Expanding access to unlicensed spectrum “does not actually...

Expanding access to unlicensed spectrum “does not actually seem to be a priority” at the FCC, groups affiliated with the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition told FCC commissioners Mike O'Rielly and Ajit Pai in separate meetings Wednesday. Representatives from Common Cause, New America Foundation and Public Knowledge told O'Rielly and Pai that despite positive statements from the FCC on unlicensed spectrum, continued uncertainty and “lack of actual action on any pro-unlicensed item makes it increasingly harder for investors, entrepreneurs and developers to believe that the FCC is serious” about the issue, the groups said in an ex parte filing (http://bit.ly/1eO57LK). The groups also expressed concerns about the implications the Progeny order (CD June 7 p3) will have on unlicensed use of the 900 MHz band. The groups also urged the FCC to adopt a band plan and rules for the incentive auction that ensure at least 24 megahertz of unlicensed spectrum is available in every market nationwide. That minimum is “necessary to promote and sustain markets of national scope and scale for unlicensed chips, devices and services,” the groups said.