A Guide to EWA Services

• Intro to EWA

• EWA Affiliates/Market Councils

• Membership Benefits

• Membership Dues

• Customer Service

• System Engineering

• Services Fees

• NetLicense 2

• Spectrum Application and Engineering Services

• Interference Mediation

Enterprise Wireless Alliance—EWA

EWA (formerly ITA and AMTA) is the national advocate and service organization for nearly 2,000 private wireless licensees. Our diverse services include representation before the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Congress; system/application engineering; electronic licensing and license data research; frequency coordination and certification; an annual private wireless conference and exposition; and publication of a newsmagazine — Private Wireless.

EWA has dedicated itself to preserving spectrum rights and access for private wireless licensees since 1953. Our advocacy for the rights of the private wireless industry and provision of unparalleled technical services has earned us the support of national and regional trade associations representing industrial activities as diverse as motion picture production, surface and underground mining, heavy construction, agriculture, taxicab and livery, and commercial airlines.

EWA is an FCC-designated Frequency Advisory Committee (FAC) for the Industrial/Business Pool, which encompasses all non-public safety radio services and includes the 25-50, 150-174, 421-430, 450-470, 470-512 MHz and 800/900 MHz bands.

Through management agreements and affiliations, EWA provides frequency coordination services on behalf of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association (TLPA, formerly ITLA), the Newspaper Association of America (NAA), the Petroleum Frequency Coordinating Committee (PFCC), and the Telephone Maintenance Frequency Advisory Committee (TELFAC).

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EWA Affiliates/Market Councils

EWA enjoys affiliations with distinct market councils that represent various interests of the private wireless industry are managed by or affiliated with EWA:

Taxicab and Livery Communications Council
The TLCC was formed in 1997 and is jointly managed by EWA and the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (formerly ITLA). The council’s purpose is to provide the taxicab and livery industry an instrument to coordinate efforts to ensure the most efficient use of private wireless spectrum and to maintain TLPA’s recognition as an FCC-certified FAC.

Membership Benefits

EWA’s primary mission is to preserve and protect our licensee members’ investments in their private wireless communications facilities, a vital production tool that facilitates the safety, productivity and profitability of their industrial operations. To fulfill this critical mission, EWA is an active and vocal participant in the FCC’s regulatory process and maintains meaningful dialogue with appropriate congressional committees and staff members.

A Board of Directors comprised of representatives from a diverse range of American industries, communications equipment manufacturers and constituent associations, governs EWA. EWA members are encouraged to take an active role in the affairs of the association and assist with regulatory and legislative initiatives by participating in the Government Affairs Committee (GAC). Members are also invited to participate in the Member Advisory Council (MAC), which offers the opportunity to comment upon proposed programs, review existing programs, share viewpoints on critical association activities, and offer recommendations on specific issues for review by the Board of Directors. For more information about GAC or MAC, call Mark Crosby at 703.528.5115.

In addition to our advocacy activities, we provide a variety of membership services that assist in the development, enhancement or expansion of private wireless radio facilities, maintenance of license records, and compliance with FCC rules. These services include:

• Discounts on system engineering, FCC research, spectrum analysis and frequency coordination services
  
• Licensing assistance
  
• A subscription to Enterprise Wireless, our quarterly magazine
  
• Access to NetLicense2
  
• Toll-free access to our professional staff – 1.800.886.4222

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Customer Service

As the primary point of contact for all inquiries regarding membership, frequency coordination, application initiation, NetLicense2, application status, interference resolution, and all other non-specific information, EWA's Customer Service department is ready to assist our members and clients. The department has at its fingertips access to all of EWA's computerized application and membership records, industry Web sites, FCC's Part 90 Rules, and FCC's ULS Web site.

