FCC Adopts 3.5 GHz Band NPRM

Last week, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to further revise its Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) rules, which include the 3.65 GHz band.  Among other things, the FCC has proposed extending the license term for Priority Access Licenses (PAL), creating a license renewal expectancy for PALs, authorizing the agency to auction a PAL in an area even if there is only a single bidder, and increasing the geographic area covered by PALs.  The proposed changes are not without controversy: FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel issued a dissent, arguing that proposals were “short-sighted,” and “impeding real progress.”  Comments and Reply Comments will be due after the item is published in the Federal Register, which should occur in the next few weeks.

Draft Pole Attachment Orders

Last week, the FCC announced its agenda for the agency’s November Open Meeting.  As part of this, the Commission released the texts of two draft orders affecting pole attachments.  One is in the Wireline Infrastructure proceeding and resolves three minor issues and tees up further discussion of overlashing and service drop attachments.  The other removes certain pole replacements from historic preservation review. 

911 Reliability Certification Deadline

The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau extended the deadline for Covered 911 Service Providers to certify compliance with the agency’s 911 Reliability Rules from October 15^th to today, October 30^th.  The rules require entities that provide routing, ALI or ANI services directly to a Public Safety Answering Point to certify annually that they have complied with FCC rules to promote reliability by ensuring (i) diversity in critical 911 circuits, (ii) adequate backup power in certain central offices, and (iii) they can diversely monitor their 911 network. 

Spectrum Frontiers Proceeding

At the November Open Meeting, the agency will consider a Second Report and Order in its Spectrum Frontiers proceeding.  If adopted, it would introduce an additional 1,700 MHz of spectrum in bands above 24 GHz for flexible terrestrial use.

Agenda Released for 800 MHz Band Forum

The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB), Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB), and the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) released an agenda for a public forum to discuss the coexistence of commercial wireless service licenses and public safety licenses in the 800 MHz band.  The forum will take place at the FCC’s headquarters on Monday, November 6, 2017.  It will include panel discussions about how 800 MHz rebanding has helped alleviate interference and ways to improve coexistence among wireless carriers and public safety entities.