Outreach News - 12/8/2010

1. Federal Register page75814, December 6, 2010.

Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This document finalizes rules to make the unused spectrum in the TV bands available for unlicensed broadband wireless devices. This particular spectrum has excellent propagation characteristics that allow signals to reach farther and penetrate walls and other structures. Access to this spectrum could enable more powerful public Internet connections—super Wi-Fi hot spots—with extended range, fewer dead spots, and improved individual speeds as a result of reduced congestion on existing networks. This type of ‘‘opportunistic use’’ of spectrum has great potential for enabling access to other spectrum bands and improving spectrum efficiency. The Commission’s actions here are expected to spur investment and innovation in applications and devices that will be used not only in the TV band but eventually in other frequency bands as well.

DATES: Effective January 5, 2011
except for amendments to §§ 15.713, 15.714, 15.715 and 15.717, which contain information collection requirements that are not effective until approved by the Office of Management and Budget. The Commission will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective dates for those amendments.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON REGION 37 (SOUTH CAROLINA) 700 MHZ REGIONAL PLAN. (DA No. 10-2322). (Dkt No 02-378 ). Comments Due: 12/28/2010. Reply Comments Due: 01/07/2011. PSHSB
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-2322A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-2322A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-2322A1.txt

Status Report of 700 MHz Regional Plans is attached.

3. Please see http://urgentcomm.com/policy_and_law/commentary/public-safety-spectral-flexibility-unwanted-20101207/ for an article related to the FCC 700 MHz narrowband channel flexibility Public Notice.

4. The major organization advocating the auction of the D Block was known as the 4G Coalition. As you will note in the attached, the 4G Coalition has changed their name to Connect Public Safety Now (“CPSN”).

5. Click here to read continued activity by carriers seeking the D Block spectrum.