FCC OK’s Early 700 MHz Build-Out

In response to requests from 21 cities and counties, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted waivers to allow construction of radio networks in a slice of the 700 MHz band that has been, up to now, tied up by regulatory issues related to digital TV and a spectrum auction. The decision will allow Boston, New York City, Honolulu, Seattle, San Jose and several states to immediately begin building networks, subject to several conditions to insure compatibility with any future regulations or procedures the FCC may eventually devise to properly allocate the 700 MHz spectrum. The FCC has been working through many issues related to three blocks of spectrum, including the D Block that was destined for auction in 2008. Rather than wait for final decisions on all matters for the allocation, the cities and counties wanted immediate access to the frequencies. The FCC received scores of comment on the matter, including suggestions to impose stringent conditions on any waiver grants. In today’s decision, the commission decided that it could grant the waivers before making other decisions about allocating the spectrum, and imposed requirements on entities, including leasing the spectrum from the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST) and certain LTE technical requirements. The FCC did not impose any proof of funding requirement on the waivers. Download (pdf) a copy of the FCC’s decision here.