FCC Ruling Allows Qualcomm to Expand MediaFLO Offering
The FCC approved the applications of Qualcomm to expand its MediaFLO service in 6 U.S. markets, including the key markets of N.Y., L.A. and Chicago. In each case, Qualcomm had to work out agreements with local broadcasters since expected interference will be slightly higher than the levels allowed by the FCC last Oct. in a waiver order (CD Oct 13 p3).
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Export Compliance Daily combines U.S. export control news, foreign border import regulation and policy developments into a single daily information service that reliably informs its trade professional readers about important current issues affecting their operations.
MediaFLO plans to offer live mobile video on up to 15 channels, using spectrum licensees it purchased to make use of TV channel 55, which is Block D in the Lower 700 MHz band. Verizon Wireless is already offering MediaFLO in 29 markets and AT&T plans to start offering the service in Q4.
“We're grateful to the FCC for the strong support that they've shown for MediaFLO,” Dean Brenner, Vp for govt. affairs for Qualcomm, told us: “The rulings along with prior rulings will allow us to expand MediaFLO by enlarging the footprint in the existing markets and in bringing MediaFLO to new markets.” Since the waiver was granted, MediaFLO has filed 27 applications in reliance on the order and all have been granted, Brenner said.
In N.Y., for example, MediaFLO has one transmitter on the air. Mon.’s approval allows the company to operate 2 additional transmitters plus 2 on Long Island and 2 in N.J. “If you look at a coverage map you would just see the circle get much, much bigger… and the service is more robust as we're allowed to expand the footprint,” Brenner said. In the L.A., area, the company has a transmitter within that city and a 2nd in Palm Springs. With the clearance, the one L.A. transmitter can be brought up to full power and a 2nd added.
The FCC had to find in each case that approving the application was in the public interest. “As Qualcomm notes, MediaFLO will be affordable, readily available and will stimulate new development on a large scale within the emerging technology of mobile video,” the Commission said, commenting on the N.Y. license: “Given that Qualcomm’s business plan calls for an investment of $800 million, grant of this application will contribute to the growth of the American economy.”