August 6, 2024 - FCC releases public notice related to a petition for rule making from NextNav to reconfigure the 902-928 MHz band allocations.
The
public notice is an invitation for comment on NextNav’s petition for changes to
spectrum allocation within the LMS bands (Location and Monitoring Service). The LMS bands exist between 902 to
928 MHz. For more specific details see §90.353
The
902 to 928 MHz band is relatively crowded, used by Government Radio location,
fixed and mobile radio-location, LMS, Amateur radio 33-cm and a significant
number of unlicensed Part 15 devices.
Being
that Part 15 devices are unlicensed, they don’t generally receive interference
protection from incumbents, and must operate without interference to incumbents
of the spectrum (i.e. licensed spectrum holders). However, under §90.353(d) an LMS license will be conditioned upon the
licensee’s ability to demonstrate their systems do not cause unacceptable
levels of interference to Part 15 devices, and properly certified unlicensed
devices are insulated from claims of interference to M-LMS systems.
Band plan: a) current, b) current showing NextNav holdings (NN) and c) proposed.
Current
state:
“Amateur
radio operations are allocated on a secondary basis to LMS. Part 15 unlicensed
devices also operate in the band, are not typically afforded interference
protection, and may not cause harmful interference to LMS licensees, amateur
operations, or other licensed systems. However, Commission rules intended to
ensure coexistence between services require M-LMS licensees to
demonstrate
through field tests that their systems do not cause unacceptable
levels of interference to part 15 devices.”
“Also,
users of part
15 devices conforming to specified technical conditions
under a
safe harbor rule are insulated from claims in the band
that they cause harmful interference to M-LMS systems.”
Proposed changes:
“NextNav
indicates that it will work with all the incumbents in the band, including federal
(radio-location, fixed, and mobile), ISM, non-M-LMS, amateur, and unlicensed
part 15 device users, and suggests that the Commission could place
conditions on a newly issued NextNav license to
ensure protection”
(proposes a rule generally requiring interference protection to primary incumbents) (i.e. not part 15
devices)
“The Petition recognizes that there currently are unlicensed part 15 devices operating in the Lower 900 MHz Band, but it is unclear regarding the extent to which the proposed reconfiguration would impact potentially millions of such devices. With respect to part 15 devices, NextNav states that it is completing technical analyses and “will work with unlicensed users to understand their spectrum requirements.” NextNav does, however, seek the removal of the current requirement that it not cause unacceptable levels of interference to part 15 devices”
Questions in the public notice:
“What services are being provided by part 15 devices and amateur operations in this band? Can they be accommodated in other spectrum bands? What are the costs for relocation and how long would it take? We also seek comment on the status of any outreach with part 15 device users and amateur licensees.”
Ref:
Petition for Rule Making
https://nextnav.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Petition-for-Rulemaking-of-NextNav-Inc.pdf
FCC Public Notice – comments due Sept. 5, 2024
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-776A1.pdf
Historical
FCC Decides Not to Adopt New Rules Affecting 902-928 MHz Band
Additional information on 902-928 MHz;
Why Unlicensed Spectrum Dominates the Smart Grid
Public Safety Related Spectrum Issues in the 902-928 MHz Band
Location Service Deployment May Constrain 902-928 MHz Amateur Use
