**DA-02-3497**

**December 31, 2002**

**700 MHz PUBLIC SAFETY BAND GENERAL USE CHANNELS -- ANNOUNCEMENT DOCKET
NUMBER FOR FILINGS RELATED TO regional planS**

**WT Docket No. 02-378**

By this *Public Notice*, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
announces the establishment of a separate docket, WT Docket No. 02-378,
to be used exclusively for filings related to the Commission's review
and approval of regional plans or amendments thereto regarding the 12.5
megahertz of spectrum in the 764-776 and 794-806 MHz band (700 MHz
public safety band) designated for general use.[^1]

By way of background, in 1998, the Commission adopted a band plan for
the 700 MHz public safety band, and established a structure to allow
regional planning committees (RPCs) maximum flexibility to meet state
and local needs, encourage innovative use of the spectrum, and
accommodate new and as yet unanticipated developments in technology and
equipment.[^2] There are fifty-five RPCs and each committee is required
to submit its plan for the general use spectrum. Each regional plan must
contain certain elements[^3] and must be coordinated with adjacent
regions.[^4] Regional plans and plan amendments must be submitted to the
Commission for review and approval. In developing their regional plans,
RPCs should ensure that their proposed plans comply with the rules and
policies governing the 700 MHz public safety regional planning
process.[^5] We also encourage the RPCs to consider utilizing the
guidelines developed by the Public Safety National Coordinating
Committee (NCC).[^6]

*Submission of Regional Plans.* A cover letter signed by the RPC
Chairman must accompany the submission and clearly identify in its
subject line the WT Docket Number 02-378 and Region number. *Example:*
WTB Docket No. 02-378, Region xx -- 700 MHz Regional Plan. Once an RPC
has finished its proposed plan or amendment thereto, the RPC Chairman
should file an original and five copies of the plan with the Office of
the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12^th^ Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20554. Alternatively, the RPC Chairman may file its plan
or amendment electronically using the Commission's Electronic Comment
Filing System (ECFS).[^7] In addition, the RPC Chairman should send a
copy of the submission via e-mail to Jeannie Benfaida
[jbenfaid@fcc.gov](mailto:jalford@fcc.gov) of the Public Safety and
Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

*Notice and Comment.* A regional plan will be initially reviewed and
accepted, or rejected with an explanation.[^8] Accepted plans will be
placed on public notice for comment. The Commission solicits comments
from the public before taking final action on any proposed regional plan
or regional plan amendment. The full text of the all Regional plans,
requests for review and amendment, comments and reply comments, will be
available for inspection and duplication during regular business hours
in the Reference Information Center (RIC) of the Consumer Information
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W.,
CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. Copies may also be purchased from the
Commission's duplicating contractor, Qualex International, Portals II,
445 12^th^ Street, S.W. Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554,
(202)-863-2893, facsimile (202) 863-2898, or via-e-mail
<qualexint@aol.com>. For further information regarding the public
reference file for a specific regional plan, contact Maria Ringold,
Chief, Wireless Branch, RIC, (202) 418-1355.

All regional plans and amendments will be made available for viewing
electronically by accessing the Commission's ECFS and initiating a
search of the records for **WT Docket No. 02-378.**

Information on the 700 MHz Regional Planning process and RPC activities
is available at <http://www.wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/700MHz>. For
further information, contact Jeannie Benfaida, Public Safety and Private
Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202)
418-0680, TTY (202) 418-7233, or via e-mail to
[jbenfaid@fcc.gov](mailto:jalford@fcc.gov).

Action by the Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division,
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

\- FCC -

[^1]: A list of 700 MHz regional planning committees and region
    activities are available at
    <http://www.wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/700MHz>

[^2]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 90.527; *see also* The Development of
    Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting
    Federal, State and Local Public Safety Agency Communication
    Requirements through the Year 2010, WT Docket No. 96-86, *First
    Report and Order and Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,* 14 FCC
    Rcd 152 (1998) (*First Report and Order*).

[^3]: *Id.* at 193-94 ¶ 84.

[^4]: *Id.* at 195 ¶ 87.

[^5]: 47 C.F.R. § 90.527; *see also,* *First Report and Order,* 14 FCC
    Rcd at 190-196 ¶¶ 77-89.

[^6]: The NCC is a federal advisory committee established by the
    Commission in 1999 to address and advise the Commission on
    operational and technical parameters for use of the 700 MHz public
    safety band. The NCC also provides voluntary assistance in the
    development of coordinated regional plans. A copy of the 700 MHz
    Regional Planning Guidebook, is available at the National Public
    Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) website
    <http://www.npstc.org/documents.html>.

[^7]: Instructions on how to use Commission\'s Electronic Comment Filing
    System (ECFS) are available at
    <http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html>.

[^8]: *See First Report and Order,* at 195 ¶ 87.