SEC Alleges Fraud against Janus Spectrum

Attorneys for the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a complaint in the US District Court of Arizona on April 6, 2015, alleging securities fraud against David Alcorn and Kent Maerki through the company they founded and managed, Janus Spectrum LLC. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Janus Spectrum “offered and sold securities purporting to raise funds to apply for FCC licenses” for 800 MHz spectrum, promising investors that their investments would yield substantial returns through the sale or lease of the licenses to major wireless carriers.  More

900 MHz PEBB

On November 26, the FCC issued a Public Notice requesting comment on the joint EWA and Pacific DataVision (PDV) Petition for Rulemaking to realign the 900 MHz band to accommodate a 3/3 MHz broadband opportunity while retaining a 2/2 MHz allocation for narrowband B/ILT and specialized mobile radio (SMR) voice and data systems. Reply Comments were filed on January 27, including a joint Reply from EWA and PDV addressing issues raised in the Comment stage.  More

Smartcomm Opposes Ketchum Filings

On March 31, Smartcomm asked the FCC to dismiss a number of applications filed by Ketchum Enterprises for new licenses in the 800 MHz Guard Band, citing irregularities, and suggesting that the new applications seek to avoid FCC license construction requirements in order to “warehouse” spectrum. The applications were filed on behalf of Janus Spectrum and TD Spectrum. In its letter, Smartcomm notes that Ketchum “has attempted this same filing sequence previously” and suggests that the frequency coordinator MRFAC/Radiosoft violated FCC rules.  More

Enforcement Bureau

There has been substantial opposition to the FCC’s proposal regarding OET resource allocation. Whether these highly vocal concerns will have an impact on the FCC’s decision remains to be seen. Emerging plans call for concentrating staff in Washington, DC and even the formation of mobile “Tiger Teams” that will be launched from Columbia, Maryland to address critical enforcement matters around the country. Watch for EWA’s take on this proposed plan in an upcoming issue of Wireless Connections.

Use of Vehicle Repeaters at 173 MHz Challenged

Representatives from American Petroleum Institute (API), Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) opposed authorizing the use of six 173 MHz telemetry channels for Vehicular Repeater Systems (VRS) via a jointly filed ex parte letter to the FCC. The letter noted interference to utilities, pipeline companies and other critical infrastructure industries (CII) would pose “unreasonable risk to public safety and operational reliability” and that other alternatives to VRS use are available.  More 

Changes in 3.65 GHz Rules Expected in April

The FCC is scheduled to adopt rules in this proceeding at its April meeting. There has been intensive lobbying in favor of optimizing the use of this band for unlicensed devices so it is unclear whether the protection EWA sought for the adjacent 3650-3700 MHz band (in comments filed in Sept. 2014), used extensively by CII and other Part 90 licensees, will be considered adequate by those licensees.

... EWA Interference Mitigation Efforts

Making It Work in Miami

An educational facility located in Miami, Florida started experiencing interference on one of their licensed frequencies, which made it difficult to conduct business. EWA was contacted to identify licensees using the same frequency in the area as the possible source of the interference. Several users were located within 10 miles using analog and digital technology. The facility decided to meet internally to decide whether to pursue the interference issue or to simply change their frequency.

Verify Emission Designators

EWA received a call from a radio dealer in Illinois requesting information regarding emission designators. They had been contacted by another radio dealer in the area who indicated one of his customers, a school district, was experiencing digital signals on their licensed frequency. The school contacted the FCC with the complaint, and claims the FCC identified the source of the interference as another school using the same frequency located nineteen miles away. A technician was sent to the identified school to ensure they were operating within the parameters of their FCC license. It was discovered that the school’s license reported permission to transmit digital voice, but not digital data. EWA filed the required license modification to add the proper emission designator to the school’s license.

Read more Keeping the Peace articles here

Register today for the 2015 Wireless Leadership Summit, October 7-9, 2015 at the W Atlanta-Midtown Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. This annual event is co-hosted by EWA and TRNI (formerly USMSS) and features two days of exhibits, educational sessions, networking events, annual EWA and TRNI meetings, and Fall meetings for the EDMSS, GLMSS, SEMSS and WMSPA regional groups. Learn more

Visit EWA at these other upcoming events:

2015 EDMSSA Spring Meeting
April 29 - May 1, 2015
Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA
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WMSPA Annual Meeting
May 6-8, 2015
Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Learn more

CPRA Chapter Meeting
June 18, 2015
Santa Barbara, CA
Presenter: Mark Crosby on "Spectrum Issues"

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The Spectrum You Want. You're in Control

Get ready for the frequency coordination evolution!

Look for Cevo™ to come soon…your new tool for frequency coordination and licensing, bringing you fast, easy coordination results and the ability to select your own frequencies, anytime, anywhere, on any device. Upcoming training webinars on the use of Cevo will be announced soon.  Learn more