WCAI Symposium @ 4G World Wraps Up with FCC Keynote, Policy Summit

Welcome to the third and final day of the WCAI International Symposium @ 4G World!

Today we are going to explore some of the key regulatory and policy issues facing the wireless broadband industry in the United States. Seven months into the implementation of the FCC's National Broadband Plan, we will look at the progress made on meeting the established benchmarks and address such policy issues as network neutrality and new spectrum availability.

Kicking off the WCAI Broadband and Wireless Policy Summit today, FCC officials will deliver a keynote address on unleashing new spectrum for wireless broadband. Phoebe Yang and Julius Knapp of the FCC will discuss the agency's plans and progress toward reaching the goal of making available an additional 500 MHz of spectrum over the next ten years that is suitable for mobile and fixed broadband use.

Moving on, we will hold three regulatory panels that will feature who-is-who in the industry and government, including former FCC Chairman Kevin Martin of Patton Boggs; John Leibovitz of the FCC; Bob Quinn, Hank Hultquist and Joan Marsh of AT&T; Jonathan Snyder of KeyOn and Joseph Sandri of FiberTower. The sessions will be moderated by reporters from Politico and TR Daily and an analyst from Medley Global Advisors.

We hope you'll enjoy today's program and look forward to the day filled with dynamic discussions, new information and networking opportunities!

L@Net Summit Highlights the Second Day of WCAI International Symposium @ 4G World

Welcome to the second day of the WCAI International Symposium @ 4G World!

Today is all about our international members, as we are zeroing in on one of the fastest-growing wireless broadband markets in the world, Latin America. Whether you are a local operator in search of financing for your future deployments, or an international vendor looking to establish your presence in this promising land, the L@Net Summit is the place to be.

During the Summit, we will look at the current regulatory environment in the 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz and other major 4G bands in Latin America and provide an update on the upcoming spectrum auctions for the next-generation technology. We will also highlight some of the available options for financing 4G network deployments and examine alternative funding opportunities in the region.

The day will wrap up with the WCAI's Annual Networking Dinner that will feature an operator discussion on building a business case for WiMAX and LTE in the TDD spectrum. Participating in the discussion will be executives from leading internatioal and U.S. operators, including China Mobile, Enforta (Russia) and DigitalBridge Communications.

See you at the L@Net Summit!

WCAI Kicks Off Symposium @ 4G World with 3.65 GHz Channel Plan Announcement

WCAI kicked off its annual International Symposium @ 4G World today with the announcement of a significant step toward unlocking the potential of the 3.65 GHz band. The announcement came at the day-long 3.65 GHz Summit that WCAI is holding today to examine the remaining technical and regulatory challenges facing the band, look at the business models that proved successful and discuss the ways to maximize return on investment.

After months of tireless work and multiple iterations, the WCAI's 3.65 GHz Working Group today adopted and released the 3.65 GHz Channel Plan to minimize harmful interference among operators in the band. The plan is part of the 3.65 GHz Best Practices that the Working Group has been developing since it launched last November. It is the result of collaboration among leading 3.65 GHz vendors and operators both in the U.S. and abroad.

"We feel that this channel plan is an example of the type of work that can be accomplished through collective efforts and within the WCAI to facilitate future commercial successes in the band," said Jason Lazar of KeyOn Communications, who chairs the WCAI 3.65 GHz Working Group.

Still ahead are three days filled with valuable content and numerous networking opportunities. Those who are interested in learning about key regulatory issues, investment strategies and wireless broadband network deployments in one of the world's fastest-growing markets -- Latin America -- should not miss the L@Net Summit WCAI will host tomorrow, Oct. 19. Also tomorrow, WCAI will honor some of the best minds in the industry with annual awards and host an operator discussion on building a business case for WiMAX and LTE in the TDD spectrum at the WCAI's Annual Networking Dinner. The third and final day of the Symposium will feature the FCC keynote address, followed by the WCAI Broadband and Wireless Policy Summit.

WCAI Summer Summit Wraps Up with 4G Facility Tours, Internal Meetings

The WCAI Summer Summit wrapped up Thursday with special tours of the Clearwire 4G lab and DigitalBridge Network Operations Center. Officials from both companies met with Summit attendees to share experience with testing network and end-user devices, as well as deploying and operating next-generation networks.

The tours were followed by a semi-annual meeting of the WCAI’s Emerging Markets Committee – a valuable forum for operators to share tips for success and discuss what works and what doesn’t when it comes to running a wireless broadband business. Led by Committee Chair Joel Brick of Sioux Valley Wireless, the meeting featured John Celentano of WCAI member Tessco as a speaker. Also at the meeting, Mary O’Connor and Bob Primosch of Wilkinson Barker Knauer provided a regulatory update on what operators should keep an eye on in the next six months.

“The WCAI Summit provided a great opportunity for our members to reconnect, learn from each other’s experience, and build relationships with potential new partners,” said WCAI President Fred Campbell. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the attendance and the quality of discussions our members had during open sessions and internal meetings. I look forward to seeing everyone again at the WCAI’s International Symposium, which will be co-located with 4G World on October 18-20 in Chicago.”

