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Apple and community networks
``` [For quite a while now, RRE has been tracking a proposal before the FCC to allocate spectrum, the so-called "NII band", for low-power digital devices. Apple Computer has been the most visible sponsor of this proposal. Although they are clearly mostly interested in wireless LAN types of applications, they have enlisted the help of the community networking world, on the grounds that these devices are very good for getting Internet access to communities with low telephone penetration or lousy infrastructure. Most recently I forwarded a FARNET summary of the FCC's most recent step in these proceedings. Now Gordon Cook, whose reporting on directions on NII architecture I've been quoting heavily on RRE lately, claims that Apple has sold out the community networking people by not following through with support for NII band applications at the power levels that are needed in communities. Here he summarizes his evidence. Community and educational applications need this spectrum badly, and its loss would be a tragedy.]
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Date: Mon, 29 Apr 1996 22:01:19 -0400
From: Gordon Cook
Just as I sat down to dinner I received a phone call from a very preturbed Jim Burger Senior Director for Government Affairs Apple Computer. Why had I written that Apple had sold out community networks in the NII band wireless proceedings before the FCC when no such thing had happened and Apple had not abandoned its support of community networks one iota? What needed to be done was that the public interest community should get together behind Apple and its well know support of community networks and tell the FCC that it was what we wanted. Then the commissioners would see the errors in their thinking. I told Jim that I had heard that apple after Jim lovettes original proposal had submitted nothing more to the FCC and had left the FCC with no choice but to embrace WinForum. Jim denied this.
I told Jim that I would do some furher checking with my sources.
Jim I have done so: Are you telling me that one tenth of a watt at 5 Ghz within walls, high speed is a community network? This is what the FCC agreed to support. On Feb 29 1996 winforum and apple filed with the FCC a document which said they now agreed with each other and listed rules that they would support jointly. Win forum and Apple cut a deal. It is there and a matter of public record.
As a matter of policy when Apple submitted Lovette's proposals to the FCC, apple was required to follow up with a technical document explaining HOW to do so. The FCC will not support an end goal when there is no technical explanation of how to get there.
*Apple never submitted this document.* If it had done so, it would have been a part of the public record
Why was there was was no separate information given to the FCC on how to do the 15 kilometer stuff? Could I be forgiven for thinking that it was because apple and winforum had decided the technical underpinnings on the 15 kilometers were not necessary. That community networking was not necessary? One tenth of a watt. 5 giga hertz within walls, high speed LANs. Is THIS what apple calls community networking!?
Either apple had better come forward with the technical support for the original 15 km concept, or it had better step aside and let someone else do so. A simple question Jim: If Apple really does support community networking will it NOW belatedly submitt the technical underpinnings of how to do so in time for the Notice of Proposed Rule Making? Yes or no?
Ben Cobb in the press conference was the first person to use the word community networking What happens to the 15 km Cobb wanted to know? Well it will probably be auctioned off to the highest bidder said Commissioner Smith.
Jim does Apple think it is the FCC's fault? Then say so.... On record that it should have been the FCC's responsibility not Apple's to come forward with a technical proposal for community networking. Does Apple blame the FFC for ignoring your tecnical suggestions or did you never provide them to begin with? Does Apple contend that the 1/10 watt with a building somehow is going to serve community?
A complete report on what happened, and what was said at the public FCC
meeting approving the going-ahead of the rulemaking process is at New
Signals Publishing web site
I URGE READERS TO LOOK AT BENN COB'S MATERIAL!
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The COOK Report on Internet Individ. hard copy $150 431 Greenway Ave, Ewing, NJ 08618 USA Small Corp & Gov't $200 (609) 882-2572 Corporate $350 Internet: cook@cookreport.com Corporate Site Lic. $650 http://pobox.com/cook/ for new COOK Report Glossary of Internet terms
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Date: Mon, 29 Apr 1996 23:02:13 -0400
Reply-To: com-priv@lists.psi.com
To: Multiple recipients of list
Apologies to Ben Kobb whose name is not spelled Cobb.
trying to do to much in too short a period of time.....
Richard Smith is the Chief of the Office of Engineering and technology of the FCC. He is the responsible staffer, the engineering top dog. He presided over the news conference. He is not a commssioner and no commissioners were there.
The long range (15 km) "could and likely would be licensed and could be auctionable." said Smith.
They (FCC) are proposing LOW POWER in both bands...50 to 100 meters They will only ask for comment about longer range networks. There is no technical proposal for long range (10 to 15km) networks for people to comment on.
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The COOK Report on Internet Individ. hard copy $150 431 Greenway Ave, Ewing, NJ 08618 USA Small Corp & Gov't $200 (609) 882-2572 Corporate $350 Internet: cook@cookreport.com Corporate Site Lic. $650 http://pobox.com/cook/ for new COOK Report Glossary of Internet terms
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