FCC

2008 Year in Review: Sprint, Clearwire finally tie the knot; WiMAX loses darling designation

Lynnette Luna — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:06:22 -0500

After trying to get a deal done since early 2007, Sprint and Clearwire finally hammered out an agreement in mid-2008, this one calling for Sprint's WiMAX business to combine with Clearwire with the help of a $3.2 billion investment by Intel, Google, Time Warner, Comcast, Bright House Networks and Trilogy Equity Partners. After some drama along the way, including opposition from AT&T and a lawsuit from iPCS, the FCC unanimously approved the merger of the two businesses, saying the combination would spur competition in the mobile broadband market and accelerate the buildout of advanced technology.

Still, along the way, mobile WiMAX struggled to be the industry darling. The momentum of LTE (Long Term Evolution) has a lot to do with that. Mobile WiMAX was always supposed to have a head start over LTE, but some are warning that advantage might no longer be an advantage. LTE is expected to be a fully ratified standard by the beginning of 2009 with deployments slated to occur in late 2009 or early 2010. Meanwhile, Nortel and Lucent said this year they were emphasizing WiMAX less and LTE more as the world's major operators move that way.

The bottom line: The new Clearwire has a lot to prove in 2009. Some of the pricing plans that have emerged so far in Baltimore are quite compelling because they allow the operator to attack DSL/cable access, existing mobile broadband services and WiFi hotspots with prices we have yet to see in the market. Moreover, we have yet to see what the cable operator plans are for WiMAX.

New FCC likely will take up free broadband wireless plan

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:20:27 -0500

It looks like a new FCC will be taking up the issue of a free wireless broadband plan in the AWS-3 band after FCC Chairman Kevin Martin canceled the FCC's Dec. 18 meeting where the vote was expected to happen.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-West Va., and Rep. Henry Waxman, D.-Calif., who will chair the committees overseeing the FCC in the next Congress, sent a letter asking Martin to hold off on the vote. The two asked Martin and the FCC to instead focus more on the complex issues associated with the digital TV transition that will take place Feb. 19.

The free wireless Internet proposal, heavily favored by Martin, would create a nationwide license in the 2155-2180 MHz band and require the winning bidder to open up 25 percent of its network for free broadband access with a filter to keep pornography off of it. M2Z Networks has lobbied for these rules for two years, while T-Mobile USA was working hard at the FCC to change the proposed rules to mitigate potential harmful interference between the AWS-3 band and the some $4 billion worth of spectrum it owns in the AWS-1 band.

"It would be counter-productive for the FCC to consider unrelated items, especially complex and controversial items that the new Congress and new Administration will have an interest in reviewing," Rockefeller and Waxman said in the letter.

The FCC decided to cancel the meeting as it faces continual pressure to hold off on voting on the issue. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez last week expressed the White House's displeasure with the plan. The Bush administration opposes the strings the FCC is attaching to the spectrum, mainly the requirement that the winning bidder must offer part of the network for free.

"We received the letter from Senator Rockefeller and Congressman Waxman today and spoke with other offices," said FCC spokesman Robert Kenny on Friday. "In light of the letter, it does not appear that there is consensus to move forward and the agenda meeting has been canceled."

M2Z said the vote constitutes a violation of statutory deadlines and a violation of the Communications Act. The company cited an October letter from Rep. Hilda Solis, D.-Calif., and a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, to Martin that says action on AWS-3 technically should have been taken by Sept. 6 because of deadline provisions in the Communications Act.

For more:
- check out the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)
- see this post on the Rockefeller-Waxman letter
- see the Solis letter here

Related articles:
White House opposes FCC plan on AWS-3
Interference, competition and more musings over proposed free wireless broadband plan

FCC to vote on AWS-3, may table D-block reauction

Lynnette Luna — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:03:31 -0500

The FCC will consider a Dec. 18 vote on the AWS-3 auction, which stipulates a nationwide wireless broadband network that offers a portion of service for free and filters out pornography. Chairman Kevin Martin said part of the plan considered would be to make that spectrum available for unlicensed use if the winner bidder fails to meet certain buildout deadlines.

"I think it's important for the commission to try to move forward to make maximum use of spectrum and provide an opportunity for additional broadband service," Martin was quoted as saying in RCR News.

