Intel continues to favor allocating additional spectrum at...

Intel continues to favor allocating additional spectrum at 5 GHz for unlicensed use and maximizing the amount of spectrum for unlicensed in the TV band, said Peter Pitsch, executive director-communications policy, in a meeting with Jeffrey Neumann, aide to FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai. Intel favors a band plan for 600 MHz spectrum with seven pairs of wireless licenses offered for sale if possible, Pitsch said, said an ex parte filing from the company. “The licensees in the top markets, if they unanimously agree, should be able to make band plan changes after the auction closes,” he said. “The FCC should consider setting nationwide reservation prices for the guard band and duplex gap based on its assessment of the societal value of unlicensed use of these bands and put the guard band and duplex gap out for bid. If the total bids exceeded the respective reservation price, then the guard band or duplex gap would be licensed, otherwise, they would be unlicensed.” Other companies have been lobbying the FCC in recent days on Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum (CD Feb 6 p17).