TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 11-728 

________________________________________________________________________ 

TELECOMMUNICATION 

Use of 698-806 MHz Band 

 Agreement Between the 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

and MEXICO 

Amending the Protocol of 

November 8, 2006 

Effected by Exchange of Letters 

July 19 and 28, 2011

 
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

 Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966 

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued 

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent 

 evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than 

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and 

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime 

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the 

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof 

or authentication thereof.” 
 MEXICO 

Telecommunication: Use of 698-806 MHz Band 

 Agreement amending protocol of November 8, 2006. 

 Effected by exchange of letters 

 July 19 and 28, 2011; 

 Entered into force July 28, 2011. 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 

JULIUS GENACHOWSKI 

CHAIRMAN 

Mr. Hector Olavarria Tapia 

Under Secretary of Communications 

July 19,2011 

Secretariat of Communications and Transportation 

Xola y Avenida Universidad 

Cuerpo "C" Primer Piso 

C.P. 03020 Mexico D.F. 

Dear Mr. Olavarria: 

Pursuant to Article IV of the Agreement Between the Government of the United 

States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the 

Allocation and Use of Frequency Bands by Terrestrial Non-Broadcasting 

Radiocommunication Services Along the Common Border signed at Williamsburg, 

Virginia on June 16, 1994 (the "1994 Agreement"), the Federal Communications 

Commission is the designated Administration for the United States under Article II, 

paragraph 1 of the Protocol Between the Department of State of the United States of 

America and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of the United 

Mexican States Concerning the Allotment and Use of the 698-806 MHz Bandfor 

Terrestrial Non-Broadcasting Radiocommunication Services Along the Common Border, 

signed at Mexico City on November 1,2006, and at Antalya, Turkey on November 8, 

2006 (the "2006 Protocol"). 

As a result of discussions that have taken place under the Bilateral Working Level 

of the U.S.-Mexico High Level Consultative Commission on Telecommunications 

(HLCC) and in accordance with Article V of the 1994 Agreement, I am pleased to 

propose, on behalf of the Federal Communications Commission, that the 2006 Protocol 

be amended as follows: 

Article III, subparagraph 2.a.i shall read as follows: 

"(i) The maximum power flux density (PFD) at any point at or beyond the 

common border of all emissions shall not exceed -96 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz 

bandwidth;"; 

Article Ill, subparagraph 2.a.iv.3 shall read as follows: 

"(3) Continue operations with a PFD greater than -96 

dBW/m21MHz either until the operator notifies its counterpart operator(s) that the mutual 

understanding referred to in the prior subparagraph (subparagraph 2.a.iv.2 of this Article) 

is cancelled or until the operator is notified by the appropriate Administration to return to 

the PFD required in subparagraph 2.a.i; "; and 

445 121H STREET S. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 • 202-418-1000 
A subparagraph shall be added to Article Ill, subparagraph 2.a. following subparagraph 

(iv), which shall read as follows: 

"(v) In cases where there is no counterpart operator within 110 kID 

(68.35 miles) of the border, an Administration may apply the following conditions to its 

operators: 

(1) Stations may not produce a PFD that exceeds -96 

dBW/m21MHz, unless otherwise agreed by both Administrations by mutual consent. In 

case of mutual agreement by both Administrations, the Administration with jurisdiction 

over the operator seeking to exceed the PFD limit shall provide the necessary 

authorization for operation at the higher transmission level and the operator shall request 

such authorization from its Administration; 

(2) When an operator within 110 Ian (68.35 miles) of the 

border employs a transmission level greater than -96 dBW/m21MHz at the common 

border and is notified of startup operations by a counterpart operator on the other side of 

the border, both operators shall coordinate appropriate technical and operational network 

parameters and seek coordination using the process set forth in subparagraph 2.a.iv. 

above; and". 

Lastly, the pre-existing subparagraph 2.av of Article III shall be relabeled subparagraph 

2.avi. 

lfthe above-proposed amendments are acceptable to the Secretariat of 

Communications and Transportation, I further propose that this letter and your 

affirmative letter in reply shall constitute an agreement between the Federal 

Communications Commission of the United States of America and the Secretariat of 

Communications and Transportation of the United Mexican States to amend the 2006 

Protocol, which agreement shall enter into force on the date of your letter in reply. The 

above provisions of this letter have no affect on both Administrations' commitment to 

start the process leading to the signing of the related amendments to the Protocol in 

question so as to reflect the changes contained in this document, as well as those deemed 

convenient in the future. 

