Cybertelecom Federal Internet Law & Policy An Educational Project

Wireless

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.
  • The Radio Act of 1927, Pub. L. No. 632, Feb. 23, 1927, 69 th Cong
• 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

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)

• Wireless Broadband Access Task Force Seeks Public Comment on Task Force Report. Public Notice GN Docket No. 04-163, FCC 3/9/2005
• Wireless Broadband Access Task Force Seeks Public Comment on Task Force Report. Report,, FCC 3/9/2005

Whitespace

• FCC rejects 'white space'-sniffing device, CNET 8/14/2007
• FCC Says White-Space Spectrum Device Doesn't Work, Techdirt 8/9/2007
• Prototype Internet Device Fails FCC Test, Wash Post 8/9/2007

M2Z

• FCC Denies M2Z's Free Broadband Plan - Thanks, but no thanks..., DSLreports 9/4/2007
• FCC Not Convinced To Just Hand Over Spectrum To Startup In Exchange For Potential Future Profits, Techdirt
• FCC rejects free Wi-Fi start-up's spectrum plans, CNET 9/4/2007
• FCC Releases Order Dismissing Applications and Petitions for Forebearance by Various Companies in 2155-2175 MHz Band., FCC 9/4/2007
• FCC Ignoring Free Wireless Broadband Proposal?, Internet News 8/20/2007
• Start-up wants Feds to decide on free Wi-Fi plans, CNET 8/20/2007

800 Mhz

• Released: 05/27/2005. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES THAT 800 MHZ BAND RECONFIGURATION WILL COMMENCE JUNE 27, 2005, IN THE NPSPAC REGIONS ASSIGNED TO WAVE 1 AND SPECIFIES 800 MHZ RECONFIGURATION BENCHMARK COMPLIANCE DATES. (DA No. 05-1546). (Dkt No 02-55). WTB. Contact: Roberto Mussenden, Esq. at (202) 418-0680, email: Roberto.Mussenden@fcc.gov, TTY: (202) 418-7233, FCC 6/3/2005
• FCC creates web site for 800 MHz users, Topix 1/14/2005
• FCC PAVES THE WAY FOR NEW BROADBAND SERVICES IN THE AIR. The Commission adopted a flexible approach for licensing the 4 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band currently dedicated to commercial air-ground service. News Release. Adopted: 12/15/2004. News Media Contact: Lauren Patrich at (202) 418-7944, Lauren.Patrich@fcc.gov WTB. Contact Richard Arsenault 202-418-0920, FCC 12/21/2004

2496-2690 MHz

• FCC Modifies Rules for 2496-2690 MHz Broadband Radio Service (BRS)/Educational Broadband Service (EBS) Spectrum Band to

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

• 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
• WorldCom
• Sprint
• Nucentrix
• Marvin Sirbu & Kanchana Wanichkorn (Carnegie Mellon University)  MMDS Internet Access: a Cost Model (PPT) 2000 Internet & Telecoms Convergence Consortium

• 47.2 to 48.2 GHz Auction
• to be used for stratospheric platforms. FCC Auctions Page.
• SeeSkystation
• Skystation Press Release
• July 31, 1998:  Sky Station Proposal Approved by the FCC
• FCC Creates New Frequency Allocation for Stratospheric Internet Service (May 1997)

