Re: [WISPA] Widespread abuse of FCC rules, a list...was TV white spaces
inline... >-Original Message- >From: Patrick Leary [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Tuesday, February 6, 2007 10:52 AM >To: 'WISPA General List' >Subject: [WISPA] Widespread abuse of FCC rules, a list...was TV white spaces > >Here are few raw comments that might fray some nerves: > >1. The FCC is not a baby sitter. >2. Mature operators (and industries as a whole) follow the rules as a >matter of course and expected cost of business. >3. You are not the public, you are commercial operators financially >benefiting off the public's free spectrum and you off all users should >thus be a responsible steward of that spectrum. >4. Those not following the rules have no ethical standing to complain >about other illegal use, predatory competitors, lack of spectrum, etc. > >As someone who has argued for WISP compliance for years, I've certainly >been alarmed by what I see as a new level of non-compliance. WISPs are >now commonly assuming the FCC's lack of enforcement is tantamount to its >approval of abuse. The general attitude is now that there is but one >rule: "Don't exceed the power limitations." Everything else has become >fair game. > >Here is a list of things I see that lend anecdotal evidence, if not >actual, that abuse is reaching new levels: > >- many WISPs now believe it is no big deal to use 4.9 GHz to carry some >commercial traffic (Hey, there's excess capacity so what's the big deal, >right?...) >> Many disagree with my view on things, but this is clearly wrong. 4.9 GHz is >> a licensed band for PUBLIC SAFETY ONLY. If know somebody that is using it >> illegally, they are a criminal. If you don't do something about it, you are >> an accessory to the crime and just as guilty. >- use of STA's to commercially use spectrum is openly being advocated >(this is partially responsible for an over 6 month wait in STA filings) >- illegal vendors now operate in the clear with prominent U.S. >distribution (They must be legal if they have a store front and it only >hurts other vendors anyway...) >- "build your own base station" type Google ads are rampant > >Call me an alarmist, but this accelerating trend is disturbing and such >attitudes easily even have the potential to infect safety issues (hey, >OSHA rules must not be that big a deal either). > >We must all appreciate that many violating the rules do so out of >ignorance, but that as an excuse. Groups like WISPA should take firm >stands on subjects like this. You should strongly encourage compliance, >lead the way and educate. You should fight the ignorance that allows for >relativism and "creative interpretation" of the rules. You should also >not cave to the hard luck excuses that "I'm a small guy and can't afford >to follow the rules." (Your response to such should be to point to >funding sources/advice or otherwise tell them that there is a minimum >cost to legally participate in this business and that following FCC >rules is a minimum expectation as responsible stewards of the public's >free spectrum.) And finally, WISPs should not treat knowingly illegal >operators as equals because in fact they are liabilities to you and the >industry at large. > >And yes, of course I have skin in the game but that in no way alters >anything here or devalues my comments. If anything, as a legal vendor >with a long professional reputation of compliance and scores of legal >operator partners, and as an individual who has been beating this drum >for 7 years, it should only increase the weight of my comments. > >Sincerely, > >Patrick Leary >AVP WISP Markets >Alvarion, Inc. >o: 650.314.2628 >c: 760.580.0080 >Vonage: 650.641.1243 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >-Original Message- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >Behalf Of Dawn DiPietro >Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 9:26 AM >To: WISPA General List >Subject: Re: [WISPA] TV white spaces > >All, > >Remember, it only takes a few bad apples to make the whole industry look > >bad. >Think about that the next time anyone wants to complain about the rules. > >Regards, >Dawn DiPietro > > >Patrick Leary wrote: > >>I hope it does go UL, but I have also heard some recent rumblings that >>the FCC is concerned with what seems like a widespread deterioration of >>WISPs following the rules. The phrase I recall is something along the >>lines of "Damn it, these things are not guidelines." >> >>>From my view it is true. I see it in conversations that go beyond the >>usual, "if you just stay within the power no one cares" to now where >>peop
Re: [WISPA] Widespread abuse of FCC rules, a list...was TV white spaces
