Chalks up possible delay to ‘demand for infrastructure’ and ‘workforce shortage’
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., – Michael O’Rielly, commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission warned of possible delays to the 600 MHz spectrum auction that’s planned for 2016.
O’Rielly made the comments during the annual Personal Communications Industry Association Wireless Infrastructure Show. He tied the potential delay to the infrastructure needs spurred by the explosion of customer and enterprise data use.
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“This demand for infrastructure is completely understood, yet presents some real challenges,” he said. “Not only do we have the continued expansion of LTE by wireless providers, but facilities will have to be installed to operate AWS-3 and 600 MHz spectrum.”
O’Rielly said a major bottleneck to new spectrum deployment is a shortage of labor.
“It appears that we are entering a period when those who work on large towers, in particular, will be in great demand, and I have been told on a few occasions that the number of crews that work on tall towers may be limited,” he said.
“This workforce shortage could be exacerbated if these crews also happen to work on broadcast towers,” he continued, “because the incentive auction repacking process will be occurring simultaneously with AWS-3 and 600 MHz build out. If this skilled workforce is insufficient for the number of required jobs, work orders may get backed up. This may conflict with meeting the 39-month repacking deadline and create a domino effect for wireless facility construction. I recognize, however, that there are multiple companies involved in the broadcast tower construction business, so perhaps it is not a problem.”
O’Rielly said the FCC would take this into account when scheduling the 600 MHz auction.
“It would be helpful if you communicated with the Commission regarding the current and estimated future demands for tower construction teams for both broadcast towers and others,” he said. “We will need to take this into account as we consider the best timing for the start of the broadcast incentive auction.”
Several groups, including the Competitive Carriers Association, are actively lobbying for the FCC to stick to the 2016 timetable.
