WCA applauds 2.5 GHz ruling

The wireless broadband industry said a new ruling should help promote deployment of high-speed Internet services – commercial and educational – in the 2.5 GHz band, but flagged lingering problems in use of the frequency band in the Gulf of Mexico region.
“WCA thanks the commission for heeding industry’s call for prompt action to fully license the 2.5 GHz band. The adoption of final rules to govern the re-auctioning of available broadband radio service geographic licenses – coupled with the commission solicitation of comments on how best to license the educational broadband service ‘white space’ – will promote the deployment of wireless broadband services to the American public,” said Andrew Kreig, president of the Wireless Communications Association International.
Still, WCA said it remains concerned about possible disruption to 2.5 GHz wireless broadband service available to scores of residents and businesses n areas adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico.
“The oil and gas industry has ample spectrum, much of it today unused, that can be employed to meet its communications needs, and there is no compelling reason for the commission to be jeopardizing land-based wireless broadband service,” Kreig stated. “WCA had proposed rules that would have permitted operations in the Gulf, without jeopardizing land-based services. The commission’s failure to adopt those rules is disappointing. WCA regrets also that the commission has not taken additional steps to assure that BRS channel 1 licensees, who are being involuntarily relocated from their current spectrum at 2.1 GHz, are protected against interference from other services when they are moved to the 2.5 GHz band.”