• 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

• Paul Weiser and Dale Hatfield , Toward Property Rights in Spectrum:   The Difficult Policy Choices Ahead TPRC 2006
• Paul Weiser and Dale Hatfield, Policing the Spectrum Commons, SSRN 5/6/2005
• Adaptive Spectrum Access: Using the Full Spectrum Space, TPRC 9/13/03
• R. Paul Margie , Efficiency, Predictability, and the Need for an Improved Interference Standard at the FCC, TPRC 9/13/03
• Paul Rappoport, James Alleman, Lester D. Taylor , Household Demand for Wireless Telephony:An Empirical Analysis, TPRC 9/13/03
• Michael Rothkopf, Coleman Bazelon , Interlicense Competition: SPECTRUM DEREGULATION WITHOUT CONFISCATION OR GIVEAWAYS, TPRC 9/13/03
• Thomas W. Hazlett, Bruno E. Viani , Legislators V. Regulators: The Case of Low Power FM Radio, TPRC 9/13/03
• Jon M. Peha, Sooksan Panichpapiboon , Real-Time Secondary Markets for Spectrum, TPRC 9/13/03
• Kevin Werbach Supercommons: Toward a Unified Theory of Wireless Communication (aka Taking Open Spectrum Seriously), TPRC 9/13/03
• Seim, Katja, The Effect of Entry and Market Structure on Cellular Pricing Tactics, TPRC 9/13/03
• Michael E. Clements, Stephen M. Brown , The Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act: Price and Quality Impact of Direct Broadcast Satellite Companies' Provision of Local Broadcast Networks, TPRC 9/13/03
• Alain BOURDEAU DE FONTENAY, Auctions vs. Beauty Contests, Is It the Question? A New Look at Access and Spectrum Allocation in France and in the US
• Carol Ting, Johannes M. Bauer, Steven S. Wildman , The U.S. experience with non-traditional approaches to spectrum management: Tragedies of the commons and other myths reconsidered, TPRC 9/13/03
• Siddhartha Raja, Francois Bar , Transition Paths in a Spectrum Commons Regime, TPRC 9/13/03
• Christian Sandvig, Assessing Cooperative Action in 802.11 Networks, TPRC 9/13/03
• Harmeet Sawhney, Wi-Fi Networks and the Reorganization of Wireline-Wireless Relationship, TPRC 9/13/03
• FedCirc 04.15.02 Wireless Security Basics: "Hello? Who's Listening In?"
• Reed, D. P. (2002), .How Wireless Networks Scale: the Illusion of Spectrum Scarcity,. presented at International Symposium on Advanced Radio Technology, Boulder , Colorado , March 4, 2002 .
• Buck, Replacing Spectrum Auctions with Spectrum Commons, STLR 9/18/02
• Sharon Eisner Gillett, William Lehr and Fuencis Merino, Software Radio: Implications for Wireless Services, Industry Structure, and Public Policy
• Sirbu, The Role of Fixed Wireless Access Networks in the Deployment of Broadband Services and Competition in Local Telecommunication Markets, TPRC 9/18/02
• Eszter Hargittai, Radio's Lessons for the Internet, Communications of the ACM, Vol. 43, No. 1 (Jan. 2000) (contrasting early days of radio with early days of Internet)
• Auctions
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.

Federal Activity

• Hatfield Chair of Spectrum Advisory Committee, NTIA 12/15/2006
• FCC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL K. POWELL ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF WIRELESS BROADBAND ACCESS TASK FORCE. News Release. News Media Contact: Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0654 NA, FCC 5/7/2004
• FCC Promotes the Deployment of Wireless Broadband Services by Creating New Rules for the 2495-2690 MHz Band While Protecting Educational Services., FCC 6/14/2004
• FCC Designates Spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services and Proposes Licensing and Service Rules., FCC 9/10/2004
• FCC Spectrum Policy Task Force Announces Internet Database to Track Commission Spectrum Proceedings., FCC 8/25/2004
• FCC OET/CTIA Tutorial on Innovations in Wireless Technology 10/30/2001.  Real Audio Archive.
• FTC Plans Workshop: The Mobile Wireless Web, Data Services and Beyond: Emerging Technologies and Consumer Issues Nov 27, 2000 ITAA
• Jun 14 Senate Communications Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine wireless internet access for rural areas. SR-253  9:30 a.m.
• Released: November 16, 1999. FCC'S OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY TO HOST FORUM ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES FEBRUARY 16, 2000. Contact: Maura McGowan at (202) 418-0987 of OCBO or Dr. Lynn L. Remly at (202) 418-2930. Internet URL:
  http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Miscellaneous/Public_Notices/1999/pnet9025.doc
• OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY TO SPONSOR A TUTORIAL ON WIRELESS ACCESS TO THE INTERNET ON NOVEMBER 30, 1999. Office of Engineering and Technology Contact: Jack Linthicum at (202) 418-2442.  Materials from Tutorial.
• Released: November 15, 1999. THE OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ADDS A MORNING SESSION TO THE "WIRELESS ACCESS TO THE INTERNET" TUTORIAL ON NOVEMBER 30, 1999, COMMISSION MEETING ROOM, 9 A.M.Contact: Jack Linthicum 202-418-2441.

