As we have advocated, consolidating 800 MHz spectrum into one general category pool is sound spectrum management, benefits applicants, and saves the FCC from wasting its time on slam-dunk licensing outcomes.

So along comes the Monsey Fire District in New York that needs to expand its 800 MHz capacity by adding another 800 MHz channel pair. Unfortunately, all of the public safety allocated pool channels are gone, but there is one SMR channel that remains unassigned and that would fit Monsey’s system requirements perfectly. Keep in mind that under FCC rules all 800 MHz channels are fungible and coordinated identically based on distance and power. The only factor that makes a mess of things in this instance is that the available channel falls within the SMR pool, not the public safety, or B/ILT, or General Category pool. This forces Monsey to file a waiver of the rules, which then causes the FCC to place the waiver out on Public Notice for public comment, which is standard operating procedure. By the way, this application has been sitting at the FCC for nearly a year. I ask you, who will oppose this waiver? EWA won’t, and on May 29, EWA will file comments supporting Monsey’s waiver. The channel is available for Monsey’s use. Why make this so difficult? Let them have it! We will also use this opportunity to remind the FCC that retaining 800 MHz pools with access determined by who you are and what you do is archaic. And will someone tell me the added benefit of a Public Notice?

Note to APCO. See, EWA does not only support money grubbing non-public safety entities “who consider spectrum only as a commodity.”