Well this was an exiting day on the lists. I would find it hard to believe that the wisp industry is in worse shape now than before concerning abuse. 5 years ago when most were new and choices were far and few between, there was a lot of "pringles" type wisps. Hey, they were the inovators. But it's hard to believe that with the advent of cheap gear from many new players, I'd have ahard time believing that the vast majority of wisp gear is an fcc certified system or kit type product, such as a star or mt. I think we're building a mountain out of a mole hill in even suggesting that this an issue that has to be delt with. The industry has matured in a very positive way over the past few years. George This is NOT an official wispa stance or position, just my own. Patrick Leary wrote: Here are few raw comments that might fray some nerves: 1. The FCC is not a baby sitter. 2. Mature operators (and industries as a whole) follow the rules as a matter of course and expected cost of business. 3. You are not the public, you are commercial operators financially benefiting off the public's free spectrum and you off all users should thus be a responsible steward of that spectrum. 4. Those not following the rules have no ethical standing to complain about other illegal use, predatory competitors, lack of spectrum, etc. As someone who has argued for WISP compliance for years, I've certainly been alarmed by what I see as a new level of non-compliance. WISPs are now commonly assuming the FCC's lack of enforcement is tantamount to its approval of abuse. The general attitude is now that there is but one rule: "Don't exceed the power limitations." Everything else has become fair game. Here is a list of things I see that lend anecdotal evidence, if not actual, that abuse is reaching new levels: - many WISPs now believe it is no big deal to use 4.9 GHz to carry some commercial traffic (Hey, there's excess capacity so what's the big deal, right?...) - use of STA's to commercially use spectrum is openly being advocated (this is partially responsible for an over 6 month wait in STA filings) - illegal vendors now operate in the clear with prominent U.S. distribution (They must be legal if they have a store front and it only hurts other vendors anyway...) - "build your own base station" type Google ads are rampant Call me an alarmist, but this accelerating trend is disturbing and such attitudes easily even have the potential to infect safety issues (hey, OSHA rules must not be that big a deal either). We must all appreciate that many violating the rules do so out of ignorance, but that as an excuse. Groups like WISPA should take firm stands on subjects like this. You should strongly encourage compliance, lead the way and educate. You should fight the ignorance that allows for relativism and "creative interpretation" of the rules. You should also not cave to the hard luck excuses that "I'm a small guy and can't afford to follow the rules." (Your response to such should be to point to funding sources/advice or otherwise tell them that there is a minimum cost to legally participate in this business and that following FCC rules is a minimum expectation as responsible stewards of the public's free spectrum.) And finally, WISPs should not treat knowingly illegal operators as equals because in fact they are liabilities to you and the industry at large. And yes, of course I have skin in the game but that in no way alters anything here or devalues my comments. If anything, as a legal vendor with a long professional reputation of compliance and scores of legal operator partners, and as an individual who has been beating this drum for 7 years, it should only increase the weight of my comments. Sincerely, Patrick Leary AVP WISP Markets Alvarion, Inc. o: 650.314.2628 c: 760.580.0080 Vonage: 650.641.1243 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dawn DiPietro Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 9:26 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] TV white spaces All, Remember, it only takes a few bad apples to make the whole industry look bad. Think about that the next time anyone wants to complain about the rules. Regards, Dawn DiPietro Patrick Leary wrote: I hope it does go UL, but I have also heard some recent rumblings that the FCC is concerned with what seems like a widespread deterioration of WISPs following the rules. The phrase I recall is something along the lines of "Damn it, these things are not guidelines." From my view it is true. I see it in conversations that go beyond the usual, "if you just stay within the power no one cares" to now where people seem to via the STA process as a round-about tool to get access to and use spectrum that does not commercially exist. Letting loose the same level of abuse in the TV bands is something that will cause real problems for the FCC should broadcasters be affected. The WISP industry mus
Re: [WISPA] Widespread abuse of FCC rules, a list...was TV white spaces