Martin has for some time pushed for a nationwide license in the 2155-2180 MHz band that would require the winning bidder to open up 25 percent of its network for free broadband access. T-Mobile, which owns a substantial number of licenses in the adjacent AWS-1, opposes the FCC's plan over interference concerns.

Meanwhile, it appears rules for the 700 MHz D-block reauction won't be considered during the Dec. 18 meeting, according to a report in Urgent Communications. In September, the FCC adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking concerning the D-block auction, but the public-safety community and commercial operator community appear to be divisive on the issue.

On Sept. 25, the FCC adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking addressing the D block, but a subsequent comment period revealed increasing divisiveness within the public-safety and commercial camps that eventually would need to reach an agreement to make the public-private partnership model work.

For more:
- read RCR News
- check out Urgent Communications

Related articles:
T-Mobile fires back at M2Z ahead of AWS-3 auction
FCC Chairman looking to vote on D-block, AWS-3 auctions next month

Clearwire says it's not wedded to WiMAX

Lynnette Luna — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:45:53 -0500

Having solidified its merger with Sprint's Xohm WiMAX business and secured the $3.2 billion investment from Comcast, Time Warner, Bright House Networks, Intel and Google, Clearwire CEO Ben Wolff announced his company will go to market with WiMAX service branded "Clear" and noted that the company would also consider deploying LTE down the road.

"Mobile WiMAX and LTE have a lot in common--far more in common than either of these technologies have with today's 2G or 3G technologies," Wolff said during a conference call. "Consumers really don't care about the technology."

According to Wolff, "if it makes sense for us to do so several years from now when LTE becomes commercially available" the carrier will go in two 4G technology directions.

Clearwire also announced that Sprint's Xohm market in Baltimore will be rebranded as Clear, but the 46 pre-WiMAX networks already operating under the Clearwire brand will continue to carry that name. The assumption is they will be rebranded Clear once mobile WiMAX is ready in those markets. Clearwire also announced it will roll out commercial mobile WiMAX in Portland, Ore. early next year.

"Several additional markets are in various stages of design, development and construction," Wolff said. These include existing Sprint markets that have been under way in the planning and development stages.

"At this point one of our most important tasks is to integrate these assets with ours," Wolff said. "We intend to share more details about our network expansion plans early next year after we've had an opportunity to meet with our new board to discuss our new products."

In the meantime, he said, Clearwire will "dedicate most of our focus" to building a common back office system and deploying new markets based on common infrastructure.

For more:
- check out FierceWireless

Related articles:
Clearwire Stockholders Approve Transaction to Combine Clearwire and Sprint's 4G Mobile WiMAX Business
FCC clears Sprint-Clearwire deal to create "new" Clearwire

Verizon gets hands on 700 MHz licenses without spectrum divestiture

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:13:00 -0500

The FCC gave its final blessing to the $4.7 billion worth of licenses Verizon Wireless won at the 700 MHz auction, and it refused Google's request that the FCC impose stricter conditions when it comes to the open-access requirements that are attached to Verizon's licenses. Google petitioned the FCC in May to obtain a guarantee from Verizon Wireless promising the operator will honor its commitment to open access.

Despite now owning more than 95 megahertz of spectrum in 17 markets after winning the licenses, the FCC concluded Verizon's ownership of that much spectrum wouldn't be anti competitive. In addition, the FCC said it wouldn't count spectrum won at future auctions toward the 95-megahertz threshold.

For more:
- read RCR Wireless News

Related articles:
How much spectrum do AT&T and Verizon have?
Could the 700 MHz auction trigger spectrum caps?
Google calls out Verizon Wireless' 'open' plans

White space: Dell to make laptops; Google downright giddy

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:52:33 -0500

Dell Computer said it would introduce new laptops with integrated white-space cards capable of transmitting signals in the unlicensed white-space spectrum the FCC opened up for broadband devices last week.

Last week the FCC unanimously approved the use of white-space devices, but added some conditions under which the devices would have to operate to prevent interference. The conditions the FCC imposed includes requiring both fixed and portable devices to include spectrum sensing and geolocation capabilities as well as use an FCC database of TV signals and location of venues such as stadiums and churches that use wireless microphones. These database and geolocation capabilities would, in theory, prevent interference with broadcast TV stations and wireless microphones and ensure compliance with FCC rules.

