Howard Buskirk

Verizon Gen. Counsel William Barr, a former U.S. attorney general, warned in a letter to the FCC late Mon. that commissioners could open themselves to criminal prosecution if they sided with Nextel on its 800 MHz rebanding plan. The letter also argued that the FCC has no legal authority to expend federal dollars to support the relocation costs of public safety agencies or companies like Nextel.

The next focus of scientists examining the health effects of radiation frequency (RF) emissions across the world is likely to be the effects of such emerging technologies as Wi-Fi and radio frequency identification (RFID), according to speakers Mon. at an international workshop in Washington on mobile telephony and health.

CTIA Pres. Steve Largent expects major carriers to look to Capitol Hill for support in changing the rules for Auction 58, scheduled for Jan., which set aside a majority of licenses that will be auctioned for purchase by smaller carriers considered to be designated entities (DEs). Largent said members of Congress are “protective” of the revenue from spectrum auctions, but it appears unlikely the FCC will reverse course. “It’s just a dumb provision,” Largent said. “There are numerous ways that are apparent to everybody that people work around the DE [requirements]. What’s the point?” Asked about the FCC changing the rules, FCC Comr. Abernathy noted Thurs. that the Wireless Bureau has supported providing some licenses to just DEs. “I know it’s the rules the bureau wants to use,” she said. “Some of the large players wish there were fewer designated entities, but as of right now I'm unaware of any proceeding that would change that.”

The Administration’s spectrum management plans, unveiled late Thurs. following a speech by President Bush at the Commerce Dept., received mixed reviews. The Administration made 24 proposals for improving the management of spectrum policy, including a govt. testbed (CD June 25 p5), the proposal getting the most attention. Critics suggested Fri. that the reports are heavy on process, but on their own will do little of significance.

CTIA and other wireless carriers launched a massive, last minute offensive Thurs. aimed at turning around the FCC’s expected decision to give Nextel 10 MHz of spectrum at 1.9 GHz. CTIA said in a filing that NextWave auction reserve prices confirm that giving Nextel 1.9 GHz as part of a rebanding scheme would constitute a “massive giveaway.” Meanwhile, an alternate public safety group held a press conference to denounce the plan.

In his most comprehensive remarks so far on broadband and telecom issues, President Bush told a packed auditorium of public officials at the Commerce Dept. he views broadband rollout, including broadband over powerlines (BPL), more efficient use of the spectrum and wireless broadband, as key building blocks of the U.S. economy.

The FCC is signaling to opposing carriers that Chmn. Powell has decided to side with Nextel and support its version of an 800 MHz rebanding plan, resulting in majority support for the plan. Powell hopes to release an order next week, before the 4th of July holiday. The decision would be a major victory for Nextel, which has been locked in a sometimes bitter fight with other carriers over the plan.

NTIA is expected to give President Bush today (Thurs.) long-awaited reports on the Administration’s spectrum initiative. One report will take a comprehensive look at govt. management of spectrum, with a focus on efficiency and current uses. The 2nd is to focus on private sector issues, we're told.

Z-Tel, a CLEC with the one of the biggest national footprints, said Tues. it was suspending retail operations in 8 states as a result of the decision of the Administration not to pursue an appeal of the Triennial Review Order. Sources said other CLECs may be poised to take similar steps in the coming weeks, as they reassess their business plans as the unbundled network element platform (UNE-P) is eventually phased out. MCI, in particular, is rumored to be prepared to drop out of the consumer market, though sources said no decisions have been made.

Major wireless carriers were considering their options Tues. and are expected to ask the FCC to reconsider in one form or another its public notice late Fri. setting up the rules for Auction 58 next year (CD June 22 p3). The carriers hope ultimately to tweak the rules so far fewer of the licenses will be available just to designated entities (DEs). DEs and major wireless carriers, meanwhile, are likely to go to Congress seeking support.