Well said. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: "Patrick Leary" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "WISPA General List" Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 1:52 PM Subject: [WISPA] Widespread abuse of FCC rules, a list...was TV white spaces Here are few raw comments that might fray some nerves: 1. The FCC is not a baby sitter. 2. Mature operators (and industries as a whole) follow the rules as a matter of course and expected cost of business. 3. You are not the public, you are commercial operators financially benefiting off the public's free spectrum and you off all users should thus be a responsible steward of that spectrum. 4. Those not following the rules have no ethical standing to complain about other illegal use, predatory competitors, lack of spectrum, etc. As someone who has argued for WISP compliance for years, I've certainly been alarmed by what I see as a new level of non-compliance. WISPs are now commonly assuming the FCC's lack of enforcement is tantamount to its approval of abuse. The general attitude is now that there is but one rule: "Don't exceed the power limitations." Everything else has become fair game. Here is a list of things I see that lend anecdotal evidence, if not actual, that abuse is reaching new levels: - many WISPs now believe it is no big deal to use 4.9 GHz to carry some commercial traffic (Hey, there's excess capacity so what's the big deal, right?...) - use of STA's to commercially use spectrum is openly being advocated (this is partially responsible for an over 6 month wait in STA filings) - illegal vendors now operate in the clear with prominent U.S. distribution (They must be legal if they have a store front and it only hurts other vendors anyway...) - "build your own base station" type Google ads are rampant Call me an alarmist, but this accelerating trend is disturbing and such attitudes easily even have the potential to infect safety issues (hey, OSHA rules must not be that big a deal either). We must all appreciate that many violating the rules do so out of ignorance, but that as an excuse. Groups like WISPA should take firm stands on subjects like this. You should strongly encourage compliance, lead the way and educate. You should fight the ignorance that allows for relativism and "creative interpretation" of the rules. You should also not cave to the hard luck excuses that "I'm a small guy and can't afford to follow the rules." (Your response to such should be to point to funding sources/advice or otherwise tell them that there is a minimum cost to legally participate in this business and that following FCC rules is a minimum expectation as responsible stewards of the public's free spectrum.) And finally, WISPs should not treat knowingly illegal operators as equals because in fact they are liabilities to you and the industry at large. And yes, of course I have skin in the game but that in no way alters anything here or devalues my comments. If anything, as a legal vendor with a long professional reputation of compliance and scores of legal operator partners, and as an individual who has been beating this drum for 7 years, it should only increase the weight of my comments. Sincerely, Patrick Leary AVP WISP Markets Alvarion, Inc. o: 650.314.2628 c: 760.580.0080 Vonage: 650.641.1243 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dawn DiPietro Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 9:26 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] TV white spaces All, Remember, it only takes a few bad apples to make the whole industry look bad. Think about that the next time anyone wants to complain about the rules. Regards, Dawn DiPietro Patrick Leary wrote: I hope it does go UL, but I have also heard some recent rumblings that the FCC is concerned with what seems like a widespread deterioration of WISPs following the rules. The phrase I recall is something along the lines of "Damn it, these things are not guidelines." From my view it is true. I see it in conversations that go beyond the usual, "if you just stay within the power no one cares" to now where people seem to via the STA process as a round-about tool to get access to and use spectrum that does not commercially exist. Letting loose the same level of abuse in the TV bands is something that will cause real problems for the FCC should broadcasters be affected. The WISP industry must do a better job of policing itself and discouraging the slippery slope. Patrick Leary AVP WISP Markets Alvarion, Inc. o: 650.314.2628 c: 760.580.0080 Vonage: 650.641.1243 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jack Unger Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 11:22 PM To: WISPA General List Subjec
[WISPA] Widespread abuse of FCC rules, a list...was TV white spaces
