The Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) urged the FCC to take one last step to maximize the use of 800 MHz spectrum. The EWA wants the agency to open a filing window to begin accepting applications for 800 MHz 12.5 kHz bandwidth channels. It says now’s the time since the re-banding process in the 800 MHz band is finally complete and the remaining application “freezes” have been terminated.
The EWA is an FCC-certified frequency advisory committee and advocates for business enterprises, private carrier operators, wireless sales and service organizations and private wireless equipment vendors. The lobbying group provides spectrum acquisition strategies, frequency coordination, license preparation, license management and associated reporting services.
The Commission terminated the 800 MHz rebanding program in April, Inside Towers reported. That followed the 800 MHz Transition Administrator filing a report stating that nearly all licensees in the band had completed reconfiguration of their systems.
The rules are in place to license systems on those channels, the EWA told the Commission. The FCC-certified Frequency Advisory Committees that coordinate 800 MHz spectrum have determined that “no special coordination process will be required to handle these applications, because it is not anticipated that they will be geographically concentrated,” says the EWA in a filing.
It notes the FCC already said it would begin accepting applications for 800 MHz 25 kHz bandwidth channels on August 14. The EWA urged the agency to open an application window as soon as possible after that date. It noted the 800 MHz 12.5 kHz channels represent an important opportunity for the private land mobile radio community to make “more intensive use of this limited resource.”
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