Meanwhile, Google, which has been lobbying the FCC heavily for approval of white-space devices and applications, is downright giddy about its white-space prospects. Google Co-founder Larry Page, during a keynote session on white spaces with FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, repeatedly said he is optimistic about white-space devices and services and their ability to provide cheap wireless broadband. He predicts the majority of computers and mobile devices will have white-space capabilities within the next few years.

"We make most of our money on advertising on search, and there are a lot of times I can't easily do a Web search even with 3G or open WiFi networks," Page said. "If people can get easily connected anywhere [with white spaces], we can make 20 percent to 30 percent more money."

For more:
- read Cellular-News
- check out InformationWeek

Related articles:
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Microsoft intensifies white-space lobbying efforts
Lawmakers jump into fray over white-space
Motorola, NAB press cases before FCC white-space vote

Commission allows Globalstar to offer WiMAX

Lynnette Luna — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:45:33 -0500

The FCC has granted Globalstar's request to modify its ability to offer Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) services in the U.S., paving the way for the mobile satellite operator to deploy WiMAX to more than 500 rural communities with its spectrum lessee Open Range Communications. The ATC allows satellite operators to partner with terrestrial operators to offer services that can penetrate buildings, which is a major shortcoming to satellite services. Open Range Communications offers rural broadband services.

Globalstar and Open Range will also obtain a $267-million loan from the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Program. This financing is contingent on various FCC conditions and other governmental approvals. Globalstar said the decision will enable it and Open Range to begin adding WiMAX to Globalstar's MSS service next year. Globalstar said it plans to pursue discussions with other possible wireless partners in the US and other countries.

"Today's FCC action is an important step in closing the digital divide in America. We expect our partner to initially deploy infrastructure in more than 500 rural communities with the ability to expand the relationship over the next six years to additional markets covering 50m people or about 15% of the US population," said Jay Monroe, CEO and chairman of Globalstar.

For more:
- read this release

Related articles:
MSV, Nortel team on WiMAX

FCC unanimously approves unlicensed white-space devices

Lynnette Luna — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:49:09 -0500

The FCC voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the unlicensed use of TV white space spectrum for wireless applications and devices but added some conditions under which the devices would have to operate to prevent interference.

The white-space spectrum, which sits between airwaves licensed to TV broadcasters, has been the subject of debate with companies such as Google, Microsoft and Motorola lobbying the FCC heavily for approval, saying unlicensed use of the spectrum would unleash super WiFi networks that have greater scope than today's WiFi systems. Broadcasters and wireless microphone users such as entertainers and professional sports groups adamantly oppose its use. An FCC engineering report recently OK'd the use of white-space devices.

The conditions the FCC imposed includes requiring both fixed and portable devices to include geolocation capabilities and use an FCC database of TV signals and location of venues such as stadiums and churches that use wireless microphones. These database and geolocation capabilities would, in theory, prevent interference with broadcast TV stations and wireless microphones and ensure compliance with FCC rules.

The FCC did not approve devices that used spectrum sensing technology only, but did say that these devices could be approved at a later date if they would undergo additional certifications, including proof-of-performance tests. These tests would be public and public comment could be made on them.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has vehemently opposed the sole use of spectrum sensing technology, and with good reason. The technology has failed testing. But the association has also been filing petitions and drumming up support for public comment on the FCC's recent technical report on white space testing.

"Fortunately, today's vote is just the beginning of a fight on behalf of the 110 million households that rely on television for news, entertainment, and lifesaving emergency information," said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton in a statement. "Going forward, NAB and our allies will work with policymakers to ensure that consumers can access innovative broadband applications without jeopardizing interference-free TV."

The FCC said all white-space devices would be required to obtain individual FCC approval, and could be shut off if they interfere or are found to have manufacturing flaws. Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate dissented in part on the measure, and expressed concern that the process for dealing with potential interference issues was too vague.

For more:
- read FierceWireless

Related articles:
Microsoft intensifies white-space lobbying efforts
Lawmakers jump into fray over white-space
Motorola, NAB press cases before FCC white-space vote
FCC set to vote on white-space issue Nov. 4

FCC approves Sprint-Clearwire WiMAX combo

Lynnette Luna — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:55:14 -0500

The FCC unanimously approved the merger of Sprint Nextel's Xohm WiMAX business with Clearwire, saying the combination would spur competition in the mobile broadband market and accelerate the buildout of advanced technology.

Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate said the competitive analysis of the deal was straightforward and that the new company "could be a textbook example of the new third pipe we have been looking for."

Sprint and Clearwire Corp. announced in May that Sprint would be merging Sprint's Xohm business with Clearwire to create a new company. The new company, also called Clearwire, will have a $3.2 billion investment from Intel, Google, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Trilogy Equity Partners.

For more:
- check out FierceWireless

Related articles:
Introducing the "new" Clearwire
FCC to vote on Verizon-Alltel, Sprint-Clearwire mergers
Curious about Clearwire?
Are Kevin Martin's wireless broadband dreams in peril?

Hesse: WiMAX will reach 140M potential customers by 2010

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:35:50 -0400

Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse said he anticipates the company's WiMAX network, which is expected to be combined with Clearwire shortly, to reach 140 million potential customers by 2010. Hesse, speaking at a National Press Club luncheon last week in Washington, D.C., said he expects a combined company to obtain regulatory approval and officially combine by the end of the year. The FCC is expected to vote on the deal on Nov. 4.

He said Sprint chose WiMAX as a 4G standard because it is "available now and our customers want 4G now." He was confidentWiMAX would minimize the market penetration of LTE simply because WiMAX is coming to market first. The company has deployed WiMAX in Baltimore and plans to deploy it in Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., pending the close of the deal.

After another tough week in the financial markets, Hesse also addressed concerns about how the downturn in the economy would affect the wireless industry. He noted that the industry will likely see a decrease in enterprise subscribers as businesses lay off workers, but said that Sprint was in a good position because it was cash-flow positive.

For more:
- check out FierceWireless

Related articles:
Dan Hesse steers Sprint through choppy waters
Dan Hesse, one of the most powerful people in Wireless

T-Mobile, others file opposition to FCC's AWS-3 test results

Lynnette Luna — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:28:53 -0400

T-Mobile along with AT&T, Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, Nortel, Qualcomm, U.S. Cellular and CTIA filed comments that oppose the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology's (OET) report that use of the AWS-3 band would not pose an interference threat to to the adjacent AWS-1 band occupied by T-Mobile, AT&T and others.

The filers argue AWS-3 spectrum use would cause harmful interference to networks in the AWS-1 band and claim the OET's report was erroneous as the group used incorrect variables in modeling assumptions and made mistakes in logic regarding power levels as well as incorrect estimates of overload interference effects. The group of companies want the OET to reconsider its findings.

The FCC wants to auction the AWS-3 band on a nationwide basis and require the winning bidder to dedicate 25 percent of its network capacity to free broadband service and allow open access to third-party devices and applications. M2Z has been lobbying the FCC to move forward with the auction plan and accuses incumbents such as T-Mobile of stifling competition.

"When generally accepted engineering practices are utilized, it is clear that AWS-3 operations under the Commission's proposed technical limits will cause significant and frequent harmful interference to millions of American consumers," they wrote.

The FCC has not indicated when it will vote to move forward on the issue, but T-Mobile has said it could possibly file a lawsuit if the FCC still votes to move ahead on the plan.

For more:
- read Wireless Week

Related articles:
T-Mobile plans to file objection to FCC AWS-3 interference findings
AWS-3, white spaces clear initial hurdles but will they survive?
FCC: AWS-3 band won't interfere with T-Mobile's WCDMA network

T-Mobile plans to file objection to FCC AWS-3 interference findings

Lynnette Luna — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:23:00 -0400

T-Mobile says it has some options it can exercise in light of the FCC's conclusion that services operating in the proposed AWS-3 band can co-exist with T-Mobile's WCDMA network that uses the adjacent AWS-1 band without a significant risk of harmful interference.

T-Mobile has been the most vocal opponent of an FCC plan to auction a nationwide license in the AWS-3 band that would require the licensee to dedicate 25 percent of its network capacity to free broadband service and allow open access to third-party devices and applications. M2Z has been lobbying the FCC to move forward with the auction plan.

"We're disappointed with those results obviously. The commission takes all this time and effort and lo and behold, they come up with the exact same results they came up with in May," T-Mobile's Kathleen Ham, vice president of regulatory affairs, told Wireless Week. "Obviously the chairman made up his mind but there are four other commissioners."

