FCC Posts Agenda for Aug. 6 Open Meeting

True to chairman Tom Wheeler's vow, the FCC has posted its "tentative agenda" for its next open meeting on Aug. 6, including spectrum auction rulemaking.

"Incentive Auction Procedures" and "Mobile Spectrum Holdings"  – the two topics deleted from this week's schedule - are on the August calendar.

In addition, the Commission plans to examine the related topics of "Unlicensed Operations in TV Bands and 600 MHz Band" and "Wireless Microphones."  The former looks at a report and order to adopt technical and operational rules for unlicensed services, including wireless microphone operations, in the broadcast television bands and in the post-incentive auction 600 MHz band. The rules are intended to maximize unlicensed access to spectrum while ensuring that licensed services are protected from harmful interference.

For the "Wireless Microphone" issue, the Commission will consider a Report and Order that adopts a plan to accommodate the long-term needs of wireless microphone users by providing new opportunities for their use in the broadcast television bands and in several other frequency bands.

The agenda also includes "Emerging Wireline Networks and Services"  and "Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications," both of which deal with the Internet Protocol transition.

Gary Arlen

Contributor Gary Arlen is known for his insights into the convergence of media, telecom, content and technology. Gary was founder/editor/publisher of Interactivity Report, TeleServices Report and other influential newsletters; he was the longtime “curmudgeon” columnist for Multichannel News as well as a regular contributor to AdMap, Washington Technology and Telecommunications Reports. He writes regularly about trends and media/marketing for the Consumer Technology Association's i3 magazine plus several blogs. Gary has taught media-focused courses on the adjunct faculties at George Mason University and American University and has guest-lectured at MIT, Harvard, UCLA, University of Southern California and Northwestern University and at countless media, marketing and technology industry events. As President of Arlen Communications LLC, he has provided analyses about the development of applications and services for entertainment, marketing and e-commerce.