I like that idea Steve. In a way some of us have already been doing this.
I've ALWAYS offered to talk to anyone's competitors if they think it'll help
to have an outsider involved. Few have ever taken me up on the offer
though.
I think your idea for a wispa committee to investigate is a good one. I
think one more step should be added though. The WISPA committee should
FIRST try to contact the offending wisp and if that leads to nothing we'd
work toward a formal FCC action.
I'm guessing that we'd have great support from the FCC's enforcement
division if we'd follow the steps you've outlined.
Do you guys think that I should contact some of the enforcement folks at the
FCC and float the idea?
Anyone willing to put together a 3 to 5 member committee to accomplish this?
laters,
marlon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Stroh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 8:47 AM
Subject: [WISPA] Re: Dealing with bad players (was SPAM ?...)
Mac:
Aren't you one of those who wants to see dedicated "WISP Spectrum" become
available, like 3650 or television broadcast whitespace?
Do you think there's an incentive by the regulators to grant such
spectrum exclusively to WISPs, when, as "professionals" you know about
such behavior, and do nothing? For the regulators to create WISP-only
spectrum would be seen as overtly supporting "more of the same bad
behavior"?
WISPA... of, by, and for WISPs, could take on some of these bad players
as peers.
Here's how I see it potentially working:
1) You suspect a bad player is operating in your immediate area
2) You gather as much information as you can - put together a BRIEF
report documenting what you REALLY know - hard facts like data from
spectrum analyzer, photos of towers and/or radios that aren't legal,
lat/long of known base stations, etc.
3) You present this to the WISPA "bad players" committee
4) WISPA "bad players committee" convenes to discuss whether or not you
may well have a case of interference. The "bad players committee" only
has the time and budget available to proceed with a handful of such cases
per year.
5) IF the "bad players committee" agrees with your conclusions, they
select a volunteer to come to your area to provide independent
verification as to whether the "bad player" is really operating
illegally. Said volunteer is compensated at least minimally - travel
expenses, hotel, a SMALL stipend, all paid for out of a WISPA budget
6) If the volunteer agrees with you, then the "bad players committee"
creates a formal complaint to the FCC field office nearest the suspected
violation with documentation, certification of the independent volunteer
that in their direct observations and professional opinion, there's
reasonable suspicion that the bad player is operating illegally. The
complaint is submitted with the full force of WISPA,.
7) WISPA follows up; if the FCC investigates, then all is well. If the
FCC deigns not to investigate, WISPA can escalate - possibly press
releases, etc. WISPA needs to hold the FCC accountable for following
through on the very few cases of "suspected illegal WISP operations" that
WISPA refers to the FCC.
As I see it, this process has sufficient checks and balances, and
involves WISPA to the point where WISPA can provide "cover". It's still
small-scale enough for the "we're just a bunch of small guys with limited
resources" nature of WISPA and its limited budget. Having WISPA deal with
the FCC only after internal vetting and developing reasonable grounds for
suspicion removes the potential for an individual WISP to "tick off the
FCC" thinking that they're just whining about a competitor and the FCC's
initial attitude of "it's unlicensed spectrum, what do you EXPECT?!?!?!"
I'm sure that WISPA can get some expert advice about the wording for the
formal referral to the FCC to the effect that WISPA isn't complaining
about interference issues (which, everyone operating under Part 15 must
accept) but rather WISPA is reporting suspected illegal, high-profile
operations in violation of FCC Part 15 rules. The FCC doesn't have the
resources for wild-goose chases, but if you really do your homework and
the FCC can be reasonably sure that they won't be wasting their time,
then they are much more likely to act.
Thanks,
Steve
On Feb 8, 2007, at Feb 8 07:49 AM, Mac Dearman wrote:
Marty,
That was not a "dig" :-) No offense intended. I agree 100% with what
you
said and most of what Patrick "generally" has to say. (That aint no dig
either Patrick) hehehe
I was just picking on my brother Leary!!
As far as UL operators - it is no different for us than it is in any
other
arena in the world. If there are limits placed there will always be
those
who try to exceed that ir-regardless of how they are generally hurting
themselves. It is not just in the UL spectrum we see this - - it's in
every
avenue of life. I didn't say that made it OK - I am saying that it
inevitable!
It is true that a few bad potatoes can ruin the whole basket, but that
is
just life I guess. All we can really do is build our networks in
accordance
to the current Part 15 rules. I also realize that not all of our systems
are
not certified by Patrick's definition, but as long as we attempt to
build
one that "could be" certified by matching the correct antennas with the
correct radios, maintain legal limits and good judgment through
manufacturers papers - we will all be OK.
I have a WISP in my area that is running two towers with 2 watt
Hyperlink
amps at the 12db Omni's. Believe me - I know about jack ass operators
and
detest that type of operator. It really shows ignorance to pull such a
stunt, but these types of operators know absolutely nothing anyway. Once
again - what we are doing and tolerating is nothing new - - these type
folks
are everywhere in everything and every business in life - - just look
around!
Mac
---
Steve Stroh
425-939-0076 | [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Writing about BWIA again! - www.bwianews.com
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