FCC Works on MVDDS Issues

[Steve Mehs]

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking comment on how to speed up the build-out requirements for Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS), the controversial wireless technology that would share spectrum with small dish satellite TV services.

The FCC also is taking comments on what geographic-area definition best suits MVDDS, whether it's "Designated Market Areas" (DMAs) or "Component Economic Areas" (CEAs) it originally adopted for MVDDS use. The commission said it believes both DMAs and CEAs would encourage rapid MVDDS service deployment in unserved or underserved areas and "encourage meaningful participation by small businesses."

In its notice, the FCC said DMAs, as opposed to CEAs, may provide a better method for determining MVDDS service areas. However, Nielsen, which has a copyright on the use of DMA, may constrain both FCC and licensee use of DMAs, the commission said in its notice.

On the build-out schedule, some have told the FCC that the current 10-year period for MVDDS licenses to build out service is too long. One MVDDS company, MDS America, supports a five-year build-out period, a requirement advocated by others eyeing the FCC's MVDDS proceeding, the agency said.

Satellite interests are concerned that MVDDS, which would use the same frequencies used by DBS companies, will interfere with satellite TV signals. MVDDS licenses are up for auction in June.

From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com) (Used with Permission)

[waydwolf]

    And people keep telling me I'm nuts when I tell them this is coming no matter what the DBS industry says...

    There's a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" thing to the license build-out fight. On the one hand, with short terms, it works in favor of those with lots of cash and funding in hand because they can make sure they hit the deadline while those smaller companies which are not conglomerate megacorps may not be able to make their scheme work in the five years allotted.

    On the other hand, the megacorps can with a ten year license buy them and sit on them, and stifle competition.

    The auction cannot be only about money but also must involve local populations' input as to what services they are looking for. Hometown corporations should be given preference I think if the government is serious about encouraging people to be enterpreneurs and build themselves and their localities economically.

    On the other hand, that can lead to monopolies of local favorites that never turn anything out of value while the national corporation might have.

    My money is on this turning out like the cell phone wars and a few large companies ending up with control nationwide. AT&T, Nextel, Sprint, Comcast, AOL TW, etc. will almost certainly be involved with all that lucretive bandwidth.