Here are few raw comments that might fray some nerves: 1. The FCC is not a baby sitter. 2. Mature operators (and industries as a whole) follow the rules as a matter of course and expected cost of business. 3. You are not the public, you are commercial operators financially benefiting off the public's free spectrum and you off all users should thus be a responsible steward of that spectrum. 4. Those not following the rules have no ethical standing to complain about other illegal use, predatory competitors, lack of spectrum, etc. As someone who has argued for WISP compliance for years, I've certainly been alarmed by what I see as a new level of non-compliance. WISPs are now commonly assuming the FCC's lack of enforcement is tantamount to its approval of abuse. The general attitude is now that there is but one rule: "Don't exceed the power limitations." Everything else has become fair game. Here is a list of things I see that lend anecdotal evidence, if not actual, that abuse is reaching new levels: - many WISPs now believe it is no big deal to use 4.9 GHz to carry some commercial traffic (Hey, there's excess capacity so what's the big deal, right?...) - use of STA's to commercially use spectrum is openly being advocated (this is partially responsible for an over 6 month wait in STA filings) - illegal vendors now operate in the clear with prominent U.S. distribution (They must be legal if they have a store front and it only hurts other vendors anyway...) - "build your own base station" type Google ads are rampant Call me an alarmist, but this accelerating trend is disturbing and such attitudes easily even have the potential to infect safety issues (hey, OSHA rules must not be that big a deal either). We must all appreciate that many violating the rules do so out of ignorance, but that as an excuse. Groups like WISPA should take firm stands on subjects like this. You should strongly encourage compliance, lead the way and educate. You should fight the ignorance that allows for relativism and "creative interpretation" of the rules. You should also not cave to the hard luck excuses that "I'm a small guy and can't afford to follow the rules." (Your response to such should be to point to funding sources/advice or otherwise tell them that there is a minimum cost to legally participate in this business and that following FCC rules is a minimum expectation as responsible stewards of the public's free spectrum.) And finally, WISPs should not treat knowingly illegal operators as equals because in fact they are liabilities to you and the industry at large. And yes, of course I have skin in the game but that in no way alters anything here or devalues my comments. If anything, as a legal vendor with a long professional reputation of compliance and scores of legal operator partners, and as an individual who has been beating this drum for 7 years, it should only increase the weight of my comments. Sincerely, Patrick Leary AVP WISP Markets Alvarion, Inc. o: 650.314.2628 c: 760.580.0080 Vonage: 650.641.1243 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dawn DiPietro Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 9:26 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] TV white spaces All, Remember, it only takes a few bad apples to make the whole industry look bad. Think about that the next time anyone wants to complain about the rules. Regards, Dawn DiPietro Patrick Leary wrote: >I hope it does go UL, but I have also heard some recent rumblings that >the FCC is concerned with what seems like a widespread deterioration of >WISPs following the rules. The phrase I recall is something along the >lines of "Damn it, these things are not guidelines." > >>From my view it is true. I see it in conversations that go beyond the >usual, "if you just stay within the power no one cares" to now where >people seem to via the STA process as a round-about tool to get access >to and use spectrum that does not commercially exist. > >Letting loose the same level of abuse in the TV bands is something that >will cause real problems for the FCC should broadcasters be affected. > >The WISP industry must do a better job of policing itself and >discouraging the slippery slope. > >Patrick Leary >AVP WISP Markets >Alvarion, Inc. >o: 650.314.2628 >c: 760.580.0080 >Vonage: 650.641.1243 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >-Original Message- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >Behalf Of Jack Unger >Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 11:22 PM >To: WISPA General List >Subject: Re: [WISPA] TV white spaces > >Steve, > >I appreciate your insight into the possibility that license-exempt white > >space use might actually materialize. I very much hope that it does. > >jack > > >Steve Stroh wrote: > > >>Jack: >> >>Consider... >> >>To the television broadcasters, WISPs using this spectrum in a "we'll >> >> > > > >>stay out of the way of any television broadcasting activity" manner >> >>
