Consumer groups rally for smaller Priority Access Licenses

A group of entities calling themselves the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) [including the Benton Foundation] is urging the Federal Communications Commission to stick to its original rules for the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) for the 3.5 GHz spectrum, arguing that larger licensed areas will undermine the goal of the small-cell innovation band.  PISC, whose members include the Open Technology Institute at New America, Public Knowledge and the American Library Association, among others, reiterated in a May 30 letter the importance of retaining small license areas with short terms and competitive renewal processes. They want the FCC to stick to the rules that had the Priority Access Licenses (PALs) based on census tracts. They’re also voicing concern about reports that at least one FCC commissioner is encouraging industry stakeholders to accept the so-called “compromise” struck between national (CTIA) and regional (CCA) mobile carriers—one they say that would ultimately undermine the most robust and innovative uses of the band.