Dear EC and RR-TAG,
Paul kindly brought to my attention that yesterday the FCC released an item that asks for help in defining “broadband”. This relates to the FCC’s development of a National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The following link will take you to the item:
As you will see the comment due date is 31 August and reply comments are due 8 September. Not only is this a very short notice proceeding but it falls between IEEE 802 meetings. Paul has asked that we try to implement “Option 1” contained in my earlier email to the EC and develop a response to be filed on 31 August.
There is a reference to a previous FCC NOI regarding a nationwide broadband network, GN Docket 09-51. At the May interim 802.18 made comments on that NOI. The earlier FCC NOI is available on 802.18’s Mentor web site:
The 802.18 comments are available at:
To do this we can take advantage of 802.18’s ability to meet and approve documents on conference calls. What I propose is that all those WGs in 802 (not only the wireless groups) meet by conference call at the date and time given below. I further propose that each interested WG, as much as possible in the limited time available prior to the call, develop views for discussion on what is meant by “broadband”. In order to make the call work more smoothly I ask that each interested WG chair (or designated representative), with no more than 2 “advisors”, participate in the call. All wireless chairs already have voting privileges in 802.18 and for this call that privilege will be extended to all other WG chairs.
Date – 26 August 2009
Time – 2:00 pm/14:00 CDT
Bridge number – TBA NLT Tuesday, 25 August
Pass code – TBA NLT Tuesday, 25 August
Presuming success on the call the document will be submitted on 27 August for EC 5 day review and approval.
Again let me say that I realize that this is a very short notice for a meeting to deal with a topic such as this one. It is important that we try and put the IEEE 802 view before the FCC on time. Beside the normal boilerplate at the beginning of the comments we will also comment to the FCC about the very short timeframe - 11 days from the public notice of the request to the comment date.
If possible please circulate any proposed text prior to the call.
Glad to discuss.
Regards,
Mike