C-Band Certifications Due Today

The filing window for certifications in the 3.7 GHz – 4.2 GHz band (C-Band) closes today, May 28, 2019.  The Commission’s Public Notice on the matter requires all operators of FSS earth stations in the C-Band that are licensed or registered in the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS) to certify the accuracy of all information reflected on their license (Vol. XVI, Issue 20).  The certification must include the relevant Call Signs, file numbers, applicant or registrant name, as well as a certification statement that the information on the license is complete and correct.  

911 Location Accuracy FNPRM Comments

On May 20, 2019, the filing window closed for Comments on the FCC’s Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on 911 Location Accuracy rules.  The proceeding aims to make it easier for first responders to accurately locate individuals making a wireless 911 call from a multistory building by assisting 911 call centers in identifying the floor where the call occurs (Vol. XVI, Issue 11).  Specifically, the Fourth FNPRM proposed a vertical accuracy metric of plus or minus three meters.  Commenters largely agreed with the accuracy metric, but disagreed on how requirements for the metric should be implemented.  Wireless carriers generally raised concerns about requirements for technology, and some questioned whether technology exists to meet the Commission’s accuracy standards. 

LIFT America Act Broadband Funding

On May 15, 2019, all Democrat Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s (LIFT) America Act, which funds a variety of infrastructure projects.  The bill promotes broadband infrastructure by providing $40 billion for deployment to expand access to broadband, $12 billion in grants for NG 911 deployment, and $5 billion in low interest loans to finance broadband projects.  On May 22, 2019, the Committee held a hearing to discuss the bill.  Members agreed funding is needed, but many called for more accurate broadband mapping to more efficiently allocate limited funding.  Former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn testified at the hearing, agreeing that maps need to be updated and stating that the FCC must complete its proceeding to update Form 477 to more accurately gather broadband data.  

FCC Proposes $20,000 Fine for Interfering with FAA Weather Radar

The Commission issued a Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) proposing a fine of $20,000 against Caribbean Network Solutions, Inc.  The NAL states that Caribbean Network was “operating two Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices without a license, in a manner inconsistent with the Commission’s rules.”  The operations caused interference to an FAA terminal doppler weather radar station in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The FAA uses terminal doppler weather radar to detect dangerous weather conditions near airports.  The NAL states that Caribbean Network was willfully violating the Commission’s rules.