WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday took a baby step toward spectrum-management reform by asking a series of questions into the use-whether voluntary or mandatory-of receiver standards.
“The [FCC] usually focuses on transmitters in interference disputes. This, potentially, is a mistake. We must understand whether there are actions that industry and the commission can take to ensure that unreasonably fragile receivers do not undermine the efficient use of our spectrum resource. But we must also understand the costs of designing more robust receivers,” said FCC Commissioner Michael Copps.
The FCC’s notice of inquiry is the first step that could eventually lead to mandatory receiver standards, but the commission cautioned that mandatory is not its first preference.
“The [FCC] stated that it is not its intent at this time to implement a new regulatory regime that would generally subject all receivers to mandatory standards. Rather, it believes it is preferable to rely primarily on market incentives and voluntary industry programs that provide for flexibility in establishing and managing guidelines for receiver immunity, rather than formal mandatory standards incorporated into the rules,” said the FCC.
FCC Chairman Michael Powell had previewed his intentions to look at receiver standards when he spoke last year in Colorado.
“The time has come to consider an entirely new paradigm for interference protection. . There may be a clear quantitative application of what is acceptable interference for both license holders and the devices that can cause interference. Transmitters would be required to ensure that the interference level-or ‘interference temperature’-is not exceeded. Receivers would be required to tolerate an interference level,” said Powell.
As noted by Commissioner Copps, receiver standards have one big drawback. They could be costly, and long-time spectrum users, such as public safety, are often cash starved.
The receiver standards would be applicable to all bands, but the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association said they would be most helpful in the non-commercial bands like broadcasting and public safety.
“This could be an excellent opportunity to improve the spectrum efficiency of licensees who are not subject to market incentives,” said Steven Berry, CTIA vice president of governmental affairs.
