EWA Seeks Regulatory Parity In Response to M2M Networks/WIA Policy Recommendations

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) has asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) whether it is permissible for affiliated entities to solicit, prepare and file Specialized Mobile Radio applications on behalf of third party investors, with agreements to construct their facilities and lease their spectrum in channel quantities that exceed the number for which a single applicant may apply initially. In certain bands, such as 800 MHz, the FCC has limited the number of frequencies available on initial application in a given area in order to promote spectrum access to a wider number of applicants. An affiliated group comprised of Smartcomm License Services LLC, Spectrum Networks Group LLC, and M2M Spectrum Networks LLC has collaborated in an application solicitation, license construction, and spectrum leasing strategy that has given them control of a substantial number of channels in multiple markets. In its filing, EWA asked the Commission to advise whether parties are permitted to organize this type of packaged arrangement since it could be a very attractive approach for entities interested in acquiring substantial 800 MHz spectrum positions in major markets.

In addition, EWA questioned whether the Internet of Things (IoT) service described by M2M in its filings is appropriate for 800 MHz Part 90 land mobile spectrum, which is allocated primarily for mobile voice applications, rather than fixed data. EWA suggested that there are other bands that are far better-suited than 800 MHz for the deployment of IoT systems.