The Customer Service department is open for all phone inquiries from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday at 800.886.4222. If a voice mail message is left, your call will be returned by the next business day. Please state your name and company, phone number and fax number, and any other information pertinent to your inquiry. The Customer Service department is also accessible via e-mail at customerservice@enterprisewireless.org

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System Engineering

Our system engineering services assist with the development of private wireless radio and microwave communications facilities. Our engineering services include propagation studies, 40/22 dBµ contour analyses, antenna site selection, intermodulation interference analyses, system design, antenna site management, frequency availability analyses and short-space system negotiations. Among our most frequently requested engineering services are Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT — also known as AAT), Contour Analyses and the 40/22 dBµ TN101 propagation study.

HAAT/AAT
The HAAT is a measure of an antenna site's radio coverage capability. HAAT calculations are required for all private wireless applications in the VHF band, the 220 MHz band and above 470 MHz. The average terrain evaluation above mean sea level is determined for eight radials, between two and ten miles around the antenna site. These values are averaged together to determine an average terrain figure for the antenna site. The antenna's HAAT characterizes its "view" of the surrounding area and the ability of the radio site to provide coverage in a given area.

Contour Analysis
The contour analysis is based on the Model R6602. Other models are available. Call for pricing.

40/22 dBµ TN101 Propagation Study
This kind of analysis uses a propagation model derived from National Bureau of Standards Technical Note 101 (TN101) entitled, "Transmission loss predictions for tropospheric communications circuits" (written by P. L. Rice, A. G. Longley, K. A. Norton and A. P. Barsis). Annex III of this document provides formulas that are useful for programming this kind of analysis with a computer.

Formulas calculating the losses in radio signals due to line-of-sight propagation, diffraction over a single obstacle (with or without ground reflection), and diffraction over irregular terrain have been programmed into a commercially available software package that allows for detailed analysis of radio propagation. This analysis predicts propagation over irregular terrain, through various levels of vegetation, and considers the propagation due to directional antennas.

The formulas provided in TN101 have been translated for a computer solution to portray propagation along each radial from a specific transmitter. This analysis calculates the diffraction loss over terrain obstacles between the transmitting and receiving sites and applies this loss value to the free-space field strength. The calculation is performed on 360 radials for each transmitter, spaced at one-degree increments. The losses accumulate from the various obstacles along each path.

These calculations are performed in the following manner. The first run calculates the 40 dBµ contour with a 50% time and location variability to generate the equivalent of the f(50,50) curve for the existing station. Along each radial from the transmitter, the field strength is reduced by diffraction losses over terrain obstacles using the TN101 formulas. The 40 dBµ points are connected in red in our analysis. The second calculation generates the 22 dBµ contour similarly for the proposed station, using a 10% reliability normally associated with the f(50,10) curve. The 22 dBµ contour is plotted in blue. The systems are modeled using a generic omni-directional antenna unless otherwise specified. Any additional losses are also shown.

The two stations and their contours are plotted relative to each other on the analysis. If the 22 dBµ contour of the proposed station does not overlap the 40 dBµ contour of the existing station, then a waiver of FCC Rules and Regulations may be justified.

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NetLicense2

EWA offers “NetLicense2,” a totally automated on-line system for processing private wireless FCC applications and concurrent frequency coordination certification requirements. It streamlines the process of completing and submitting the FCC Form 601 to the Association. 

• NetLicense2 may be found at www.netlicense.org.
• First time users of Netlicense2 need to contact Karin Norton, 703.797.5127, to set up a client ID, login and password. 
• Complete the on-line application data, which goes directly into EWA’s automated frequency coordination system for the selection of the best possible frequency from its database.
• At any time, you may access the Web site and check the status of your application(s).

For additional information or assistance, you may also contact Ron Franklin , Customer Service, at 703.797.5166.

• When filing an amendment or modification, the system pulls down the latest license and pending application data from the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) for a user-specified Call Sign or ULS File Number.
• Add, delete, or change data retrieved from ULS to file with the amendment or modification.

Easier to Use!

A variety of  features make the system easier to use:

• Standard-to-metric unit conversions
• County look-ups
• Ability to add comments throughout the application entry process
• Online help.

In addition to these features, the system aids users by showing only pertinent entry fields for their specific type of application and radio system, while hiding extraneous fields from view to reduce confusion.

