Boeing Joins Calls for Air-to-Ground Delay
A principal player in air-to-ground (ATG) communications, Boeing, is asking the FCC to delay its order on the technology for a month, which would push it off the Nov. Commission agenda, sources said Tues. Nextel also has been asking the FCC to move slowly on the order and AirCell is considering asking for a delay. The Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials asked for a delay last week (CD Oct 14 p6).
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AirCell, meanwhile, is to file a revised 2-licensee proposal it worked out with Boeing at the FCC as early as today (Wed.). Tues. was “white paper day,” when orders are supposed to start circulating to the Commissioners, and an ATG order was expected to make the rounds for the Nov. agenda meeting. The Wireless Bureau sent Chmn. Powell an ATG order in Oct., but he decided not to put it on the agenda.
“This appears to be going down to the wire,” said one industry source who favors a delay. “I think there’s still a good chance this will be delayed just because the pressure is so strong.” A 2nd regulatory attorney working on this issue said of a delay: “I think it’s essential. I don’t think they're ready.”
AirCell and Verizon AirFone made counter arguments at the FCC following last week’s meeting before staff, including Office of Engineering & Technology Chief Edmond Thomas. Wireless Bureau staff previously expressed a general preference for awarding 2 exclusive licenses -- one of 2.5 MHz and a 2nd of 1.5 MHz. Also under consideration are proposals for 2 or 4 overlapping 2.5 MHz licenses. It was unclear how that recommendation may have changed following the latest series of meetings.
AirCell, which already serves the general aviation market, told the FCC in a filing that more than one company must receive a licenses in the ATG market to ensure competition. “For example, AirCell would not support an auction of just one 4 MHz ATG license, which could be bought by a single entity -- even if this one license could also be purchased by a consortium of bidders that would subdivide the license -- because there is no guarantee that the consortium would win the license.” AirCell also said it wouldn’t support just 2 licenses if they can be bought by the same entity.
AirCell said in response to a question posed during the meeting that it specifically wouldn’t support the FCC’s providing a single exclusive 3 MHz and 1 MHz license. “This approach would create the potential for just one broadband ATG licensee to emerge following an auction,” AirCell said. AirCell met Tues. with Wireless Bureau Chief John Muleta.
Verizon said the sharing approach promoted by AirCell and Boeing was “the wrong answer.” Verizon said that approach “creates significant risk of interference and impedes delivery of broadband.” The carrier argued that the sharing scheme would require “inflexible and highly prescriptive” rules that would ultimately restrict technology choices and increase the cost of providing service. Verizon also said the plan would require specialized equipment that isn’t available today.