An 800 MHz Overhaul... Long Overdue

October 26, 2022

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) filed a Petition for Rulemaking (PRM) today requesting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to modify Part 90 Subpart S rules to eliminate the assignment of frequencies within the 809-816/854-861 MHz portion of the band (“800 MHz Band Segment”) to specific “pools” of eligible entities. (In the southeastern United States and Atlanta, Georgia, the applicable range is 809-813.5/854-858.5 MHz.)  Despite being subject to identical technical and operational rules, frequencies are assigned to either the Public Safety Pool, the Business/Industrial/Land Transportation (B/ILT) Pool, the Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) Category, or the General Category.  EWA recommended that the optimum policy would be to classify all frequencies as General Category and make them available to all qualified applicants. EWA also requested the FCC to terminate the rule reserving so-called “Sprint-Vacated” spectrum for use by certain classes of entities so those frequencies can be placed into productive use as demand dictates without further delay. 

Arguments supporting the Petition include:

  • It is consistent with the Commission’s general policy of promoting flexibility in its licensing processes and its preference for modifying outdated rules rather than relying on waiver relief. 
  • The Pool allocations were never intended as a permanent approach. The FCC stated (circa 1982) that it is “our predisposition now to have all of the barriers disappear after three years. However, this is a situation which will require monitoring between now and 1985.” That re-evaluation did not occur in 1985 or in any subsequent year. 
  • All licenses are subject to the same power, antenna height, out-of-band emission, and distance separation rules irrespective of whether the licensee is a Public Safety entity, a utility, an airline, or a commercial SMR operator. 
  •  The requirements for obtaining access to vacant “out-of-pool” frequencies are cumbersome and costly for applicants and require FCC staff resources to review. 
  • All categories of eligible entities operate on General Category frequencies. There is no evidence that this intermingling has resulted in operational incompatibility, interference, or any outcome that might warrant maintaining the Pools.
  • While inflexible Pool allocations presented issues prior to 800 MHz Rebanding, that process has muddled the Pools considerably. The scrambling of frequencies has proven that the concept that 800 MHz licensees are assigned frequencies based on compatibility of eligibility is no longer valid. 

“This Petition promotes common sense spectrum policy. We look forward to working with our private wireless colleagues and the FCC in streamlining the rules governing access to the 800 MHz band to make it more efficient for land mobile licensees whether business/industrial, public safety or SMR,” said EWA’s President and CEO, Robin Cohen.

About the Enterprise Wireless Alliance

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance is an FCC-certified frequency advisory committee and leading advocate for business enterprises, private carrier operators, wireless sales and service organizations and private wireless equipment vendors. EWA provides spectrum acquisition strategies, frequency coordination, license preparation, license management and associated reporting services. Visit www.enterprisewireless.org for more information.

  • It’s remarkable what we’ve been able to do with EWA’s support. It’s a collaborative effort that has allowed Midland to deliver unparalleled support to our customers. No one else has the depth of understanding of FCC rules, which has resulted in more application grants. Midland Communications has a profound appreciation for EWA’s advocacy efforts. It has allowed us to have a voice before the FCC.
    Paul Moore
    Midland Communications
  • A Beep has been a happy customer of Spectrum Intel since its launch. It’s easy to use, the information is much more accessible, and the service includes extra features that other license activity reporting services don’t have. Spectrum Intel saves my team time each week.
    Frank Anderson
    A Beep, LLC
  • It’s not just about finding frequencies. It’s about finding the RIGHT frequencies for that customer, and EWA excels every time at that. We would not be moving forward without EWA.
    Craig Sikes
    Mobile Communications America
  • The advocacy and regulatory issues are very important to our business, and, without EWA, we would have no voice. Nobody is speaking up for players like us in Washington except EWA.
    David Reeves
    P&R Communications
  • We use EWA for all of our FCC license applications. The staff at EWA provide outstanding customer service and do all they can to see that applications are granted. EWA does a super job of staying on top of situations that affect our ability to file license applications and serve customers. EWA’s Regulatory Call keeps us informed about what is happening with the FCC and their online systems.
    Brian S. Auker
    Triangle Security and Communications