New FCC Member Favors Fixed Wireless Over 3G
By IDG
biz.yahoo.com
BOSTON - Newly-appointed U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) member Kathleen Abernathy said she is "extremely hesitant" to take away spectrum already allocated to fixed-wireless broadband access providers in order to offer licenses for 3G (third-generation) services.
Abernathy outlined her thoughts for the future of the highly sought-after spectrum in the 2.5GHz to 2.7GHz band during a keynote speech at the Wireless Communications Association International (WCAI) annual convention, here at Boston's World Trade Center on Monday.
Her pronouncement was viewed as a sign of impending victory for fixed wireless carriers hoping to stave off demands for more spectrum from mobile wireless providers.
"I am extremely encouraged by Commissioner Abernathy's remarks," said J. Curtis Henderson, senior vice president and general counsel for fixed-wireless provider Nucentrix Broadband Networks Inc. The FCC needs to respect property rights and needs to let the market act to solve problems, and Abernathy's remarks reflect it intends to do that, he said.
Mobile wireless providers are seeking 160Mhz of spectrum in the 2.5GHz to 2.7GHz range for 3G services. Fixed wireless providers have licenses for much of that part of the spectrum. If the fixed wireless spectrum comes off the table for 3G services, providers will have to look at bands currently used by the military and by religious and educational television.
While FCC white papers and staffers have opposed handing 3G service providers the spoken-for spectrum, this is the first public comment by a commissioner indicating the view, said Andrew T. Kreig, WCAI president.
"It's a strong sign for increasing FCC support," for the wireless broadband industry, he said, expressing surprise at Abernathy's statement.
The new commissioner described the principles she intends to apply to regulation during her five-year appointment. Taking the libertarian position espoused most stridently by FCC Chairman Michael Powell, she called for an agenda set by Congress, clear and enforceable rules and a humble, service-oriented, largely hands-off attitude to regulation.
"I will always prefer a private industry solution to a government solution," she said. The market is "an essential component of my regulatory approach."
"The wireless industry is the least regulated," of the various broadband telecommunication technologies like digital subscriber lines (DSL) or cable Internet access " ... and it should be." She pledged to strip away legacy regulations on phone and cable services.
Abernathy was sworn in May 31 as an FCC commissioner.
Abernathy previously served as vice president for public policy at voice and data services provider Broadband Office Inc., a fast-growing venture-backed Silicon Valley startup which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the same month she joined the FCC.
The experience of working "for a company that didn't survive the downward trend" will help guide her hand in decision making, she said.
With fellow Republicans Powell and Kevin Martin, Abernathy's appointment forms a majority of Republicans on the five-person board. Fellow commissioner Gloria Tristani is a Democrat, as is incoming commissioner Michael Copps. Tristani has said she plans to resign at the end of the year.
Information on the FCC can be accessed at fcc.gov.
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