Today:  FCC Inquiry on Mid Band Spectrum, Maine Will Participate in FirstNet,  Wisconsin Broadband Grants 

FCC Inquiry On Mid-Band Spectrum

The FCC opened an inquiry seeking comment on potential opportunities for next-generation wireless broadband services using spectrum bands between 3.7 and 24 GHz.  The FCC seeks comment on three specific mid-range bands (3.7-4.2 GHz, 5.925-6.425 GHz, and 6.425-7.125 GHz), and asks commenters to identify other non-federal mid-band frequencies that may be suitable for expanded flexible use.  Among other things, the FCC asks how it can provide for flexible use of these bands to allow the introduction of additional fixed and mobile wireless services, how it can protect existing services against harmful interference, and the authorization mechanism that should be used (e.g., exclusive use, non-exclusive use, and unlicensed use).

Maine Will Participate In FirstNet

Governor Paul R. LePage signed a letter indicating his decision to have Maine participate in the national FirstNet project.  The Maine Interoperable Communications Committee (MICC), an advisory panel made up of representatives from first responder agencies at the state, county and local levels, met with federal FirstNet representatives and its vendor, AT&T, on two occasions to review the draft FirstNet plan for Maine and to make suggestions for how the plan should be improved.  The federal FirstNet team responded by significantly increasing proposed coverage in Maine.  Outreach efforts are now under way in Maine to inform first responders and other public safety stakeholders on the FirstNetME initiative and to gather information on their specific communications challenges, coverage needs, and user requirements.  This information will provide key inputs into the network design.  Click here to read more.

Wisconsin Broadband Grants

Wisconsin Governor Walker and the PSC announced $1.5 million in broadband expansion grants:  a $99,000 grant for Amery Telcom, Inc. and a $41,914 grant for GogebicRange.net.  Amery provides DSL, cable modem, and dial-up internet service to more than 5,500 customers.  The grant allows them to expand their service to southwest Barron County, where there is currently no broadband service, by building a fiber route along the rural roads for a fiber-to-home network.  GogebicRange.net’s grant will be utilized to install wireless equipment on three existing telecommunications towers in northern Iron County.  The towers are located in Hurley, and the towns of Anderson and Saxon.  All three towers will provide shared-bandwidth and fixed broadband services directly to residences and businesses in the area and is expected to reach approximately 2,293 households and 30 businesses. 

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The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Briefing.