FCC preps 1695-1710 and 1755-1780 MHz spectrum auction for next year

The FCC said today it has informed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of its plans to auction off wireless spectrum licenses in the 1695 to 1710 MHz, and the 1755 to 1780 MHz bands as early as September of next year.

The NTIA recently picked out the 1695 to 1710 MHz band of mobile spectrum to be reallocated for non-federal use.

In a statement, Commissioner Ajit Pai advocated offering up the whole range of wireless spectrum for commercial utilization.

“I continue to believe that we should aim to clear and reallocate the 1755 to 1780 MHz band rather than forcing federal users and commercial operators to undertake the complicated, untested task of spectrum sharing,” Pai said.

The 1755 to 1780 MHz band has been spied as a good pairing with the 2155 to 2180 MHz band, another slice of spectrum Congress has told the FCC to auction off by 2015 at the latest.

In September 2012, the FCC granted T-Mobile USA a special temporary authority to test mobile broadband in the 1755 to 1780 MHz band. T-Mobile indicated its belief that testing would reveal the wireless spectrum to be ripe for LTE deployment.

T-Mobile cited the AWS-3 band at 2155 to 2180 MHz as a good possible pairing solution with the 1755 to 1780 MHz band.

In other FCC news today

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has officially announced his resignation from the agency today, saying he will step down in the coming weeks.

Genachowski, a Democrat, was confirmed in June of 2009, succeeding then Republican chairman Kevin Martin. Genachowski's tenure as the FCC Chairman was a disruptive one, with the introduction of the National Broadband Plan, which included over 200 recommendations for allocating more wireless spectrum for mobile broadband.

There were also new plans proposed for a complete overhaul of the Universal Service Fund, among many other initatives, some a lot less popular than others.

During his time as chairman, Genachowski also took the lead on killing AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA, eventually forcing AT&T to withdraw its proposal alltogether.

He was head of the FCC during a four-year period that saw booming investment in wireless infrastructure as carriers raced to prepare their wireless networks for numerous LTE rollouts.

News of Genachowski's resignation comes in the wake of Commissioner Rob McDowell's announcement this week that he too is stepping down from his post to "spend more time with his family".

Genachowski began a Friday morning call with FCC staff that was broadcast on the commission's website by joking that he had called the meeting to announce that he was tied for first place in the FCC's March Madness pool.

"In March 2009, shortly before completing his own NCAA bracket on ESPN, President Obama nominated me to lead this great agency," he said, eventually moving on from the laughter to announce his impending resignation.

A Wall Street Journal report noted that Tom Wheeler, a venture capitalist and former head of the CTIA, is being considered as a possible replacement for Genachowski.

The Journal also notes that Karen Kornbluh and Lawrence Strickling are also being considered for the Chairman's job at the Commission.

Genachowski said he will help ensure a "healthy transition" to new leadership at the agency. In a statement, CTIA president and CEO Steve Largent expressed his thanks and appreciation for Genachowski’s leadership.

"Julius was instrumental in overseeing the National Broadband Plan and has been a strong voice on wireless spectrum issues and the acceleration of broadband infrastructure deployment so that consumers may continue to enjoy the benefits of the wireless ecosystem," Largent said.

"Julius recognized early on the benefits of mobile broadband and made it a U.S. priority to deliver additional, cleared spectrum to meet consumer demand and maintain U.S. global leadership. We wish him the best in his future endeavors,” added Largent.

CWTA to work closely with cities for better placement of cell towers

The lobby association that represents Canada's wireless industry says cellphone service providers will start consulting more with municipalities about improving the placement of cellphone towers in cities. The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association announces a new plan to work closely with municipalities to "find solutions to the challenge of building Canada’s digital infrastructure while respecting local land use preferences and community concerns."
Overall, more than 26 million Canadians currently own a mobile phone, and the wireless industry says that average traffic on some wireless networks is increasing at a pace of five to six percent per week.
All that wireless traffic means that mobile infrastructure is getting more and more strained, and the industry says that in order to avoid service outages, more wireless infrastructure is needed, but closer to people now than in the past.
That means that cellphone towers in cities and other populated areas, where they tend to draw complaints ranging from being an eyesore, to creating electronic interference will definetely be on the rise.
There are even some claims that they cause minor health problems. To combat the backlash, the CWTA says it has created the Joint Antenna System Siting Protocol, in which it promises "meaningful pre-consultations" with local landowners and authorities regarding the placement and shape of new cellphone towers.

The plan has the backing of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Under current rules, a cellphone company can put up a tower virtually anywhere it wants without any consulting, as long as the tower is less than 15 metres tall.
"Telecommunications carriers have agreed for the first time to notify municipalities of all antennas being installed before their construction, regardless of height, and to undertake full public consultation for towers under 15 meters — whenever deemed necessary by the municipality," the group said in a release.
"Canadians expect reliable, high-quality wireless service wherever they are," CWTA president Bernard Lord said. "By working together, communities and the industry can guarantee there is enough critical infrastructure in place to keep Canadians connected to the devices and technology they love, and keep our economy strong."