WASHINGTON-A request for additional spectrum for private wireless users is receiving considerable flack from amateur radio users.
The petition by the Land Mobile Communications Council is a ridiculous request, said Christopher Imlay, general counsel for the American Radio Relay League. “The LMCC petition was a direct shot across the amateur band,” Imlay added.
LMCC petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to allow private wireless users to gain access to more spectrum through sharing arrangements with federal government users. Part of this spectrum, in the 420-450 MHz band, is used by the Department of Defense, with amateur users as secondary users. The LMCC proposal would displace the amateur users.
The LMCC petition was put out for comment last month, and initial responses are due today.
ARRL’s opposition did not surprise representatives of LMCC, who said they expected opposition from amateur users. “Any time you talk about sharing someone’s spectrum, it brings about great amounts of angst,” said J. Sharpe Smith, spokesman for the Industrial Telecommunications Association.
The LMCC petition asks for 125 megahertz of spectrum by 2010, beginning with an immediate allocation of 15 megahertz. This spectrum would serve the needs of private wireless users that cannot be met by commercial providers. The spectrum shortage for private wireless occurred after large blocks of spectrum were auctioned for commercial use.
LMCC disputes the notion that all private wireless needs can be met by commercial providers. “There has been a prevailing school of thought that private mobile radio services needs can be fully satisfied by [commercial mobile radio service] providers. This belief is misguided … nearly all large PMRS licensees maintain contracts with CMRS providers for some of their communications needs … PMRS users own and operate complex communications systems to provide effective internal communications,” the LMCC petition said.
