Tag: FCC

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Flash briefing

Tower One Spring show
Tower one is kicking off its early spring road tour with the following stops to conduct tower safety and rescue training. If anyone would like to join any of these classes feel free to contact us at: sales@toweroneinc.com

March 26-27th Upland, Indiana
April 8-9th Lasara, Texas
April 10-11th Lasara, Texas
April 16-17th Mitchell, Nebraska
April 18-19th Albuquerque, New Mexico
April 22-23rd Amarillo, Texas
April 24-26th Iola, Kansas
April 29-30th Salisbury, Missouri
May 1-3rd Terre Haute, Indiana

Comcast FLEX offering
https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/21/18276040/comcast-flex-streaming-announced-features-pricing

TMOBILE LTE
https://bgr.com/2019/03/21/t-mobile-home-internet-service-details/

Microsoft says FCC overstates broadband
https://www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-says-fccs-broadband-report-overstates-high-speed-availability/

FCC resolves some WHITESPACE petitions
https://www.multichannel.com/news/fcc-resolves-white-spaces-issues

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FlashBriefing podcast

Flash Briefing: FCC news, cambium millimeter wave

Your j2Podcast flash briefing for

https://www.multichannel.com/news/sen-thune-schedules-rural-broadband-hearing
The Fcc is having a hearing on Rural broadband on March 12th.

https://www.engadget.com/2019/03/04/house-democrat-net-neutrality-bill-planned/
House to introduce a bill to reinstate net neutrality

https://www.androidauthority.com/fcc-rural-broadband-959604/
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-115A1.pdf
To access some of the funds, rural carriers must “significantly expand” access to internet service with download and upload speeds of at least 25Mbps and 3Mbps, respectively. According to the FCC, its $67 million offer could expand high-speed broadband service to up to 110,000 homes across 43 states in the U.S.

https://3fdumf3rqw5xx4mjgywguwz9-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/PTP-820E-Feb-2019.pdf
Cambium introduces millimeter wave radios in the 820 line

 

 

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Uncategorized

FCC Brendan Carr to Keynote WISPAmerica

http://www.wispa.org/Wispa-News/ArtMID/13028/ArticleID/1652/FCC%E2%80%99s-Brendan-Carr-to-Keynote-WISPAmerica-on-March-20th

WISPA is pleased to announce that Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr will deliver the keynote address at WISPAmerica, on March 20th. Carr was recently reconfirmed by the U.S. Senate to a full, five-year term at the FCC, having previously served a partial term. Carr is a champion of rural broadband who has met frequently with WISPA representatives and has visited WISPA member facilities. He is also a leader of efforts to improve the United States’ internet infrastructure and reduce regulatory burdens. He is knowledgeable on the full range of telecom policy issues, especially wireless, public safety, competition and international issues.   

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WISP

Fcc from 477 Extended

Form 477:  The FCC has extended the deadline for filing Form 477 until March 8, 2019 to report data as of December 31, 2018.  Here is a link to the FCC’s Public Notice announcing the extension: http://www.berrybest.com/relay14.asp?df=013119&pf=DA-19-33A1.pdf

According to the Public Notice, the filing portal is open and is accepting Form 477.

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WISP xISP

Form 477 Reminder

Don’t forget your form 477 is due September 2nd.

http://www.berrybest.com/relay14.asp?df=071118&pf=DA-18-716A1.pdf

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Site News WISPA

MTIN participates in FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Visit

On May 3rd, On-Ramp Indiana and Beck’s Hybrids hosted FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and Congresswoman Susan Brooks from Indiana District 5 to discuss rural broadband and technology.      We are extremely honored for the opportunity to share our experiences in deploying rural broadband with them.

The FCC defines broadband as any connection capable of 25/3Mbps.   47% of “rural” residents of Indiana District 5 do not have any choice for broadband internet.      There are over 2000 Wireless ISPs in our country working hard to fill the gap and provide affordable access to underserved areas.     While fiber, and other technologies will be part of the solution, we also are asking the FCC to work with WISPs to create an environment where we can access much needed spectrum to rapidly and cost effectively deploy broadband in rural areas.

