No shortage of wireless wonking this week.
On Tuesday, Chairman John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) Senate Commerce Committee will hear about antenna siting moratoria, RF and wireless taxation as local and state government officials square off with industry on federalism and preemption.
Early read: It’s a set up. Look for the locals to get rolled.
Well, maybe not. I’ve just been informed the hearing is postponed.
Revised read: Cathy Bergman and the EMR Alliance threw a wrench into the best laid plans of transgenic mice and men. A committee spokeswoman said there was a scheduling conflict. Try a zillion protest calls to McCain’s office late last week by irate RF tree huggers.
On Thursday, the committee will address McCain’s legislation to set aside 24 megahertz of TV channels 60-69 for public safety communications and to use auction proceeds from the remaining 36 megahertz to help underwrite the buildout of new radio systems for police, firefighters and emergency medical service providers.
Elsewhere, the RF bioeffects debate will get a full airing at the Electromagnetic Energy Association’s annual meeting here on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fifty years and 100 studies from now, expect the same warring factions still to be going at it.
The National Wireless Resellers Association holds its annual conference Wednesday through Saturday. The big issue on the plate: resale sunset.
… Move over broadcasters. WebCel Communications Inc. says the FCC is doling out more corporate welfare-this time to wireless local loop hopeful Associated Communications Inc.
On the FCC’s March 14 order reallocating digital electronic messaging service (DEMS) from the 18 GHz to the 24 GHz band and expanding AComm’s spectrum fourfold without payment, WebCel states, “The decision is at the very least unfair, is likely unlawful, and is at the worst an illustration of inter-agency and Wireless Bureau policy breakdown.”
Welcome to Wireless Telecom Bureau, Dan.
… A deal in the making? While all eyes are fixed on NextWave Telecom Inc. efforts to loosen foreign ownership restrictions in keeping with the WTO telecom pact, MCI Communications Inc. has been quietly working federal regulators for even more.
MCI, which hasn’t spent a dime on spectrum and is the only major long distance carrier without a serious wireless play, professes in its May 1 ex parte filing with the FCC to be acting on behalf of struggling C-block PCS licensees. Implied, as well, is that relaxing financing terms, ownership and attribution and procedures would spare the agency a huge, embarrassing disaster. And BINGO, MCI would have a wireless partner: NextWave.
