January 30, 2013

Inside The Beltway...

DISH Ratchets Back Sprint Fight…Somewhat
In a surprise move, DISH Networks told the FCC it won’t participate in the first round of “petition to deny” comments opposing SoftBank’s plan to buy 70 percent of Sprint Nextel Corp. because DISH still wants to buy Sprint joint venture Clearwire Corp. It will, however, submit reply comments. DISH has offered $3.30 per share for Clearwire’s stock, topping Sprint’s original offer by $0.33 per share.
 
NTIA Report Reveals Pros, Cons For More U-NII Use
A newly released study from the NTIA reports on the potential use of as much as 195 megahertz in the 5 GHz band by Unlicensed-National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices. More spectrum could facilitate more Wi-Fi technology and more equipment sales. Much of the report focuses on potential risk to federal users due to interference from an increased number of  U-NII devices if the FCC allows U-NII devices to operate in the 5350 MHz-5470 MHz and 5850 MHz-5925 MHz bands. The report then suggests mitigation strategies for each risk element. Moving forward, NTIA will work with federal and industry stakeholders and the FCC on potential mitigation requirements that would work with pending regulatory proceedings. Go to www.ntia.doc.gov/report/2013/evaluation-5350-5470-mhz-and-5850-5925-mhz-bands to read the entire report.