Links

• FCC
• Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
• Office of Engineering and Technology
• Spectrum Policy Task Force
• Wireless Proceeding and Initiatives list Detailed listing of spectrum related proceedings along with links to primary documents.  Cool!
• 3GToday
• Carnegie Mellon University Center for Wireless and Broadband Networking
• Wireless Internet Institute

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]

• White Space
  • Tales of the Sausage Factory: Brief update on White Spaces, Tales from the Sausage Factory 10/10/2007
  • Broadcasters Leverage Monopoly on TV Channels to Push Vacant Channel FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt), Tales from the Sausage Factory 9/12/2007
• Rogers Provides Wireless Internet Access to Canadians Via Rogers, Broadband Wireless Exchange 4/3/2007
• Former Presidents Bush and Clinton Seek Unity Through Wireless, eWeek 3/30/2007
• Broadband By Blimp Company Still Full Of Hot Air, Tech Dirt 12/15/2006
• FCC Grants First Set of Advanced Wireless Services Licenses Won in Auction No. 66., FCC 12/1/2006
• Wireless Providers Poised to Win Spectrum Licenses, NYT 8/28/2006
• AWS Auction Update - Direct TV, Echostar & T-Mobile top dogs so far, Broadband Reports 8/11/2006
• National Free 512Kbps Wireless - Started by former FCC official and @Home exec, Broadband Reports 5/19/2006
• Facilitate Wireless Broadband Access., FCC 4/28/2006
• FCC Turns Blind Eye to AWS Auction, Internet News 4/12/2006
• FCC sets rules for next-generation wireless bids, CNET 4/12/2006
• NTIA Releases Ultrawideband Report,, NTIA 3/2/2006
• FCC sets airwaves sale for Net on planes, CNET 1/13/2006
• FCC Modifies Advanced Wireless Services Rules to Provide Greater Flexibility and Access to Spectrum for Small and Rural Providers., FCC 8/16/2005
• BellSouth to deploy wireless broadband in Florida cities, Bizjournal 6/10/2005
• Tinsel knocks out Brighton wireless network, Register 12/10/2004
• Internet Access, Delivered From Above, NYT 11/30/2004
• Wireless to Drive Internet Growth, Tech Leaders Say, Reuters 11/16/2004
• Press Release: Assistant Secretary Michael Gallagher and FCC Chairman Michael Powell Meet to Plan and Coordinate Spectrum Policy., NTIA 11/12/2004
• FCC Approves First Software Defined Radio., FCC 11/19/2004
• FCC Clears Spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services in 1710-1755 MHz Band by Making Relocation Spectrum Available for Incumbent Federal Government Operations., FCC 10/15/2004
• FCC Adopts Measures to Increase Rural Investment and Facilitate Deployment of Spectrum-Based Services in Rural Areas., FCC 9/29/2004
• FCC Designates Spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services and Proposes Licensing and Service Rules., FCC 9/29/2004
• FCC frees up spectrum for 3G, CNET 9/10/2004
• Advanced Wireless Technologies Could Bring High-Speed Internet to All — ITU report, "The Portable Internet", foresees a wire-free future, ITU 9/10/2004
• Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Released on Promoting Efficient Use of Spectrum Through Elimination of Barriers to the Development of Secondary Markets. Order & 2nd FNPRM, FCC 9/7/2004