NetLicense2 users can view the PDF format of their document at any point after they submit their application. Search functionality allows users to sift through all their archives to retrieve a user-specified application or set of applications.

You will be required to submit a $120 administrative fee via credit card at the time the application is electronically submitted to EWA. This fee will be credited to your total coordination charges. Alternatively, you may establish a credit card or draw down account with EWA. 

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Spectrum and Application Engineering Services

Frequency Coordination/Electronic Filing
As an FCC-certified Frequency Advisory Committee, EWA provides frequency selection and certification services in the 25-50, 150-174, 421-430, 450-470 and 470-512 MHz private wireless bands that have been consolidated within the Industrial/Business Pool. EWA is also certified by the FCC to conduct similar activities within the 800/900 MHz Industrial/Land Transportation Pool and the 800 MHz General Category Pool.

Applicants or their designated radio representatives may submit requests for frequency coordination to EWA's offices electronically via NetLicense2 (see Page 7) or facsimile. The key benefit to filing frequency coordination requests electronically is that licensees and radio dealers need not prepare and submit a signed FCC Form 601. Applications filed electronically by EWA with the FCC are placed in the FCC's processing queue immediately. Requests for frequency coordination and certification may also be initiated by submitting a partially or fully completed FCC Form 601 or EWA’s Licensing/Frequency Coordination Worksheet to EWA's offices by mail or courier service.

We recommend that all requests for frequency coordination requests contain sufficient administrative and technical information to identify the licensee and the scope of the system to be deployed. To facilitate the submission of critical data to EWA’s spectrum managers, the Licensing/Frequency Coordination Worksheet is provided with this information packet and on EWA’s Web site. EWA's staff will carefully review the frequency coordination request and, if necessary, contact the applicant or his representative to obtain any missing information. If requested, EWA’s staff will also perform research to complete data requirements.

All applications submitted to EWA by a third party representative (e.g., radio dealer, manufacturer’s representative; license preparation firm, law firm) to coordinate a “New” or “Modified” license(s) must include the following signed statement:

I hereby certify that the applicant is aware that I am filing this application with EWA and I have the authority to file on their behalf. Signed _______________________________

Upon completion of the frequency coordination process, EWA sends an Application Certification Notification to the party who submitted the application for frequency coordination and certification. The notification includes the FCC file number assigned to the application and a summary of the system’s technical parameters.

Frequency Coordination/FCC Fee Processing
The FCC requires that appropriate FCC filing and regulatory fees accompany all applications. EWA will complete the Fee Remittance Advice Form (FCC Form 159) and forward the form, associated fees and FCC electronic filing verification number directly to the Mellon Bank.

If requested, EWA will prepare all necessary FCC disbursements and charge the appropriate FCC and frequency coordination fees to the applicant's Visa, MasterCard or American Express account. As an alternative, the applicant may forward the FCC checks and frequency coordination fees to EWA after electronic submittal of the application to EWA. Applications will be forwarded to the FCC electronically after receipt of all appropriate fees. Please contact EWA at 703.528.5115 for more information on payment options or to establish your account.

To ensure proper handling of the license application by the FCC, it is imperative that all licensed entities and their radio representatives provide their nine-digit Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or FCC Registration Number (FRN) for inclusion with the filing. As a result of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA) enacted by Congress, the FCC is required to collect the TIN from each entity doing business with a Federal agency, including applicants for, or recipients of, a federal license or permit. For an individual, the TIN is the person’s social security number (SSN). For a non-individual, it is the IRS-issued employer identification number (EIN).

Additionally, the FCC has initiated the Commission Registration System (CORES) that requires each licensee entity to register for a 10-digit FCC Registration Number (FRN). This unique identifier will be used to identify each entity’s business dealings with the FCC. The FCC will use the FRN to determine if all of the entity’s fees have been paid. You can register for your FRN by accessing CORES through the FCC’s Home Page at www.fcc.gov. Use of the FRN became mandatory on December 3, 2001. The FCC requires that entities use the registration number with all payments to the Commission, including on applications, the payment remittance form (FCC Form 159), with regulatory fee payments, waivers, auction payments, forfeitures, and other payments and collections.

