If President Barack Obama appoints FCC...

If President Barack Obama appoints FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn as the agency’s interim chair upon FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s departure, addressing interoperability in the 700 MHz lower B block will be one of her “higher policy priorities,” said Louis Peraertz, Clyburn’s aide, during an FCBA event Tuesday. Earlier this month, the FCC Wireless Bureau extended the deadline for smaller carriers to build out on the band (CD April 9 p1). Clyburn is hoping to resolve interoperability “fairly quickly,” because it will give options to customers in urban and rural areas, Peraertz said. Interoperability is an important part of the agency’s band plan, but it’s also complicated, said Renee Gregory, Genachowski’s aide. Genachowski’s office continues to be engaged on the issue, she said. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel believes issues with interoperability on the band demonstrate that the agency needs to ensure similar problems do not arise when they address the 600 MHz band, said David Goldman, Rosenworcel’s aide.