy, Vol. 19. No. 3.

    Papers

    Federal Activity

    Links

    Timeline

    • 1993: there were two providers per market w an average monthly bill of $67.31 that included local, long distance and roaming charges as well as a landline surcharge. With 11 million customers, the adoption rate was 5 percent.
    • 2003: over 98 percent of consumers can choose from between three to eight providers with an average monthly bill of $49.46 that includes nationwide coverage and no roaming fees or long distance charges. With 148 million consumers, the adoption rate is 50 percent.

    News [Recent News]

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