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Getting an FCC license is a relatively simple matter. Generally speaking, there are two types of licenses, regional and fixed, point-to-point. Regional licenses get all the publicity because of the millions that carriers bid at FCC auctions in order to control certain frequencies in their markets. By contrast, the total cost for a point-to-point, private-user license is under $3,000, and it's good for ten years with options to renew.
More good news. There's no shortage of available point-to-point frequencies, not even in midtown Manhattan. Better still, any corporate, public or private organization can get a license to operate a microwave link, provided the license is properly applied for.
Here's an overview of the process. First, we gather some basic information for our frequency management firm. That information includes geographic coordinates, building heights and ground elevations, along with the make and model of your microwave radio and antenna. The frequency management firm logs onto the FCC database to select and reserve a set of frequencies for your exclusive use. This is known as "frequency coordination".
Once the frequencies are coordinated, there's a thirty day public notice ("PCN") period. This is the time that another licensee could voice his concern if he believes that a mistake in coordination may have been made, thereby creating the potential for interference. Chiefly owing to the innocuous, low power bands we use, we've never had anyone object to a pending license application. It also helps to spend a bit more for a top quality frequency management firm.
A common scare tactic with unlicensed promoters is to make a big to-do about "the need to get a license", suggesting time delays and bureaucratic snafus. On the contrary, getting a license is a short bit of work and well worth the time for the protection and peace of mind that it affords.
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