• Groups debate wireless spectrum plans, CNET 6/4/2004
• Allegany County Deploys Countywide Wireless Broadband, Govt Tech 5/18/2004
• Wireless cleanup gets House OK, CNET 6/12/03
• FCC Chairman Supports President's Spectrum Policy Initiative., FCC 6/9/03
• IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME, 3G AMERICAS BOARD BRIEFING, FCC COMMISSIONER KATHLEEN Q. ABERNATHY, WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 3, 2003,. CMMR. As Prepared for Delivery, FCC 6/9/03
• Meeting Announcement: NTIA, with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of State's International Communications and Information Policy (CIP) group, will host a two-day wireless technology showcase and policy discussion, May 12-13, NTIA 5/2/03
• CTIA conference overshadowed by war clouds, CW 3/17/03
• Wireless Broadband Waits in the Wings, AP 3/3/03
• Free Wireless Internet Access?, Network Mag 2/24/03
• Wireless Leads Network Convergence, Info World 2/4/03
• Pulling the plug, CNET 2/4/03
• Powell Announces Changes in Wireless Telecommunications Bureau; Tom Sugrue to Leave FCC, John Muleta to be Named Bureau Chief., FCC 1/24/03
• FCC: Open up TV waves to wireless, CNET 1/17/03
• STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN MICAHEL POWELL ON 5-GIGAHERTZ SPECTRUM AGREEMENT. News Release. News Media Contact: David Fiske (202) 418-0513 OCH, FCC 2/4/03
• FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell and Assistant Secretary Nancy J. Victory met formally to plan and coordinate the efforts of the FCC and NTIA to improve U.S. spectrum policy. (12-10-2002), NTIA 12/13/02
• Wireless networks: ending the home turf battle NUA 11/15/02
• FCC urges overhaul of spectrum use MSNBC 11/8/02
• Wireless Web Browsers of the Future Newsfactor 10/28/02
• Electronic Frontier Foundation Joins Wireless Crusade July 25, 2002
• FCC Forms Spectrum Task Force, Internet News 6/5/02
• Why 2002 Is Not the Year for 3G - Part 1, Newsfactor 5/29/02
• IEEE Gives Bluetooth Thumbs Up, Internet News 3/21/02
• Forget the Hype, Fixed Wireless Rocks, Internet News 3/19/02
• FCC Chief Hesitant On New Wireless Rules, Reuters 3/19/02
• Lucky numbers (Nextel, 802.11), CNET 3/21/02
• Plotting Ricochet's revival, CNET 2/1/02
• Before the Towers Fell, Fire Dept. Fought Chaos, NYT 1/30/02
• Verizon Launches Speedy Wireless Service, Reuters 1/28/02
• Wireless, Broadband Changing Face of Telecom, Internet News 1/30/02
• Spectrum Limitation Will Hurt Broadband Growth - CEOs, Wash Tech 1/24/02
• Amtrak Debuts Wireless Internet Service, Internet News 1/24/02
• IEEE Sets Next-generation 802.11 Standard, INews 11/16/01
• Is 802.11 Out Of Luck?, INews 11/15/01
• Indian firm launches latest WAP-based systems, India Times 10/5/01
• Goldman Sachs: No Thrill In 3G, Allnet 10/1/01
• Japan's DoCoMo launches new speedy phones, IndiaTimes 10/1/01
• FCC Withdraws Approval For Handhelds, News 09/01/01
• EarthLink gears up for wireless Web, CNET 8/22/01
• Survey: Wireless Development Increasing, INews 8/22/01
