[WISPA] Experimental Licenses? Public Service Commissions?
Two questions for you guys... Have any of you ever heard of a requirement to obtain an Experimental License (via a Form 442) to start up or operate a WISP? I'm trying to find something online that states what sort of radio, frequency, activity, or anything that defines who must obtain this license, but am finding nothing related to unlicensed spectrum. Have any of you ever heard of a requirement to register with a state's Public Service Commission (for a WISP providing Internet connectivity only - no VOIP, telephony, etc.) Thanks Sam ___ Wireless mailing list Wireless@wispa.org http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
Re: [WISPA] Experimental Licenses? Public Service Commissions?
On 7/25/2014 12:29 PM, Sam wrote: Two questions for you guys... Have any of you ever heard of a requirement to obtain an Experimental License (via a Form 442) to start up or operate a WISP? I'm trying to find something online that states what sort of radio, frequency, activity, or anything that defines who must obtain this license, but am finding nothing related to unlicensed spectrum. No, you don't need an Experimental license to operate a WISP. Form 442 is the application for an experimental license, which is governed by Part 5 of the FCC Rules. Such licenses are for experimentation, product development, and market trials. If equipment is type approved, it is not experimental, but a manufacturer might use this Part in order to test out new equipment or technology that isn't yet approved. Part 5 devices can theoretically operate in any part of the spectrum, provided that the license is granted -- the experimental license can be very specific about frequency, power, etc., as it's issued on a case-by-case basis. WISPs usually operate under Part 15, which regulates unlicensed devices. (The 3650 MHz band is in Part 90, as it requires a non-exclusive license.) So the FCC doesn't generally care about your Part 15 operation so long as you use type-approved equipment and follow the appropriate rules for that equipment and the frequency it's operating on. Note that there can be some special cases; under the new U-NII rules, if you have 1000 outdoor access points on the 5150-5250 band, you have to give the FCC notice. But it's still unlicensed. Have any of you ever heard of a requirement to register with a state's Public Service Commission (for a WISP providing Internet connectivity only - no VOIP, telephony, etc.) Not like a carrier. You're providing an information service per federal definitions, and it's jurisdictionally interstate. It's not like a CLEC that needs certification. But there could be some kind of state business-licensing rules that apply to WISPs in some states; that's a legal question. If a WISP wants to become an eligible telecommunications carrier in order to participate in the forthcoming Universal Service Fund reverse auctions and get federal USF money, it will need ETC certification, which usually comes from the state PUC, but I think you don't need that until after you win the auction. -- Fred R. Goldstein k1io fred at interisle.net Interisle Consulting Group +1 617 795 2701 ___ Wireless mailing list Wireless@wispa.org http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
Re: [WISPA] Experimental Licenses? Public Service Commissions?
Fred, thank you for your detailed and informative explanation. I knew someone here would know the answers. Thanks again and have a great weekend! On 7/25/2014 12:29, Fred Goldstein wrote: On 7/25/2014 12:29 PM, Sam wrote: Two questions for you guys... Have any of you ever heard of a requirement to obtain an Experimental License (via a Form 442) to start up or operate a WISP? I'm trying to find something online that states what sort of radio, frequency, activity, or anything that defines who must obtain this license, but am finding nothing related to unlicensed spectrum. No, you don't need an Experimental license to operate a WISP. Form 442 is the application for an experimental license, which is governed by Part 5 of the FCC Rules. Such licenses are for experimentation, product development, and market trials. If equipment is type approved, it is not experimental, but a manufacturer might use this Part in order to test out new equipment or technology that isn't yet approved. Part 5 devices can theoretically operate in any part of the spectrum, provided that the license is granted -- the experimental license can be very specific about frequency, power, etc., as it's issued on a case-by-case basis. WISPs usually operate under Part 15, which regulates unlicensed devices. (The 3650 MHz band is in Part 90, as it requires a non-exclusive license.) So the FCC doesn't generally care about your Part 15 operation so long as you use type-approved equipment and follow the appropriate rules for that equipment and the frequency it's operating on. Note that there can be some special cases; under the new U-NII rules, if you have 1000 outdoor access points on the 5150-5250 band, you have to give the FCC notice. But it's still unlicensed. Have any of you ever heard of a requirement to register with a state's Public Service Commission (for a WISP providing Internet connectivity only - no VOIP, telephony, etc.) Not like a carrier. You're providing an information service per federal definitions, and it's jurisdictionally interstate. It's not like a CLEC that needs certification. But there could be some kind of state business-licensing rules that apply to WISPs in some states; that's a legal question. If a WISP wants to become an eligible telecommunications carrier in order to participate in the forthcoming Universal Service Fund reverse auctions and get federal USF money, it will need ETC certification, which usually comes from the state PUC, but I think you don't need that until after you win the auction. ___ Wireless mailing list Wireless@wispa.org http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
Re: [WISPA] Experimental Licenses? Public Service Commissions?
So far as public service commission, that will depend on the services that you offer. In some states you may have to collect and remit fees and taxes for non-Internet services (commonly L1-L2 services). You likely don't have to ask permission to start but if you sell the wrong thing you open a big can of worms. E.g. in my state if you sell someone internet access and they use it for a EoIP tunnel, that's not regulated. If you sell them a EoIP tunnel, that's regulated. On Fri, Jul 25, 2014 at 11:29 AM, Sam w...@csilogan.com wrote: Two questions for you guys... Have any of you ever heard of a requirement to obtain an Experimental License (via a Form 442) to start up or operate a WISP? I'm trying to find something online that states what sort of radio, frequency, activity, or anything that defines who must obtain this license, but am finding nothing related to unlicensed spectrum. Have any of you ever heard of a requirement to register with a state's Public Service Commission (for a WISP providing Internet connectivity only - no VOIP, telephony, etc.) Thanks Sam ___ Wireless mailing list Wireless@wispa.org http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless ___ Wireless mailing list Wireless@wispa.org http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