A special thanks to Beck’s Hybrids (Sonny, Brad & Jeremy) for hosting the meeting at their incredible facility in Atlanta, IN.    They are a huge proponent of rural broadband as it helps achieve their mission of helping farmers succeed.    Rural Broadband is helping move the immense amount of data collected in modern farming into the computing data centers for analysis.   The end result is a more efficient and productive farming process which greatly benefits our economy.

We would also like to thank Justin Wilson of MTIN Consulting for assisting in the presentation.      Thanks also to Tracy Barnes & Ryan Heater with Lt Governor Crouch’s office, and Jodi Golden with the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, we appreciate you attending and it was great to meet everyone!

20180503_135630

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WISP WISPA xISP

Form 477 and Mapping

Recently the FCC has put out a press release about updating the national broadband map. If you are a WISP and wondering why you aren’t on there ask your self this question: Have you been filing your form 477? If not, then that is why.  If you are an ISP you are required to file form 477.

So, where do you begin? The above link will get you started.  If you are confused by census tracts, blocks, 15 digit codes for, and the sheer amount of formatting you need to know you have come to the right place. Also, for you facebook users I will share a link to the WISPAMERICA 2018 session in Birmingham about what forms to fill out.

Option number one is your WISP billing platform may already support doing something with form 477.  Many of the billing platforms geared toward the WISP industry already support form 477 exporting.  Check with your vendor or have a conversation with one at an event such as the upcoming WISPAMERICA.

Second is an online service such as www.towercoverage.com.  While many folks know towercoverage for their RF propagation maps, they can also turn data you can use for form 477. Here are some searches from the towercoverage.com wiki to get you started on their 477 support.  If you are going to WispAmerica check them out in booth 600.

Lastly, but not least, we have firms such as wirelessmapping.com. Not only can they help you generate maps and data, but they can help you turn your data into marketing as well.   They are also able to make sure you are filing your paperwork properly and in the correct format. In my local area, I see companies that do not have a coverage listed on the national broadband map.  I can only assume this is an honest mistake due to an error in a census block mistake or improper coding.

If you don’t file your Form 477, not only are you doing yourself an injustice but not letting the government know you are there, but you are skirting the law as well.  If the government does not know you are providing broadband to an area, they may let your competitor overbuild on taxpayer money.  You are missing out on opportunities as well as potential fines.

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Uncategorized

Open Letter to the FCC about CBRS

An open letter regarding:

GN Docket No. 12-354
RM-11788
RM-11789

I am writing on behalf of my Company MTIN.NET LLC in regard to the proposed changes to the CBRS band. We are primarily a consulting company for Wireless Internet Providers (WISPs). One of the biggest changes our customers face is the availability of spectrum to operate in.  These are companies who primarily are investing their own money into providing access in their own communities.  They help to support local businesses by giving them a choice in high-speed broadband access. Sometimes, these WISPs are the only option.

Please take into consideration how any changes will affect these Entrepreneurs and their mission to bring broadband into underserved areas of the country.   Without WISPs, many homes and businesses would not have high-speed access that works with Voice, or streaming services.  Satellite is unable to deliver low-latency connections to users.

The ability of a WISP to have access to more spectrum not only allows them to provider more speeds and better service, but it has other benefits as well. WISPs have usually been started to fill a broadband need in an area.  Having access to high-speed access allows schools to offer greater learning tools, allows businesses to generate new revenue streams as well as saving money.  Please don’t leave the companies who are investing their own money, not shareholder’s money, out in the cold.

We are opposed to both petitions by CTIA and T-mobile. Please consider the comments from the WISP community before making any decisions. It is estimated WISPs service over 3 Million subscribers across the country.  Give them tools they need to thrive.

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Tower

DOL-OSHA and FCC release Communications tower best practices

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Federal Communications Commission are concerned about the risks faced by employees in the communication tower industry. Employees climb communication towers to perform construction and maintenance activities and face numerous hazards, including fall hazards, hazards associated with structural collapses and improper rigging and hoisting practices, and “struck-by” hazards.

You can read the safety document here.

 

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News

FCC Changes for 477 filing

http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/changes-coming-form-477-data-collection

477 changes