I have had equipment
deployed on a local water tank for
about the last two years. The setup has been sectorized and using 3
120
degree 2.4 GHz channels since we deployed. I also have 4 5.8 GHz links
running and one 5.3 GHz. Basically this site is vital to my network
and I
have used a large chunk of the unlicensed spectrum.
About a year ago another
company deployed a 5.8 GHz backhaul
link and a 2.4 GHz omni on the residence that is approximately 100
yards away
from the tank. Their initial deployment created 2.4 GHz interference
with
my existing customers and I squeezed my existing sectorized channels
together
to get away from it. I’ve been using 4, 7, and 11 while they have
been deployed on 1.
In the past I have used a
spectrum analyzer to evaluate the
signals from both my site and theirs. I believe all of my equipment is
running right at 36 dB as allowed by law for point to multipoint. When
measured with the same antenna from the same distance, their signal is
approximately 7 dB higher than mine. In addition to the excessive
power
it also appears the amp they are using is dirty and the channel width
is wider
than anything I am running.
Their initial deployment
really upset me as their lack of
engineering judgment or just plain stupidity created issues for my
customers
who had reliable links before. I couldn’t believe that anyone would
choose to deploy 2.4 GHz within a hundred yards of an existing
installation
that was already using the entire spectrum. I have tolerated the
situation and dealt with the interference on my lower channel by over
engineering any links to that sector. I have also had my backhaul link
performance intermittently knocked off line after they changed channels
on
their 5.8 GHz equipment.
During the backhaul
interference issue I contacted the
company and give them credit for working with me to resolve the issue.
During that conversation they informed me they were more than willing
to
coordinate with me and would notify me if they were changing channels.
Over the last few weeks I
have been fighting with numerous
troublesome client connections on two different sectors that had been
running
without issue. Today I went to the tank to upgrade the remaining 2
APPO
units to a StarOS WRAP setup in an effort to improve performance.
When I arrived I found
that my competitor has now installed
a 50 ft. pole and has deployed an additional 4 radios on it. Needless
to
say I immediately understood why so many of my customers were
experiencing
issues. I also see that the competitor was really sincere about
contacting me around channel usage.
My questions are what are
my legal options, has anyone dealt
with this type of situation before (deployment within 100 yards), and
what kind
of lawyer should I contact (any referrals are welecome)? With the
current
heavy usage of spectrum at this site I do not believe there is any
option of
let’s play nice and coordinate channels. There aren’t any left
to coordinate and they were all used before they deployed. I don’t
feel I have any option but legal action.
From past list
discussions I am under the impression that
there may be the non FCC involved option of filing “interfering with my
ability to conduct business” suit. Any comments on this would be
greatly appreciated.
I also believe I may have
recourse with the FCC. I am
confident they are exceeding the legal EIRP on their amped omni as one
issue. I also question if their behavior could be construed as
intentionally
causing interference. Knowingly deploying within 100 yards of an
existing
site that is already utilizing the spectrum seems to create a situation
that
can not avoid interference. If they didn’t know at the time of
their initial deployment they were made aware of exactly what spectrum
was
being used since via voice and email exchanges. Even if they are not
competent enough to use a spectrum analyzer they had been informed of
both the
existing and potential for further interference issues before the
deployment of
the new additional 4 radios I found today. I’m not really sure I
want to go down this path but again I don’t believe they have left me
any
other options. How do I begin a conversation with the FCC related to
this
situation?
Any and all comments
would be greatly appreciated.
Todd Barber
Skylink Broadband Internet
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
970-454-9499