• 3G Migration A Headache For Operators, ITWorld 8/22/01
• EarthLink Takes Steps to Prepare for Wireless Web, Reuters 8/22/01
• Wireless Streaming Meanders, Red Herring 7/19/01
• The FCC's Stance On M-Commerce, M Comm Times 7/6/01
• New high-speed Net services from space, CNET 6/25/01
• Don't Be Mistaken: WAP Is Back, Standard 6/25/01
• FCC: Wireless competition thriving, USAToday 6/21/01
• AT&T Sets Date for Wireless Spin-Off, InternetNews 6/8/01
• Iridium finds second calling in global Net service, USAToday 6/6/01
• When wireless turns sluggish, CNET 06/01/01
• Report: 16 million U.S. homes have high-speed web access, Nando 5/16/01
• Broadband's Next Wave: Wireless?, BW 5/18/01
• NSF Award Recognizes Wireless Pioneer, NSF 4/25/01
• Same broadband game, mnus wires, CNET 4/14/01
• Where's The Wireless Web?, WashPost 3/30/01
• Pentagon can't share wireless air, CNET 3/30/01
• Wireless - Is That All There Is?, Standard 3/23/01
• Wireless Web Slowly Luring WAP Users, SFC 3/19/01
• Take A Walk On A Wap Site, SFC 3/19/01
• WAP Consortium Loses Leader, Wired 3/19/01
• Combating WAP's Bad Rap, Wired 3/19/01
• Wireless Show Taken Over By Computer Guys, AP 3/21/01
• Wireless Web Looks For A Lift, Cyberatlas 3/16/01
• Fixed Wireless Internet Access, Forbes 2/26/01
• Wireless Net So Far Wowless, USAToday 2/26/01
• Wireless networking wars hit speed bump, CNET 2/26/01
• WAP To Support Java, InternetNews 2/23/01
• Survey: Wireless Web A Great Idea--Some Day, Newsbytes 2/23/01
• Web Phones: For The Elite Few?, Wired 2/23/01
• Profiling The US Wireless Internet User, EMarketer 2/12/01
• Wireless: Pushing Buttons, EMarketer 2/12/01
• Wireless Access Devices Look Toward 2001, Cyberatlas 2/16/01
• Bluetooth Readies For Its Close-Up, Industry Standard 2/5/01
• I-mode Whips WAP Dec 1, 2000 internetnews
• Bluetooth Comes To Your Notebook Nov 15, 2000 wired
• FCC allocates spectrum for wireless services Oct 12, 2000 mercurycenter
• Wireless Connectivity Market Options Abound Oct 2, 2000 techweb
• Bluetooth Getting Long In The Tooth Oct 2, 2000 nypost
• Goodlatte And Boucher Urge Action To Accelerate High Speed Wireless Internet Access 9/11
• FCC delays spectrum auction, allows more bidders Aug 25, 2000 cnet
• Broadband Wireless Market Picks Up Aug 25, 2000 forbes
• Fixed Wireless To Fill Your Broadband Needs? ZDNet Aug 9
• Wireless Broadband Consortium Constructed July 14, 2000 internetnews
• Waiting For The Wireless Internet July 7, 2000 zdnet
• AOL Debuts Service Via Sprint Wireless Web Excite 6/15
• FCC Seeks to Clear Airwaves for Broadband The Industry Standard 6/23
• Fixed wireless operators oppose cruise ship Internet Computer World 5/31
• FCC Considers New Wireless Technology to Open Broadband Internet Access InternetNews 5/15
• AT&T Wireless Debuts Free Wireless Internet InternetNews 5/19
• AIR2LAN Inaugurates High-Speed Wireless Services Internet News 5/19
• Get Ready For Fixed Wireless Access Yahoo 4/19
• MCI WorldCom Plans Wireless Test: System Touted as Alternative High-Speed Internet Linkup WashingtonPost 3/31

