The FCC at its March 13 agenda meeting will consider a notice of ...

The FCC at its March 13 agenda meeting will consider a notice of inquiry on the possibility of receiver performance requirements. Last fall, the Commission’s Spectrum Policy Task Force had included receiver performance requirements among its policy recommendations. The agenda item involves the possibility of “incorporating receiver interference immunity performance specifications into its spectrum policy on a broader basis.” The task force last fall had recommended the FCC consider receiver performance requirements, using incentives, regulatory mandates or a combination of the 2, although it said it preferred voluntary performance requirements over mandates. Those could either be handled by industry groups or through incentives to promote the use of advanced receivers, it said. Separately, the FCC will take up a rulemaking and order involving changes in the service rules for the Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) and Instructional TV Fixed Service (ITFS). Last year, MDS and ITFS licensees had submitted proposed regulatory changes to the FCC that they said would do away with a “broadcast style” approach to regulating their spectrum. They sought changes to help expedite the deployment of next- generation systems for wireless broadband. Also at the agenda meeting, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau will outline the FCC’s new Sec. 504 Programs & Activities Accessibility Handbook, which the agency recently adopted in line with its compliance with the Rehabilitation Act. The Commission also will consider a report and order on electronic filing of applications and forms for the Multichannel Video and Cable TV Service and the Cable TV Relay Service.