Fiber Tower has requested a waiver of FCC rules requiring the use of 1.22-meter or larger dishes in the 10.7 to 11.7 GHz band. Rising customer demand for broadband services will increase the need for the cell phone base station backhaul services it provides, according to FiberTower.
The smaller--and less expensive-- 0.61-meter antennas "will permit more practical installation at sites incapable of supporting 1.22-meter antennas...and prompt new competition over a broad range of services, including wireless local loop, T-1 transport and broadband Internet access," according to FiberTower, adding that allowing the optional use of 0.61-meter dishes in the 11 GHz band "will promote efficient use of the spectrum."
Comments on the waiver request must be filed on or before Feb. 3, 2005. Reply comments are due on or before Feb. 14, 2005. For more information, refer to the FCC Public Notice - Wireless Telecommunications Bureau seeks comment on FiberTower, Inc. request for waiver of Sections 101.103 and 101.115 of the Commission's rules to permit the use of 0.61-meter antennas in the 10.7 - 11.7 GHz band.
