FCC Revision of CBRS Rules Appears Headed to Approval Over Rosenworcel Dissent

The FCC is expected to vote 3-1 on Oct. 23 to adopt revised rules for the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service band largely as circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai (see 1810020050). Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is expected to dissent. A question remains whether she will be able to get a few changes that would allow her to vote for part of it. Rosenworcel voted for part of the wireless infrastructure order last month after getting a few concessions. Observers think a similar dynamic could develop here (see 1809260029). Interested parties got an extra day to lobby since the sunshine notice was delayed a day after the agency was closed Monday (see 1810150023).

Getting to "yes" on any part of the rules could be difficult for Rosenworcel, industry and FCC officials said. Rosenworcel dissented on the NPRM (see 1805100062). Umair Javed, her wireless adviser, said last week Rosenworcel would prefer that the 2015 rules were left as is (see 1810100065). Discussions are expected to pick up on the eighth floor after the sunshine notice is released Wednesday, FCC and industry officials said.

The Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) is pressing for a concession on areas that go unserved in a county even after the county spectrum is purchased as part of a priority access license. Such rural sections would revert to general authorized access after five years absent buildout, while overall buildout requirements would still allow 10 years for construction. PISC members met with Pai aide Rachael Bender and Commissioner Brendan Carr.

“Even in large counties with very substantial rural and small town populations, serving half a county’s population can be satisfied by limiting deployment to the county seat or an overlapping metro market,” PISC said Tuesday in docket 17-258. “Unserved census tracts within the county should be partitioned and default to General Authorized Access (GAA) status either permanently, or at least for the duration of the license period.”

Everyone is excited about the GAA tier of the 3.5 GHz band, Public Knowledge Senior Policy Counsel Phillip Berenbroick told us. “It’s unfortunate we’re sort of unwinding the same sort of prescient decision-making on the PALs,” he said. “We got it right the first time.”

The important thing now is getting the spectrum access system equipment up and running, said Doug Brake, director-broadband and spectrum policy at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. “I don’t imagine a whole lot will change," he said of draft order. "There aren’t new last minute arguments around license sizes that are going to change anything, and most of the momentum is just to get the rules finalized.”

The Competitive Carriers Association supports the FCC’s proposal on the PALs. “Mid-band spectrum offers tremendous opportunities for carriers to deploy next-generation technologies," said CCA President Steve Berry. He said the draft "recognizes the importance that all carriers, both large and small, have the opportunity to access this.”

The Wireless Bureau and the Office of Engineering Technology said Tuesday they are accepting registrations to be environmental sensing capability (ESC) operators, a key part of the CBRS band. The ESC operators protect Navy radars in the band. “All proposals must, at a minimum, demonstrate that the coverage provided by the network of ESC sensors will comply with NTIA’s published guidance by providing the Radio Frequency site configuration details for each ESC sensor … and a coverage map of the sensor network,” said a public notice.