# Presentation: 749085

## Access to Licensed Spectrum for Rural Broadband

**Gaining access to licensed spectrum once licenses are issued**
**Finding current license holders**

**Notes:**
 Thanks Jim.  I’m going to transition a bit and discuss how licenses can be obtained after they have been issued and I’m also going to touch on how you can use our Universal Licensing System (ULS) to locate information about current licenses.

## Access to Licensed Spectrum for Rural Broadband

**Gaining access to licensed spectrum after **
**      ****licenses are issued**** **
- License assignment (Section 1.948)
- Spectrum lease (Sections 1.9020, 1.9030)
- Spectrum sublease (Sections 1.9020, 1.9030)

**Notes:**
Gaining access to licensed spectrum once licenses have been issued can be achieved through (1) a license assignment; (2) a spectrum lease; or (3) a spectrum sublease.  Any one of these is generally referred to as a secondary market transaction.

A license assignment involves the current license holder assigning its license to a third party.  In its most basic form, a licensee sells its license and possibly other assets to a third party.  The third party in turn becomes the license holder.

A spectrum lease involves the current license holder leasing spectrum to a third party.

And a spectrum sublease involves the current lessee subleasing spectrum to a third party.

A license assignment is by far the method used by most parties to gain access to licensed spectrum once licenses have been issued.  Leasing spectrum has been allowed under FCC rules for the last four plus years and is yet another possibility for gaining access to spectrum.

Whereas with a license assignment, there is a new licensee involved that takes control of the license, a lease consists of the current licensee retaining different amounts of control over the licensed spectrum that is being leased.  

If you’d like additional information on the legal distinctions between a license assignment and spectrum leasing I’d suggest you take a look at the FCC rule sections listed on the slide.  In addition, you can always contact me directly and I will help answer your questions.

## Access to Licensed Spectrum for Rural Broadband

**Notes:**
The FCC rules allow for any amount of spectrum or geography to be assigned or leased from a specific license.  

As Jim mentioned earlier, most licenses are issued by geographic areas that consist of one or more counties. In front of you is a map of various economic area boundaries and their corresponding county boundaries.  The shaded economic area includes Saginaw County and surrounding counties. In this example, a license that is comprised of the shaded area can be assigned or leased so that all the geography and spectrum is involved. Or a transaction could include all of the geography and only a portion of the spectrum.  For example, 10 MHz of a 20 MHz license could be disaggregated across the entire geographic area.

## Access to Licensed Spectrum for Rural Broadband

**Notes:**
A license can also be assigned or leased so that only a portion of the geography is involved.  In this case, the shaded county of Saginaw could be partitioned from the rest of the license.  You could also partition and disaggregate a license so that only a portion of the geography and a portion of the spectrum is involved.  For example, 10 MHz of a 20 MHz license could be disaggregated and also partitioned to only include Saginaw County.

## Submitting applications to the FCC to obtain spectrum in the secondary market
http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls
License Assignment
File FCC Form 603
Spectrum Lease/Sublease
File FCC Form 608

- http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls
- License Assignment
- File FCC Form 603
- Spectrum Lease/Sublease
- File FCC Form 608

**Access to Licensed Spectrum for ****Rural Broadband**

**Notes:**
Each transaction requires that parties file a form with the FCC.  There are different forms for a license assignment and a spectrum lease.  However, both forms collect similar information, which includes the parties to the transaction and a little more detailed information regarding the party that will obtain the licensed spectrum.

## Submitting applications to obtain spectrum in the secondary market
FCC hotline can walk parties through the filing process
(877) 480-3201 (M – F 8:00 am – 6:00 pm ET)

**FCC hotline can walk parties through the filing process**
- (877) 480-3201 (M – F 8:00 am – 6:00 pm ET)

**Access to Licensed Spectrum for ****Rural Broadband**

**Notes:**
I want to touch on a few key points regarding filing a form with the FCC.

First, all forms can be submitted electronically and in most spectrum bands must be submitted electronically.

Second, there are fees involved in submitting either a Form 603 or a Form 608 (usually between $50 and $350 per license), however, there are no fees for governmental entities or non profit entities.

Third, certain applications are approved overnight and most other applications are processed within 21 days.

Finally, there is a hotline that can walk you through the filing process.

## Finding current license holders in ULS
Web-based searches include:
Geographic area ( county and state or coordinates)
Market area (MTA, EA, REA)
Spectrum band
Licensee name
Entire database can be downloaded

**Web-based searches include:**
- Geographic area ( county and state or coordinates)
- Market area (MTA, EA, REA)
- Spectrum band
- Licensee name
**Entire database can be downloaded**

**Access to Licensed Spectrum for ****Rural Broadband**

**Notes:**
I’m going to shift gears a little bit and discuss how you can find information regarding current license holders.  All wireless licenses can be located in the FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS).  There are many ways to search ULS for licenses, including by:

Geographic area, market area, spectrum band or licensee name.

In addition to providing a web-based search tool, we also provide the ability for parties to download the entire ULS database, which would allow you to create your own customizable queries.

##         Finding current license holders in ULS

**Access to Licensed Spectrum for ****Rural Broadband**

**Notes:**
Most searches can be conducted using the Advanced License Search.

##         Finding current license holders in ULS

**Access to Licensed Spectrum for ****Rural Broadband**

**Notes:**
I’ve placed stars next to the information that I’ve selected.  Almost all of searches by spectrum band will include this information.

##         Finding current license holders in ULS

**Access to Licensed Spectrum for ****Rural Broadband**

**Notes:**
OK, if you take a look at the top, you can see the information entered on the previous screen.  Now, I’m going to search for a specific county.

##         Finding current license holders in ULS

**Access to Licensed Spectrum for ****Rural Broadband**

**Notes:**
In this case, one result was returned.  The call sign is a hyperlink that will take you to more detailed information regarding the specific license.

##         Finding current license holders in ULS

**Access to Licensed Spectrum for ****Rural Broadband**

**Notes:**
The license is divided into “tabs” of information and towards the bottom of the Main Tab is information regarding the specific licensee and its contact information.

##         Finding current license holders in ULS

**Access to Licensed Spectrum for ****Rural Broadband**

**Notes:**
You may use this information to initiate contact with a licensee regarding use of its license.