Conformity Magazine - November 2007 - (Page 10)

NewsBreaks Commission Sets Date, Terms for 700 MHz Auction The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set the date and terms for the much anticipated auction of the 700 MHz band of spectrum. As we have previously reported, the spectrum, which will be auctioned on January 16, 2008, is currently occupied by television broadcasters, but will be vacated in the transition to digital television in February 2009. The FCC’s plan for the freed-up spectrum includes the creation of a nationwide interoperability broadband network for public safety, and support for the deployment of next generation wireless broadband services for consumers. The terms of the plan announced in the FCC’s recent Notice call for the creation of a “Public Safety/Private Partnership” between the licensee for one of the commercial spectrum blocks and the licensee for the public safety broadband spectrum. Under the Partnership, the commercial licensee will build the nationwide broadband network for use by public safety agencies. Once completed, the public safety licensee will have priority access to the commercial spectrum during emergencies, while the commercial licensee will have preemptible, secondary access to the public safety spectrum. In addition, the FCC has also determined that licensees for one of the spectrum blocks to be auctioned will be required to provide an open platform that will allow consumers, device manufacturers, third-party application developers and others to use any device or application on the network, subject to certain conditions. Our readers can view the complete text of the Commission’s Public Notice on the 700 MHz auction at www.conformity.com/1110. public switched network. In addition, the Commission also extended the automatic roaming obligation to cover “push-to-talk” and text messaging services. However, the Commission stopped short of imposing automatic roaming service obligations on the provisioning of broadband data services. In a separate statement, Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin noted that some carriers who are planning to participate in the January auction for the 700 MHz spectrum have indicated that their business model for 700 MHz service depends in part on their ability to provide broadband roaming on a wholesale basis to other carriers. “I am concerned that extending the roaming obligation to broadband data services at this time could undermine the wholesale model that some have advocated,” Martin said. Our readers can view the complete text of the Commission’s announcement clarifying carriers’ roaming obligations at www.conformity.com/1111. FCC Reaffirms Roaming Obligations The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has reaffirmed the obligation of wireless communications carriers to provide automatic roaming services to subscribers of other wireless carriers. Automatic roaming allows mobile telephone subscribers to place voice calls while traveling outside of their carriers’ home coverage area. FCC regulations require Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) providers to provide roaming services to subscribers of other carriers. In its recent Report and Order, the Commission reaffirmed CMRS carriers’ obligation to provide automatic roaming for switched voice or data services that are interconnected with the Commission Moves to Improve USF Management Seeking to strengthen its oversight over the Universal Service Fund (USF) and reduce the risks of fraud and abuse, the Federal Communications Commission DiLBErt: © Scott Adams/Dist. by United feature Syndicate, inc. reprinted with permission. 10 Conformity noVEmBEr 2007 http://www.conformity.com/1110 http://www.conformity.com/1111

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Conformity Magazine - November 2007

Conformity - November 2007 Contents Editor’s Note Commission Sets Date, Terms for 700 MHz Auction FCC Reaffirms Roaming Obligations Commission Moves to Improve USF Management FCC Proposes Fines for Violations of E911 Handset Requirements Commission Levies $1 Million Plus Fines for Unsolicited Fax Advertisements GR-3150 - Lithium Battery Certification Levels Based on Criteria for General Product, Safety, and Performance, Part 2 ESD Open Forum Machinery Field Evaluation for the United States Validation, Verification, and Immunity Testing Techniques for EMC for Functional Safety Thermal/EMC Simulation Addresses New Mechanical Design Challenges Product Safety Equipment Buyer’s Guide FCC Releases Report on Telephone Numbering Resource Utilization Canada Still Has PCS Spectrum to Assign Updated Standards List for the EU’s Medical Devices Directive Updated Standards List for EU Directive on Active Implantable Medical Devices Call for Papers for the 2008 EOS/ESD Symposium Announced Mobile Phone Use in Hospitals May Be Dangerous CPSC Actions in the News IEC Standards Update UL Standards Update Telcordia Standards Update From Our “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up” Department Product Reviews Looking Back: Items from Past Issues of Conformity Upcoming Events Advertisers

Conformity Magazine - November 2007

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