Many government wireless users operate in both the Public Safety and the Business/Industrial spectrum.
GWTCA has expertise in both areas of spectrum to augment the advocacy of trade associations that focus on one particular spectrum segment i.e. Public Safety or Business/Industrial.
Many Frequency Coordinators don’t advocate for their constituencies as they did in the past. Some have eliminated their spectrum management committees.
Government “non-first responders” have no dedicated advocate “champion.”
GWTCA conducts extensive advocacy before the FCC with technical expertise on the wireless issues important to this group of users, balancing the needs of both the Public Safety and Business/Industrial spectrum.
Actions / Filings
GWTCA supported the continued use of the 5.9 GHz Band for Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) in FCC Docket No. 19-138.
GWTCA is concerned with the potential for interference to mission critical microwave systems if the FCC permits unlicensed devices in the 6 GHz Band and participated in the FCC’s proceeding.
GWTCA advocated on the importance of 4.9 GHz spectrum for the public safety community, and cautioned on sharing with unlicensed services in numerous filings in WT Docket No. 07-100.
GWTCA expressed concerns that the FCC’s long lasting freeze in the 470-512 MHz “T-Band,” seriously hurt public safety and business/industrial incumbents:
GWTCA Comments in the FCC’s T-Band Relocation Proceeding.
One of GWTCA’s greatest crusade is radio interference to public safety operations. When the FCC wants non-biased input on the issue, the Commission actively seeks out GWTCA personnel. For example, on November 6, 2017, GWTCA’s counsel participated in the FCC’s Public Forum on 800 MHz Spectrum Sharing, at the invitation of the FCC.
GWTCA has taken the interference fight to other proceedings, too. For example, in FCC Docket No. 16-191, the TAC Noise Floor Technical Inquiry
GWTCA wants to make more spectrum available for government wireless workers, and to ensure that the FCC’s rules do not unfairly inhibit their operations:
GWTCA Filing in FCC Docket No. 16-240 – Amendments to Harmonize and Streamline Part 20
GWTCA Filing in FCC Docket No. 99-87 – Waiver of 6.25 kHz Equipment Requirement
GWTCA is pleased that the FCC elected not to create an incumbent preference for the 800 MHz frequencies returned by Sprint/Nextel, and will shortly begin licensing those frequencies again, after a long freeze. Here are some examples of GWTCA’s advocacy on the issue:
GWTCA On The Importance Of Broadcast Radio To Public Safety July 2019
GWTCA Supports The Implementation Of Small Cells
Small cells are important in the implementation of smart transit, and government transit agencies have a significant amount of right of way that can properly be used for small cells. However, GWTCA is concerned that the FCC is putting government in competition with its own businesses by mandating rates that prohibit government agencies from recovering ALL legitimate costs. GWTCA opposes municipalities subsidizing carrier operations. Here’s our Comments to the FCC:
GWTCA Filing in FCC Docket No. 16-421 – Small Cell Deployments
GWTCA On Small Cell Deployments
GWTCA, in conjunction with the City of New Orleans and multiple state Municipal Leagues, submitted a Petition For Reconsideration of the FCC’s Small Cell Deployment Order
GWTCA Petition For Reconsideration in FCC Docket No. 17-79
GWTCA issues an Advisory on municipal charges for small cells. GWTCA Advisory On Small Cells – 7-1-2019
GWTCA On The Wireless Workforce
Education of the wireless workforce is a significant area of interest of GWTCA. We want to ensure that the next generation of workers is able to implement new technologies at the highest levels. Further, the implementation of technologies such as 5G require many additional workers that must receive training before work can begin. GWTCA has advocated in forums in the U.S., Europe, and Australia on this issue.
Reference Documents
GWTCA Announces MOU With TIA On Smart Building Initiative
GWTCA Joins The Land Mobile Communications Council
Tower Owners – Are You Missing Opportunities?
Push to Talk over LTE on LA‐RICS and Interoperability with LA County P25 Network