Ham said T-Mobile and others against the auction, which includes CTIA, plan to file a joint letter objecting to the FCC's findings. If the commission still votes to move ahead with an auction, then the objecting parties will consider litigation, she said. Ham also noted the possibility of an issue reconsideration by new FCC commissioners under the next president.

For more:
- check out Wireless Week

Related articles:
AWS-3, white spaces clear initial hurdles but will they survive?
FCC: AWS-3 band won't interfere with T-Mobile's WCDMA network
T-Mobile asks FCC to explain AWS-3 test results
AWS-3 spectrum debate festers
T-Mobile takes M2Z to task over AWS-3 auction arguments
T-Mobile, others say tests proved interference
M2Z: T-Mobile's interference argument over AWS-3 spectrum flawed

NAB calls for comment period on FCC white-space report

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:54:03 -0400

Following the FCC's engineering report released last week that said certain unlicensed white-space devices don't pose an interference threat to broadcasters, the National Association of Broadcasters said it filed an emergency request with the commission urging the agency to follow its own standard practice and seek comment on the technical report. The NAB is been a big opponent of white-space devices, saying they pose a grave interference threat.

"... (I)t has been the Commission's practice to adopt rules based on complex data only after allowing the public an opportunity to comment on that data," the broadcasters stated. "Failure to provide adequate opportunity for public comment on information so central to the outcome of this proceeding raises serious questions about compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act."

Not only did the FCC release the report, but Chairman Kevin Martin voiced support for white-space devices. The commission is set to vote on whether to proceed with a rulemaking process on the issue Nov. 4. The report said white-space devices with geolocation and sensing technologies could be used with some conditions without interference to existing surrounding users such as television broadcasters and wireless microphones, but nixed the idea of devices that rely solely on spectrum sensing.

For more:
- read this release

FCC set to vote on white-space issue Nov. 4

Lynnette Luna — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:59:04 -0400

The FCC's Office of Engineering Technology (OET) released a report stating white-space devices with geolocation and sensing technologies could be used with some conditions without interference to existing surrounding users such as television broadcasters and wireless microphones.

At the same time, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said he was going to circulate to his fellow commissioners the OET report that lays out what standards devices looking to operate in the white spaces must meet to avoid interference with broadcasters. He's seeking a vote on the idea at the FCC's Nov. 4 meeting. Though the OET stated geolocation and sensing technologies would be adequate to avoid interference, it said devices with sensing only technology would have to undergo another round of testing within the FCC labs.

Companies like Google, Microsoft and HP have argued for unlicensed use of the white-space--the unused slivers of spectrum in the 700 MHz band between spectrum used by broadcast TV stations. Broadcasters have opposed the idea, saying it will create too much interference.

"I'm hoping to take advantage of utilizing these airwaves for broadband services to allow for unlicensed technologies and new innovations in that space," he said. "This spectrum is very conducive to broadband service ... the white spaces can be used as long as it does not interfere with broadcasters."

For more:
- read Cnet News
- check out the Washington Post

Related articles:
Could white space become the next BPL debacle?
Google steps up white-space lobbying efforts with new web site

xG Technology scores infrastructure deal for WiMAX rival technology

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:01:11 -0400

Florida startup xG Technology, which has developed a low-power, long-range broadband technology called xMAX technology, said it has obtained an infrastructure contract to deploy its technology, which it has touted as a rival to WiMAX and other broadband wireless technologies.

Treco International--backed by reclusive Swedish billionaire Johan Bohman--has agreed to act as xG Technology's exclusive infrastructure partner for U.S. deployments of the xMAX system. Treco has already placed a $75-million order for 1,000 base stations with an option for another 4000 base stations. Treco plans to rent the equipment to xG's territory partners, such as regional Internet service providers and local telecoms carriers.

xG Technology, which has popped in and out of the news over the years, touts its patented xMAX system as significantly cheaper than competitors. The technology has been certified to meet FCC radio emissions limits and sends 40 Mbps of data over 15 miles using less than 1W of power. Small independent operators will thus be able to set up cheap base stations and provide connection to the Internet for VoIP services. xG expects that its xMAX system will begin deploying next month in the southern Florida market, with other US markets to follow.

Wireless industry folks have had a see-it-to-believe-it approach to xMAX technology in the past, and xG Technology has made several announcements over the years, saying its technology would be rolled out "soon." Last year the company said VoIP service would be commercially deployed in Daytona, Fla., and six other markets after that by November 2007. What is the reality this time?

