WASHINGTON, D.C.  —The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech global communications networks, recently submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding its proposal to eliminate the legacy channel spacing and bandwidth limitation for Economic Area-based 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees in the 813.5-824/858.5-869 MHz band.

TIA applauded the FCC’s proposal, subject to certain conditions, and believes it will lead to the protection of public safety licensees from harmful interference while promoting spectrum efficiency and technology deployment.

“TIA supports policies to help the communications network handle rapidly increasing broadband traffic and a growing demand for spectrum,” said TIA President Grant Seiffert. “In just five years, mobile broadband traffic will be 35 times what it is today. We need to take steps now to make spectrum use more efficient so we can continue to safeguard public safety licensees and the growth of global communications and business.”

Significant additional data about broadband network traffic and growth is available through TIA’s 2012 Market Review & Forecast.  Media interested in receiving a copy of the report should contact Beth Dozier at [email protected].

For a copy of TIA’s complete comments to the FCC, click here.

In its submission, TIA says:

“This proceeding will provide licensees with greater clarity on their ability to conduct wideband or broadband transmissions in the SMR portion of the 800 MHz band. Additionally, TIA believes the Commission should provide greater flexibility to geographic area-based licensees to use technologies that operate on contiguous spectrum as long as interference issues have been accounted for.

“TIA is in favor of Commission actions that make additional spectrum available and usable for wireless services. Furthermore, the elimination of the channel spacing and bandwidth limitation rules for EA-based SMR licensees will be a boon to innovation in wireless services and devices. Wider bandwidth operations in the 800 MHz enable licensees to deploy new service operations and wireless technologies to make available to the public.

“While fully supportive of the Commission’s proposed rule changes in this matter, TIA stresses that the Commission should ensure that it considers potential interference issues for all licensees and provides appropriate protection.”

About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members’ products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org for more details.

Join TIA at its annual Member Meeting, Conference and Exhibition, TIA 2012: Inside the Network, June 5-7, 2012 in Dallas. For detailed information about the event go to tia2012.org.

TIA’s 2012 Market Review & Forecast is now available. Watch an in-depth roundtable discussion on the data and trends on issues such as spectrum included in the 550-page annual report on tianow.org.