**PUBLIC NOTICE**![](media/image1.png){width="0.6541666666666667in"
height="0.6604166666666667in"}

**Federal Communications Commission**

**445 12th St., S.W.**

**Washington, D.C. 20554**

**DA 01-1738**

**WIRELESS TELECOM ACTION July 26, 2001**

**COMMENTS INVITED ON ARIZONA (REGION 3)**

**PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN AMENDMENT**

**(PR DOCKET NO. 91-143)**

# Comment Date: August 27, 2001 Reply Date: September 11, 2001

On May 25, 2001, we received an amendment request from the Arizona
(Region 3) Regional Review Committee proposing to amend its
821-824/866-869 MHz (800 MHz) Public Safety Plan. In accordance with the
Public Safety National Plan, each region is responsible for planning its
use of public safety radio frequency spectrum in the 800 MHz bands.[^1]
The Public Safety Plan for Region 3 governs the use of 800 MHz spectrum
assignments within Arizona. The Plan was adopted by the Commission on
September 4, 1991,[^2] subsequently revised by letter on May 24, 1995,
and by public notice on November 6, 1998.[^3] The instant plan amendment
request includes a revision of the allocation of 800 MHz frequencies to
accommodate both current, wide-band analog users and new, narrow-band
digital users. This proposal would provide additional channels for users
in Maricopa County while assuring that there are no harmful effects to
other Arizona users. With the exception of the relocation of Arizona
Mutual Aid Channel 6, there are no changes outside of Maricopa County.

The proposal separates the channel allocations in Maricopa County into
three partitions.

-   16 kHz analog channels at the low and high end of the allocated
    channels for use in the Maricopa County network.

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-   12.5 kHz digital channels in the middle of the allocated channels
    for use in the Phoenix-Mesa metropolitan area.

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-   Mutual aid channels.

The effect of the partitioning moves the wideband analog channels away
from the narrowband digital channels in the Phoenix-Mesa area. With the
wideband channels split between the ends of the band, they have less
adjacent channel interference with themselves and no interference with
the narrowband channels, thus generating more usable channels. With the
proposed allocation, the number of narrow band channels available in the
Phoenix-Mesa area increases from 91 to 123 and the number of wideband
channels increases from 59 to 66. Also, the Arizona Region
interoperability Channel 6 would move from channel 603 to channel 602,
and use of this channel would be restricted to prevent interference to
an existing station in Southern California, Region 5. The amendment
request includes concurrences from the surrounding Regions 5,[^4] 7,[^5]
27,[^6] 29[^7] and 41.[^8]

The Commission is soliciting comments from the public before taking
action on this proposed plan amendment. Copies of the Region 3 amendment
request may be viewed at the Commission's Reference Information Center,
445 12^th^ Street, S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. Copies
may also be obtained from the Commission's copy contractor,
International Transcriptions Services, (ITS), which is located at 1231
20^th^ St., N.W., Washington, D.C. ITS may be contacted by phone at
(202) 857-3800. The Region 3 amendment request may also be viewed
on-line by accessing the Commission's Electronic Comments Filing System
(ECFS) at [http://izzy.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/s a]{.underline}/ and
initiating a search of records for WT Docket Number 91-143.

> Interested parties may file comments to the proposed amendment on or
> before August 27, 2001, and reply comments on or before September 11,
> 2001. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment
> Filing System (ECFS), *see* Electronic Filing of Documents in
> Rulemaking Proceedings, *Report and Order*, GC Docket No. 97-113, 13
> FCC Rcd 11322 (1998), or by filing paper copies. Commenters who submit
> by paper should send an original and five copies of comments to the
> Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12^th^ St., S.W.,
> Room TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. Commenters should clearly
> identify all comments and reply comments, whether submitted
> electronically or as paper copies, as submissions to WT Docket 91-143
> Region 3 Public Safety Plan amendment request. Comments filed through
> the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to
> \<http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html\>. Generally, only one copy of
> an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal
> screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service
> mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number.
> Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To
> get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send
> e-mails to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the
> body of the message, \"get form \<your e-mail address\>.\" A sample
> form and directions will be sent in reply.

Questions regarding this public notice may be directed to Ms. Joy
Alford, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, (202) 418-0694, TTY (202)
418-7233, or via email at jalford@fcc.gov.

-- FCC --

[^1]: ^ ^ ^   ?^ Development and Implementation of a Public Safety
    National Plan and Amendment of Part 90 to Establish Service Rules
    and Technical Standards for Use of the 821-824/866-869 MHz Bands by
    the Public Safety Services, GN Docket No. 87-112, *Report and
    Order,* 3 FCC Rcd 905 (1987).

[^2]: ^?^ Arizona Public Safety Plan, PR Docket No. 91-143, *Order*, 6
    FCC Rcd 5335 (PRB 1991).

[^3]: ^?^ Arizona (Region 3) Public Safety Committee Receives Approval
    For Minor Amendment To Its Regional Public Safety Plan, PR Docket
    No. 91-143, *Public Notice*, 13 FCC Rcd 22460 (WTB 1998).

[^4]: ^?^ Adjoining Region 5 encompasses southern California.

[^5]: ^?^ Adjoining Region 7 encompasses the State of Colorado.

[^6]: ^?^ Adjoining Region 27 encompasses the State of Nevada.

[^7]: ^?^ Adjoining Region 29 encompasses the State of New Mexico.

[^8]: ^?^ Adjoining Region 41 encompasses the State of Utah.