The Federal Communications Commission proposed auction licensing and service rules for the 4.9 GHz band. The agency proposed to allocate the band for fixed and mobile services on a primary basis. Public comment is being sought on the geographic areas and spectrum blocks that should be used to license the spectrum.
The FCC will hold a seminar this fall to help American Indian Tribal Leaders and others bring increased telecom services to tribal residents. The date and location for the meeting will be announced at a later date. Call (888) 225-5322 for more information.
A coalition of 13 companies is urging the FCC to postpone the auction of licenses for the 39 GHz band which is scheduled to start on April 12 because the spectrum is either encumbered or part of an ongoing federal appeals case.
The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has approved the transfer of nine F-block personal communications services licenses from Alpine PCS to Alpine Hyannis for the Hyannis, Mass., basic trading area; to Alpine-Calif. for the Bakersfield and Salinas, Calif., BTAs; to Alpine-Mich. for the Alpena, Escanaba, Petoskey, Saginaw and Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., BTAs; and from American Wireless to Pinnacle Telecom for the Vicksburg, Miss., BTA.
The American Electronic Association urged Congress to appoint conferees to the conference committee on digital signature legislation. The bill would establish certainty in online contracting by recognizing the validity and enforceability of electronic records and signatures for online vendors.
Government programs to close the digital divide-the difference between those who have and those who do not have access to the Information Superhighway-would be popular according to a survey sponsored by National Public Radio, the Kaiser Foundation and Harvard University. The survey said 78 percent of Americans favor programs to help low-income children bridge the divide. The number lowers to 57 percent of Americans who believe government should help low-income adults get computers and Internet access.
