DeLawder Broadband Wireless Services (Text Only)
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DELAWDER SERVICE SITES:
Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) includes the FCC Part 21.900 services that are made up of 2.1 GHz (MDS channels 1, 2 and 2A) and 2.6 GHz (MDS channels H1, H2 and H3) frequency spectrum stations.
Multichannel MDS (MMDS) includes FCC Part 21.900 services that are made up of 2.6 GHz (MMDS channels E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3 and F4) frequency spectrum stations.
Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) includes FCC Part 74.900 services in the 2.5 to 2.7 GHz frequency spectrum stations. These stations operate both non-commercially and commercially (typically by excess capacity lease agreements).
The MDS, MMDS and ITFS point-to-multipoint systems can operate as either analog video or broadband digital (data, telephony, video) wireless telecommunications facilities. These FCC-licensed systems are extremely versatile, with the higher-powered single-site stations capable of serving distances in excess of 30 miles. Digital systems are capable of providing both one-way and two-way services.
Initially, MDS, MMDS and ITFS stations provided one-way commercial (or non-commercial in the case of ITFS) analog services, collectively known as “wireless cable” services, that were meant to compete with the more standard wire line cable providers. While such commercial systems continue to exist, MDS, MMDS and ITFS have evolved into digital wireless broadband systems that can provide high speed one-way and two-way transmissions. These high-speed wireless systems allow DSL-type Internet services with transmission speeds in excess of 1 Mbps. These services have further evolved from high-powered single-site systems to lower-powered multi-site systems, capable of serving large cities with high-speed, high-capacity two-way wireless Internet service.
DC specializes in the design and FCC licensing of all kinds of MDS, MMDS and ITFS stations. Because the design and application requirements of these services are rather complex (especially for two-way systems), DC uses sophisticated software tools to meet a client’s needs in the development of these systems.
- Existing operators control the licensing rights for MDS and MMDS throughout the United States (and various US territories). New MDS and MMDS stations can only be obtained by existing operators that control the rights to operate such systems by having the licensing rights to geographical areas known as “Basic Trading Areas”. Of course, a new entity can obtain the rights to operate MDS and MMDS by either purchasing existing licenses or by leasing services from the licensed operators.
- ITFS is typically an educational service, with licensing by educational institutions. Much of an individual ITFS station license can, however, be made available for commercial through various leasing agreements. While the FCC has the right to announce the availability of new ITFS, no such filings for new ITFS stations have been allowed since October 1995.
- Most large market stations are evolving from single-site analog to multi-site digital systems that are capable of two-way high-speed wireless service.
- The FCC protection requirements for MDS, MMDS and ITFS are very conservative, necessitating interference consent agreements and adjacent-system cooperation. Without such cooperation (and consent), the ability for these systems to expand into multi-site high-capacity two-way systems is limited.
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MILLIMETER SERVICE (LMDS 38 GHz)
Various commercial two-way broadband digital services exist in the upper frequency spectrum above 10 GHz. These services include:
- Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) at 27.5 to 28.5 and 31 GHz (FCC Part 101.1000);
- 10, 18 and 39 GHz (Various FCC Part 101 Rules)
Almost all millimeter services have limited base station coverage areas (with typical coverage distances of 1 to 3 miles) necessitating large multi-site systems in order to serve the larger metropolitan areas. Because the design of these services are rather complex, DC uses sophisticated software tools to meet a client's needs in the development of these systems.
Important Millimeter System Points
-Existing operators control the licensing rights for most of the currently licensed millimeter services throughout the United States (and various US territories). The newer services (LMDS, 39 GHz) are awarded by FCC auction.
-Millimeter services are limited by sever signal fading, necessitating complex multi-site system designs. Current technology typically requires line-of-sight (LOS) path links from the base station to customer for successful service. Newer non line-of-sight (NLOS) technologies are being developed, which will greatly improve the reliability of service to these systems.
-Most millimeter services are in their infancy (less than 10 years in existence) as commercial services. Many service providers are having difficulty developing successful business plans. The success of these services should improve as the technological advances in spread spectrum and NLOS (such as OFDM) are fully developed.
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Wireless Communications Service (WCS) operates in the 2.3 GHz frequency spectrum (FCC Part 27). While WCS does not include enough frequency spectrum to be considered a broadband service alone, many WCS licensees combine their operations with other services (i.e. MDS and MMDS) to provide two-way broadband services to a market.
General Wireless Communications Service (GWCS) operates in the 4.6 GHz frequency spectrum (FCC Part 26).
While WCS and GWCS do not include enough frequency spectrum alone to be considered a broadband service, many WCS and GWCS licensees combine their operations with other services (i.e. MDS and MMDS) to provide two-way broadband services to a market.
Because the design of these systems can be rather complex, DC uses sophisticated software tools to meet a client's needs in the development of these systems.
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By unlicensed services, we refer to those transmitting devices that must meet certain defined equipment tolerances, but that are otherwise unrestricted in their deployment. Actual systems that employ such equipment are considered unlicensed because prior FCC authorization and FCC licensing requirements of these systems are unnecessary.
Part 15 of the FCC Rules establishes equipment tolerances for transmitting devices that are considered unlicensed. FCC Part 18 covers frequency bands of certain industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment that can also be used in an unlicensed manner. Certain of the ISM frequency bands (including 2.4 and 5.8 GHz) are available for use by commercial entities.
Such unlicensed facilities have extremely low power and small coverage footprints. Also, because these systems are unlicensed, they are not protected from interference. Such interference can become extreme in areas where multiple unlicensed systems that use the same frequency spectrum are installed.
Many systems are currently being developed that employ both licensed and unlicensed services (known as hybrid systems).
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