For more:
- check out this release

Related articles:
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FCC: AWS-3 band won't interfere with T-Mobile's WCDMA network

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:19:55 -0400

Much to the chagrin of T-Mobile, FCC's Office of Engineering has tentatively concluded that services operating in the proposed AWS-3 band can co-exist with T-Mobile's WCDMA network that uses the adjacent AWS-1 band "without a significant risk of harmful interference."

Last month, the FCC sent its engineers to Seattle to conduct tests to determine whether interference would be a problem between the two bands. The FCC is keen on auctioning the 2155-2180 MHz band to support a nationwide license. The commission's ambition is to require the licensee to dedicate 25 percent of its network capacity to free broadband service and allow open access to third-party devices and applications.

T-Mobile has been adamantly opposed to the plan, citing interference concerns. M2Z, which has been lobbying the FCC for years to open up the band, has been submitting filings saying T-Mobile's assertions are wrong. The FCC published the raw data from the study Sept. 12 but refrained from interpreting the results as it continues with the AWS-3 rulemaking proceeding. T-Mobile was pushing the FCC to release those results.

The FCC said it conducted the same tests conducted by Optimi Corp. on behalf of T-Mobile. The results of that study, T-Mobile said, show AWS-3 services cause harmful interference to mobile devices in the AWS-1 band. AT&T, CTIA, MetroPCS and Nokia Siemens Networks have concurred with T-Mobile that the tests proved interference.

The FCC's tentative conclusion certainly won't be the last word on the subject. T-Mobile has continually reminded the FCC that it has a legal obligation to protect AWS-1 licensees. The FCC acknowledged in its report that the FCC "has in the past adopted less stringent [out-of-band-emissions] standards under flexible service rules whereby the licensees and industry work together cooperatively to manage potential interference."

For more:
- check out the FCC's report

Related articles:
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AWS-3 spectrum debate festers
T-Mobile takes M2Z to task over AWS-3 auction arguments
T-Mobile, others say tests proved interference
M2Z: T-Mobile's interference argument over AWS-3 spectrum flawed

Intel weighs in on AWS-3 debate

Lynnette Luna — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:40:03 -0400

Intel is weighing in on what has become a highly contentious debate between M2Z and T-Mobile over the FCC's proposed AWS-3 auction that would create a 25-megahertz swath of spectrum to support a nationwide license. The chip giant wants to ensure that the FCC doesn't change the proposed interference protections that T-Mobile is fighting so hard against. Doing so, Intel argued, could have a negative impact on the deployment of WiMAX in the TDD band.

M2Z and T-Mobile have been trading barbs over the interference issue. T-Mobile claims existing interference protections are adequate for the AWS-3 band, which is adjacent to the vast amounts of AWS spectrum T-Mobile already owns. FCC engineers conducted interference tests at a Boeing facility near Seattle in early September, but have not made the results public.

Intel said in a filing that any further changes in interference limits "could have global implications in the deployment of new services using TDD technology such as WiMAX." As such, Intel agrees with M2Z that the potential instances of interference are minor for T-Mobile.

T-Mobile has submitted to the FCC a statistical analysis that concluded the "probability of call failure is greater than 60 percent for AWS-1 users with AWS-3 routers in their homes and nearly 30 percent if their neighbor is operating an AWS-3 router."

For more:
- check out RCR News

Related articles:
T-Mobile asks FCC to explain AWS-3 test results
AWS-3 spectrum debate festers
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FCC to begin AWS-3 interference tests
M2Z asks FCC to reject more AWS-3 interference tests

T-Mobile files another argument against AWS-3 services

Peggy Albright — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:25:11 -0400

T-Mobile, which has filed a flurry of documents to the FCC to bolster its position that wireless services offered in AWS-3 spectrum will adversely affect the services its customers receive on AWS-1 spectrum, has just submitted additional documentation to the commission that it says further substantiates its case. The documents, which T-Mobile shared with FierceWirelessBroadband, represent the company's second move in less than a week to persuade the FCC against proceeding with its plans to auction AWS-3 spectrum for a nationwide network. The documents are also T-Mobile's latest move against M2Z Networks, which wants to offer a nationwide service via AWS-3 spectrum.

