FCC Authorizes TDD Equipment Use for Upper 700 MHz A Block

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted authorization for the deployment of time division duplex (TDD) equipment in the Upper 700 MHz A Block, paving the way for companies who hold licenses in that spectrum to move forward with the development of related applications.

The call for increased spectrum access stems from technology companies who are developing products that require increased airwave utilization. The FCC approval of TDD equipment is an important step for the development of such technologies, which may include machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions, smart grid technology and other wireless applications.

The A Block, comprising one megahertz paired, is an unencumbered portion of the 700 MHz band of the wireless spectrum that offers coverage to all 52 major economic areas in the country.

TDD equipment uses a single frequency for both transmission and reception. The FCC decision suggests that tests conducted last year revealed that the equipment will not cause harmful interference to devices in neighboring parts of the spectrum.

That’s good news for Access Spectrum, which holds wireless spectrum licenses in the upper 700 MHz A block.

“This approval demonstrates that the equipment complies with the regulatory technical rules that apply to the A Block,” said Michael Gottdenker, chairman and chief executive of Access Spectrum.  “The development of this equipment helps to illustrate the wide range and variety of technologies that can be deployed by technology companies, critical infrastructure enterprises and government entities that are in need of wireless spectrum to deploy any number of cutting edge technologies.”

Access Spectrum submitted its plan to the FCC to receive spectrum authorization, a process that required a field test in March 2013, laboratory testing in Autumn 2013, and documentation by Access Spectrum and Full Spectrum, a TDD technology supplier.

“We are thrilled that the FCC has confirmed that Full Spectrum’s TDD equipment can operate in accordance with the technical rules governing the Upper 700 MHz A Block,” said Stewart Kantor, chief executive officer, Full Spectrum. “We welcome the possibility of working with the growing number of innovative companies who are seeking greater access to available spectrum to develop and bring to market new products and services.”