WASHINGTON-As part of an effort to spur the deployment of broadband services in airplanes, the Federal Communications Commission said it would auction spectrum in both the 800 MHz air-to-ground band and the 400 MHz general-aviation band, but only will give small businesses bidding credits in the 800 MHz auction.
The agency said it plans to auction the air-to-ground spectrum using a new format of combinatorial bidding.
The commission said it also is requiring incumbent Verizon Airfone to submit detailed transition reports as the carrier moves from offering service over four megahertz of spectrum to one megahertz, as required by the FCC. However, the agency did not shorten Verizon Airfone’s transition time. Verizon Airfone is set to receive a five-year non-renewable license for one of the four megahertz of spectrum to transition its service, but eventually must give that up too. However, the carrier could place a winning bid to continue offering service.
The two Democrats on the panel continued to express fears that a monopoly for air-to-ground services could be created. “I remain concerned that America’s aviation industry and its passengers will not have the full range of choices in air-to-ground broadband that they might otherwise have enjoyed,” said FCC Commissioner Michael Copps.
FCC rules do not allow one entity to control all four megahertz of ATG spectrum, although a company could control three megahertz.
Even with all of the rule changes to the ATG band, the use of transmitting devices for data or voice can be tricky. The Consumer Electronics Association has been working with airlines and manufacturers to see if there is a way to call out users who are transmitting. Transmitting devices can include personal digital assistants and laptops with unlicensed wireless access chips.
The use of transmitting devices that work outside of the ATG band-such as phones that can call over cellular networks-must still be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. However, the FCC is considering relaxing those rules. The FAA said in July that it would continue to ban cell phones on airplanes.
Citing safety concerns and passenger confusion, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA wants the FCC and the FAA to maintain the cell phone ban.