Cisco Systems revamps wireless strategy C|NET 3/21
• AT&T's "Project Angel" spreads its wings C|NET 3/23
• Mobile IP Not Yet Ready For Prime Time - Ovum Report 3/16 Newsbytes
• IBM Digs Deeper into Wireless E-Commerce  Ecommerce Times 3/14
• AT&T offers flat-rate wireless data for $14.99/month Computer World 3/14
• Surfing by cell phone: ready, set, wait. PCWorld 3/14
• Wireless Internet: Still Ahead of Its Time The Industry Standard 2/29
• AOL Inks Deal with 6 wireless players Computer World 2/29
• America Online gets the message: go wireless CNN 2/28
• AOL's High Wireless Acts Industry Standard 2/29
• Wireless Net access market growing USA Today 2/24
• Wireless Internet To Surpass PC Internet NUA 2/11
• High-Speed Access In The Sky ZDNet 2/7
• FCC chief plans push for wireless Internet, digital TV MSNBC 02/03
• Profit scabble mars wireless web future C|NET 01/25
• US West To Deliver National Wireless Net Access Newsbytes 01/28
• MCI WorldCom Says Open Access Will Rule Wireless World InternetNews 01/13/00
• FCC Opens Airwaves to Close Digital Divide Internet News 01/07/00
• High-speed broadband wireless services go nationwide  CNN 01/07/00
• The wireless world becomes useful in 2000 CNN 01/06/00
• Motorola Sees Huge Growth in Broadband Yahoo 01/06/00
• AOL signs handheld deals with Compaq, Casio NetFusion 01/06/00
• New tech could revolutionize wireless industry C|NET 12/3
• Free ISP Gets Mobile With Wireless Internet Techweb 12/3
• Wireless Net desperately seeking content providers C|NET 12/2
• Sprint, MCI to push wireless Net services C|NET 12/2
• Cisco Has New Wireless Strategy Yahoo 12/2
• Why Is Wireless Taking So Long? ECommerceTimes 12/2
• Cisco takes high-speed Net  wireless USAToday 12/2
• AOL Buys Wireless Company InternetNews 12/2
• Open Group to certify devices using Web wireless standard Computer World 11/24
• US WEST Promises to Expand Wireless Access InternetNews 11/18/99
• Networking firms shout over wireless standards C|NET 11/17/99
• Wireless Internet service for Palm enters beta Computer World 11/17/99
• Qualcomm readies new wireless Internet strategy C|NET 11/8/99
• Bell Atlantic set to enter wireless Web-access market Techserver 11/8/99
• Wait until next year for broadband wireless CNN 11/3/99
• Mobile Net access growing USA Today 10/15
• Venture Planned for Wireless Internet Link NYTimes 9/22/99
• NEXTLINK Field Tests Broadband Wireless; On Track for Extensive Deployment in 2000 Excite 9/20/99
• Nortel Networks to Supply High Speed, Broadband Wireless Network to Bell Canada International Subsidiary in Venezuela Excite 9/20/99
• IEEE wireless standard brand backed Inforworld (9/17/99)
• Phasecom Introduces DOCSIS Modem Tailored for Wireless Systems; DOCSIS Modems for Wireless Applications Reuters 9/14/99
• Wireless, Inc. Receives $1.7 Million Order From EZNET Total Access to Build a W-DSL Network in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio Reuters 9/14/99
• Adaptive Broadband Demonstrates Voice and Data Point-to-Multi Point

Wireless IP Transmission Reuters 9/13/99
• Wireless Internet Is On The Way CMPNET 9/15/99
• MCI Worldcom Plans Nationwide Wireless Net TechWeb June 23 1999
• Waking Up to Fixed Wireless, Upside June 4 1999
• AT&T Subsidiary Liberty Media Buys Wireless Company, InternetNews June 4, 1999
• Wireless To Take Great Leap Forward, Techweb June 4, 1999
• When will data change the wireless world C|NET 02/99
• Marriage of the Net, Wireless Far Off USA Today 02/99
• Steve Stroh, Sky Station, Com21, and Waverider, Boardwatch (October 1998)