WCAI Honors Jim Schlichting, Lee Sparkman, Kelley Dunne at Symposium

WCAI honored three industry visionaries with its annual awards at the Wireless Operator Dinner Sept. 15 held as part of the WCAI’s Annual International Symposium at 4G World. Jim Schlichting, Senior Deputy Chief of the FCC’s Wireless Bureau, was presented with the Government Leadership Award; Lee Sparkman, President of Enforta (Russia) with the Industry Service Award; and Kelley Dunne, CEO of DigitalBridge, with the Innovation Achievement Award. “We at WCAI are delighted to recognize the achievements of Jim Schlichting, Lee Sparkman and Kelley Dunne,” said WCAI President & CEO Fred Campbell. “Throughout their distinguished careers, they contributed to the growth and prosperity of the wireless broadband industry. On behalf of the WCAI, I want to thank them for their hard work and congratulate on winning the WCAI’s annual awards.”

FCC Official Urges WCAI Conference Attendees to Weigh In on Issues

Bruce Gottlieb, chief counsel and senior legal adviser to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, was the opening keynote speaker at the WCAI’s Annual International Symposium at 4G World Sept. 15 in Chicago. Addressing WCAI members and others in the wireless broadband industry, he said in the converged communications landscape, the FCC needs input from a wide variety of parties in order to make the best decisions on wireless issues, according to TR Daily coverage. “The bottom line is simple: The FCC is not hearing from the growing universe of companies in wireless, and as the wireless world expands, so must the FCC’s thinking about wireless.” He compared WCAI conference participants with parties that filed comments in last year’s wireless competition proceeding, noting that most of the latter were carriers and trade organizations. He urged input from a variety of stakeholders, as the FCC works to craft a national broadband plan by a statutory deadline of next February, as well as in its wireless innovation, wireless competition, and consumer disclosure proceedings. He said “one focus of the Commission’s attention will be looking at spectrum availability, and considering ways to ensure that all spectrum bands are being put to their highest and best use.”

Clearwire’s Barry West Keynotes WCAI’s International Operator Breakfast at Symposium

Barry West, President, International at WCAI member Clearwire kicked off the WCAI’s International Operator Breakfast as part of the WCAI’s International Symposium at 4G World last week. Organized by the WCAI’s Global Development Committee (GDC), the breakfast brought together wireless broadband service providers from around the world to discuss the future global expansion of 4G and the ways new and emerging technologies will transform our lives going forward. Addressing the operators, Mr. West delivered a spirited talk about WiMAX technology and said he was optimistic the company would be able to raise more money to complete the construction of a national network, according to TR Daily coverage. “I know there’s a lot of speculation about where WiMAX is and will it survive. Is it the Betamax of mobile broadband? I am telling you - we are past the tipping point,” Mr. West said. “Will LTE come along? Of course it will, but it’s not a case of, ‘Will it come along and crush WiMAX?’ WiMAX is here to stay.” Later, he predicted that WiMAX would grab “the lion’s share” of the 4G market.

Funding Scarce for Next-Generation 911

The future of next-generation, IP-enabled E911 is hampered by a lack of funding and momentum from both the public and private sectors, according to panel on the subject at the WCAI’s International Symposium last week covered by Wireless Week. David Furth of the FCC emphasized the importance of extending connectivity to unserved and underserved rural areas. “There are two regulatory issues that we’re going to be looking at. The first is to get basic connectivity out to the country because it affects 911 centers and first responders as much as it affects everyone else,” Furth said, adding that the FCC is examining how to configure rural broadband to that it will support the features needed for next-generation 911, both on the consumer side and the public safety side. Details.

WCAI Symposium Panelists Discuss Universal Broadband Services, Spectrum Allocations

WCAI International Symposiumpanelists last week urged the federal government to inventory the way government and commercial frequencies are being used before deciding how much additional spectrum needs to be reallocated for 4G wireless services, according to TR Daily. Although most panelists did not want to suggest how much additional spectrum carriers would need, Mohammad Shakouri, corporate VP-innovation and marketing for WCAI member Alvarion, suggested each would need an additional 80 MHz to 100 MHz, and he said they will also need wide channels for “real broadband.” Jim Schlichting, senior deputy chief of the FCC’s Wireless Bureau, urged various parties to weigh in at workshops and elsewhere at the agency. “Up until this point, we’ve had a lot of folks saying we need more spectrum, but it’s been sorely lacking in specifics,” he said, including where to get the spectrum and what the demand will be. Mr. Schlichting said the FCC was becoming prepared to conduct an inventory of spectrum under its jurisdiction if congressional legislation passes, while Danny Weitzner, associate administrator-policy for the NTIA, said his agency, other executive branch agencies, and Capitol Hill were discussing the best way to conduct an inventory of government bands. He also cited the need to provide incentives for efficient spectrum use and for users to vacate spectrum.

4G Wireless Network Roaming Challenges Cited at WCAI Symposium

Industry representatives participating in the WCAI’s International Symposium panel on roaming last week cited the challenges carriers will face in inking roaming agreements on 4G networks and suggested that the FCC leave data roaming up to the market instead of imposing rules, according to TR Daily coverage. Joan Marsh, vice president-federal regulatory for AT&T, and other panelists cited the difficulty of knowing exactly at this point how roaming agreements for 4G services will work in light of the absence of a standard for LTE technology, as well as uncertainty about the exact applications over networks. Speakers also noted that standards for VoIP offerings over a 4G platform haven’t been adopted. Jim Schlichting, senior deputy chief of the FCC’s Wireless Bureau, suggested that one of the factors the FCC will consider when mulling whether to change its roaming rules is the expectation of consumers when using the mobile Internet. He noted the agency also must consider whether it has the jurisdiction to regulate data roaming.