Here's you chance to finally make your voice heard...
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CWLab is a member of the License-Exempt Alliance, a nationwide coalition of
WISPs and vendors which represents the license-exempt industry in
Washington, D.C. By virtue of the LEA?s efforts over the past year, the
license-exempt industry finally has an effective, nationally recognized
advocate who is fighting for us before the Federal Communications Commission
and other lawmakers. For example, the LEA played a major role in thwarting
a recent attempt by the satellite radio industry to impose new operational
restrictions on WISPs in the 2.4 GHz band, and is opposing an attempt by
certain 900 MHz licensees who want to restrict or eliminate WISPs from that
band entirely. The LEA is also supporting an industry effort to obtain more
spectrum in the 5 GHz band. I can testify that the money we have spent on
our LEA membership has been well worth it.
Led by the law firm of Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, the LEA and its
individual members recently had some very successful meetings with the FCC?s
staff on a wide variety of legal and policy issues affecting the
license-exempt industry. As a result, the license-exempt Broadband Wireless
industry now has an unprecedented opportunity to achieve real regulatory
reform for license-exempt services, if it is willing to make the necessary
financial and time commitments. The objectives of the project include the
following:
FINDING ADDITIONAL SPECTRUM FOR LICENSE-EXEMPT SERVICE. There are
indications that the FCC?s staff is receptive to this idea, and would
consider allocating additional license-exempt bands and/or permitting
license-exempt providers to share additional bands occupied by other
services. Of course, the LEA must continue to protect existing
license-exempt spectrum from recently intensified attacks by licensed
interests
REFORMING INDIVIDUAL PART 15 rules so that they better accommodate Broadband
Wireless services. The FCC?s staff clearly recognizes that many of the FCC?
s Part 15 rules were written for consumer devices that have little to do
with wireless broadband (particularly outdoor service), and that a rewrite
of the Part 15 rules may be necessary to promote technological development
and effectively address the current market realities. The LEA is already
identifying those rules that it believes are in most need of reform, and
further discussions with the staff will likely occur in the coming weeks.
Ultimately, the LEA?s objective here is to submit a comprehensive Part 15
rulemaking proposal to the FCC before the end of the year.
IMPROVING INFORMATION FLOW between the FCC?s staff and license-exempt
providers/vendors. Unfortunately, there remains substantial confusion
within the license-exempt industry over many Part 15 issues, due in part to
the absence of an easily accessible source of relevant FCC rulings and
policies. The LEA is currently working with the FCC?s staff to address this
problem.
LEA is well-positioned to achieve all of the above, but cannot do so without
an adequate round of initial funding from the license-exempt industry (it is
estimated that up to $50,000 will be necessary to launch the project). Of
course, the economy being what is, I know full well how difficult it is for
WISPs to fund a lobbying project of this magnitude. Hence, if you are
unable to join the LEA at this time (annual membership dues currently are
$1,000) or can?t otherwise make a substantial contribution, CWLab will give
you a $25 dollar discount on your next equipment purchase of over $500 if
you agree to contribute $25 to the LEA effort. Feel free to contact me or
our chief counsel at the firm, Bob Primosch (robert.primosch@wbklaw.com) if
you have any questions. Again, anything you could contribute would be
greatly appreciated.
-Charles
773-667-4585
cwu@cwlab.com
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