Construction Notification/Electronic Filing
Applicants filing for a “NEW” license or “MODIFICATION” of an existing license are required to notify the FCC when the system (or the modification) is constructed and placed in operation. Private wireless licensees have up to 1 year and 15 days from the issue date of the license to file a Construction Notification.

To notify the FCC that construction requirements have been met, the licensee must file FCC Form 601 (Main Form and Schedule K) no later than 15 days after the Construction Deadline date noted on the license (the 1-year anniversary of the issuance of the license). Construction Notification may be filed electronically via ULS Online Filing. (Filing a paper form is an option only for applicants applying in one of the private radio services.)

EWA can assist members/clients in electronically filing the Construction Notification with the FCC. Provide us with the licensee’s FCC Registration Number (FRN), ULS Password (if known), Tax Identification Number (TIN) and the call sign for which the notification is being filed. EWA’s fees for this service are $50 per call sign for EWA members — $60 per call sign for non-members.

If a licensee fails to construct a station, fails to construct an entire license, or fails to meet a coverage requirement AND does not file a timely request seeking an extension of time to meet the requirement, the station or license terminates automatically as of the applicable construction/coverage deadline.

If you have any questions regarding the FCC’s construction/coverage requirements, contact our Customer Service Department 1.800.886.4222, Ext. 166.

Trunked Radio System Development and
Post-refarming Strategic Planning
The FCC's refarming proceeding has created the opportunity to license both decentralized and centralized trunked radio systems in the bands below 800 MHz. EWA's staff is well acquainted with all applicable FCC Rules and Regulations and is prepared to assist both private wireless licensees and radio dealer organizations in trunked radio system deployment strategies. Activities may include spectrum availability analyses; identification of all affected incumbent licensees from whom concurrence is required (YG applications); calculating appropriate radio system service contours; and the preparation of all FCC filing forms and associated documentation, if necessary.

Private Carrier Conversions
Many radio dealer organizations are either in the process of converting, or are planning to convert, their traditional community repeater operations to private carrier system status. EWA's staff may assist in this licensing conversion by conducting customer negotiations, verifying incumbent license accuracy, and preparing all necessary FCC Forms and associated documentation, as necessary.

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Interference Mediation and Resolution

As an FCC-certified frequency advisory committee, EWA is responsible for assisting licensees to resolve post-licensing and interference conflicts. While every effort is made to recommend the best available frequency for each system, occasions inevitably arise when systems on shared spectrum are unable to co-exist, experience potentially harmful interference or encounter unlicensed operations.

EWA and the FCC's Enforcement Bureau have a Memorandum of Understanding, executed in April 1998, establishing a conflict-mediation and interference-resolution process. These procedures are designed to streamline enforcement processes and effectively resolve instances of interference within the Private Land Mobile Radio Service spectrum bands. As an FCC-certified FAC responsible for resolving post-licensing conflicts, EWA volunteered to develop and initiate this conflict-resolution system in partnership with the FCC.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 called for the protection of fair competition in the land mobile communications marketplace. By taking advantage of the resources that EWA and other FACs may provide in the resolution of compliance and interference matters, the Enforcement Bureau significantly supports the mandate of the Act through processes that serve to enhance compliance with FCC Rules and Regulations.

Licensees or their designated radio representatives may request interference resolution or compliance assistance from EWA staff members, who will execute a standard Compliance Request Report Form. Each request for assistance is assigned an administrative tracking number. Based on the information provided, EWA determines whether the basis for the complaint is educational, technical or operational in nature and addresses the inquiry through mediation and resolution recommendations.

If the parties are unable or unwilling to pursue recommended licensing or technical solutions despite all efforts at mediation, EWA submits its recommendations for resolution to the Enforcement Bureau’s Washington, DC office for action. EWA anticipates that the Bureau will respond expeditiously to our requests for assistance and will grant a presumption of accuracy to a Compliance Request Report Form filed by EWA.

Post Coordination Conflict Resolution Incident Report

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