T-Mobile's new filing, submitted on Tuesday, presents results of a network simulation and statistical analysis that was conducted by Optimi Corp. on behalf of T-Mobile. The results of the study, T-Mobile said, support the findings from recent FCC tests in Seattle confirming that AWS-3 services cause harmful interference to mobile devices in the AWS-1 band. AT&T, CTIA, MetroPCS and Nokia Siemens Networks have concurred with T-Mobile that the tests proved interference. The FCC is not providing any interpretation of those tests while it proceeds with its AWS-3 rulemaking, though it has published the raw data.

The new Optimi study, T-Mobile said, is important because it employed the same types of research methods used by two firms, ERA Technology in the UK and Alion Science and Technology in the U.S., whose research M2Z has used to support its claims that AWS-3 and AWS-1 services can coexist. Yet in its new filing, T-Mobile argues the ERA and Alion studies were limited in scope and flawed because they didn't consider some important real-world conditions. T-Mobile's more extensive study, the company said, proves interference would be real, serious, and highly likely.

M2Z has not filed responses to these two latest filings from T-Mobile.

FCC wants to wrap up its Sprint-Clearwire review

Peggy Albright — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:53:26 -0400

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin Thursday said the agency's review of the Sprint Nextel and Clearwire joint venture is one of the top-priority items it has to deal with during the remaining months of the Bush administration and that the commission's goal is to finish its work on the pending merger before the end of the year.

For Sprint and Clearwire, which have targeted a year-end close to the transaction and assured investors that the process is moving ahead on schedule, the FCC's assertion that it is determined to complete this review during the quarter will be considered positive news and an additional indication the companies should be able to meet their deadline.

Earlier this month, Clearwire CFO John Butler said the companies believed they were making good progress presenting their case to the FCC, where some cellular carriers, most notably AT&T, have opposed the deal, and he said he was optimistic the merger would be on the FCC docket soon. Comcast, which is a partner in the new Clearwire, has also promised a fourth-quarter close.

Verizon's pending acquisition of Alltel, which is also awaiting approval by the FCC, will be reviewed by year-end as well, Martin said.

Related articles:
Clearwire says Sprint deal will close soon
Comcast exec sees end of year Clearwire close

T-Mobile asks FCC to explain AWS-3 test results

Peggy Albright — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:58:17 -0400

T-Mobile is urging the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology to explain the outcome of tests it recently conducted to determine if AWS-3 services will interfere with services that run operate on AWS-1 spectrum. The tests, which FCC engineers conducted at a Boeing facility near Seattle in early September, could influence the commission's plan to auction AWS-3 spectrum for a nationwide, free wireless broadband network.

In its latest filing to the FCC, submitted on Friday, T-Mobile asked the commission to "put its tentative conclusions regarding the Boeing lab tests on the record."

The FCC published the raw data from the study Sept. 12 but refrained from interpreting the results as it continues with the AWS-3 rulemaking proceeding. T-Mobile, and its rival in this controversy, M2Z Networks, obviously are anxious about the impact the tests might have. T-Mobile opposes the AWS-3 auction because of interference concerns; it, AT&T, CTIA, MetroPCS and Nokia Siemens Networks all claimed in a Sept. 10 filing that the tests proved that interference will be a problem. M2Z, a leading proponent of the AWS-3 initiative, claimed otherwise--that the tests proved AWS-3 services would not interfere--in a Sept. 23 filing to the commission.

"We appreciate the OET's willingness to engage in testing and the fact that OET staff publicly released its data from the tests, but a full record should include the engineers' views on whether they think the tests show that the proposed rules will create harmful interference and why or why not," Thomas Sugrue, T-Mobile's vice president for government affairs, wrote to the FCC. "A reasonable comment period would give the public a chance to review those conclusions before the Commission acts in reliance on them."

T-Mobile made the request, which it shared with FierceBroadbandWireless, in its response to comments that M2Z had filed with the commission earlier last week. In the T-Mobile filing, Sugrue also said his company is willing to conduct additional FCC tests, either at the Boeing lab or a certified lab of M2Z's choosing, to confirm the validity of the original Boeing lab tests.

Related articles:
AWS-3 spectrum debate festers
T-Mobile, others say tests proved interference
FCC to begin AWS-3 interference tests
M2Z asks FCC to reject more AWS-3 interference tests