Mac:
Aren't you one of those who wants to see dedicated "WISP Spectrum"
become available, like 3650 or television broadcast whitespace?
Do you think there's an incentive by the regulators to grant such
spectrum exclusively to WISPs, when, as "professionals" you know
about such behavior, and do nothing? For the regulators to create
WISP-only spectrum would be seen as overtly supporting "more of the
same bad behavior"?
WISPA... of, by, and for WISPs, could take on some of these bad
players as peers.
Here's how I see it potentially working:
1) You suspect a bad player is operating in your immediate area
2) You gather as much information as you can - put together a BRIEF
report documenting what you REALLY know - hard facts like data from
spectrum analyzer, photos of towers and/or radios that aren't legal,
lat/long of known base stations, etc.
3) You present this to the WISPA "bad players" committee
4) WISPA "bad players committee" convenes to discuss whether or not
you may well have a case of interference. The "bad players committee"
only has the time and budget available to proceed with a handful of
such cases per year.
5) IF the "bad players committee" agrees with your conclusions, they
select a volunteer to come to your area to provide independent
verification as to whether the "bad player" is really operating
illegally. Said volunteer is compensated at least minimally - travel
expenses, hotel, a SMALL stipend, all paid for out of a WISPA budget
6) If the volunteer agrees with you, then the "bad players committee"
creates a formal complaint to the FCC field office nearest the
suspected violation with documentation, certification of the
independent volunteer that in their direct observations and
professional opinion, there's reasonable suspicion that the bad
player is operating illegally. The complaint is submitted with the
full force of WISPA,.
7) WISPA follows up; if the FCC investigates, then all is well. If
the FCC deigns not to investigate, WISPA can escalate - possibly
press releases, etc. WISPA needs to hold the FCC accountable for
following through on the very few cases of "suspected illegal WISP
operations" that WISPA refers to the FCC.
As I see it, this process has sufficient checks and balances, and
involves WISPA to the point where WISPA can provide "cover". It's
still small-scale enough for the "we're just a bunch of small guys
with limited resources" nature of WISPA and its limited budget.
Having WISPA deal with the FCC only after internal vetting and
developing reasonable grounds for suspicion removes the potential for
an individual WISP to "tick off the FCC" thinking that they're just
whining about a competitor and the FCC's initial attitude of "it's
unlicensed spectrum, what do you EXPECT?!?!?!"
I'm sure that WISPA can get some expert advice about the wording for
the formal referral to the FCC to the effect that WISPA isn't
complaining about interference issues (which, everyone operating
under Part 15 must accept) but rather WISPA is reporting suspected
illegal, high-profile operations in violation of FCC Part 15 rules.
The FCC doesn't have the resources for wild-goose chases, but if you
really do your homework and the FCC can be reasonably sure that they
won't be wasting their time, then they are much more likely to act.
Thanks,
Steve
On Feb 8, 2007, at Feb 8 07:49 AM, Mac Dearman wrote:
Marty,
That was not a "dig" :-) No offense intended. I agree 100% with
what you
said and most of what Patrick "generally" has to say. (That aint no
dig
either Patrick) hehehe
I was just picking on my brother Leary!!
As far as UL operators - it is no different for us than it is in
any other
arena in the world. If there are limits placed there will always be
those
who try to exceed that ir-regardless of how they are generally hurting
themselves. It is not just in the UL spectrum we see this - - it's
in every
avenue of life. I didn't say that made it OK - I am saying that it
inevitable!
It is true that a few bad potatoes can ruin the whole basket, but
that is
just life I guess. All we can really do is build our networks in
accordance
to the current Part 15 rules. I also realize that not all of our
systems are
not certified by Patrick's definition, but as long as we attempt to
build
one that "could be" certified by matching the correct antennas with
the
correct radios, maintain legal limits and good judgment through
manufacturers papers - we will all be OK.
I have a WISP in my area that is running two towers with 2 watt
Hyperlink
amps at the 12db Omni's. Believe me - I know about jack ass
operators and
detest that type of operator. It really shows ignorance to pull such a
stunt, but these types of operators know absolutely nothing anyway.
Once
again - what we are doing and tolerating is nothing new - - these
type folks
are everywhere in everything and every business in life - - just look
around!
Mac
---
Steve Stroh
425-939-0076 | [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Writing about BWIA again! - www.bwianews.com
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