Sincerely, 

c::::------ • 

Julius Genachowski 
SICRfTARIA Df. CDMUNICACIDNES 

y 

TRANSPORTES 

Sr. Julius Genachowski 

FormaC. C -,-A 

Subaecretaria de Comunicaciones 

2.- 0 4 5 I 2 0 1 1 

Mexico, D.F., a 2 8 JUl. 2011 

Presidente, Comisi6n Federal de Comunicaciones 

445 Twelfth Street, SW 

Washington, DC 20554 

Estimado Presidente Genachowski: 

Me refiero a suoarta de fecha 19 dejulio de 2011 relativa a una propuesta 

de enmienda al Protocolo entre laSscmtarla de Comrmicaciones y Transportes de 

los Estados Unidos Mexicanos y el.Departamento de Estado de los Estados 

Unidos de America, relativo a la AdjutiiGBci6n y Uso de la Banda de 698-806 MHz 

para Servicios de RadiocomunicaciOn Temmsl Excepto Radiodifusion a /0 Largo 

de la Frontera Cornun, finnado en la Ciudadde Mexico el1 de noviembre de 2006, 

y en Antalya, Turqula el 8 de noviembre de 2006 (at "Protocolo de 2006"), la cua!, 

en su parte pertinente, establece 10 siguiente: 

"Con BlTeglo al Articulo IV del Acuerclo entre el Gobiemo de los Estados 

Unidos Mexioanos yel Gobiemo de los Estsdos Unidos de America relativo 

a /s Atribucion y i3J UsodeJas Bandas de Frecuencia por los Servicios 

T errenales de Radiooom8nicaciones, excepto Radiodifus;on a 10 Largo de Is 

Frontera Comun, firmat'io en Williamsburg. Virginia el16 de junio de 1994 

(e\ "Acuerdo de 1994"), la Comisi6n Federal de Comunicaciones (Federal 

Communications Commission)es la Administraci6n designada por los 

Estados Unidos de America conforme a\ parrafo 1, Articulo \I del Protocolo 

entre la Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes de los Estados 

Unidos Mexicanos y 81 Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos de 
SECRETARIADE COMUNICACIOMES 

V 

TRAIISf'ORTES 

America, relativo a /a Adjudicaci6n y Uso de /a Banda de 698-806 MHz para 

Servicios de Radiocomunicaci6n Terrenal Excepto Radiodifusion a /0 Largo 

de la Frontera Comun, firmado en la Ciudad de Mexico el 1 de noviembre 

de 2006. y en Anta\ya, Turqufa el 8 de noviembre de 2006 (el "Protocolo de 

2006"). Como resultado de las discusiones sostenidas en el Grupo de 

Trabajo Bilateral de la Cemisi6n COlI'BWttiva·de Me Nivel de 

Telecomunicaciones (eGAN). y conformeal Articulo V del Acuerdo de 

1994, me complace pJ'Oponer. ennombre de ta Cornisi6n Federal de 

Comunicaciones: que el Protocoto de 2006 sea enmendado de la siguiente 

forma: 

El inciso 2.a.i deI.Articulo III debera reflejar Is siguiente redscci6n: 

'(i) La mlixima densidad de f1ujo de polencia (OFP) de todas las 

emisiones no debara exceder de -96 d8W/m'l enla fronter~ 0 mas alia de 

esta en ningun ~cho de banda de 1 MHz'. 

EI inciso 2.a.iv.3 del Articulo III debera refJejar la siguiente redacci6n: 

'(3) Continuar las operaciones con una OFP superior 

a -96 dBW/m2

/MHz haste que el operador notifique a su operador 

contra parte que el entendimiento mutuo a que sa refiere el inciso anterior 

(el inciso 2.a.iv. 2 de este Articulo) hasido revocado ohasta que la 

Administraci6n pertinente notifique a\ operador que debe retomar a la OFP 

que exige el inciso 2.a.i', y 

2 
f-

"D,maC G -'-A 

SfCRfTARI" DE COMUNICACIONES 

y 

TRAHSPORTES 

Se aiiadira un inciso al inciso 2.a del Articulo III, a continuaci6n del incise 

(iv), que diga 10 siguiente: 

'(v) Cuando no haya un operador eontraparte a una 

distancia de no mas de 110 km (68-.35miUas) de la frontera. una 

Administraci6n podra imponer Iassiguientes condiciones B sus operadores: 

(1) Las estaciones no generaran una DFP que 

exceda de -96 dBW/m2lMHz. salvoacuerdo en contrario por consentimiente 

mutuo entre las dos Administraciones. Encaso de acuerdo mutuo entre las 

dos Administraciones, la Administraci6n que tenga la jurisdicci6n sobre el 

operador lnteresado en rebasar el llmlte'de la OFP debers conceder la 

autorizaci6n necesaria para el funcienamiento a un nivel superior de 

transmisi6n y el operador solicitara dicha autorizaci6n a su Administraci6n; 

(2) Cuando un operador que este a una distancia de 

110 km (68.35 mitlas) 0 menosde la frontera utilice un nivel de transmisi6n 

superior a -96 dBWim2IMHz en la fronters com un y sea notificado del inicio 

de fundionamiento por un operador contraparte del otro lado de \a frontera. 

ambos operadorE!S debersn coordinar los debidos parametres tecnicos y 

operativos de tared y bUSC8ran la coordinaci6n mediante-el procedimiento 

al que se refiereel anterior inciso 2.a.iv, y'. 

Per ultimo. el inciso pr-eexistente 2.B.V del Articulo III debera ser numerado 

inciso 2.a.vi." 

De conformidad con el psrrafo 1 del Articulo III del Protocolo de 2006, 

donde se designaa la Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes como la 

Administraci6n designada per los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, me complace 

3 
SfCRETARIA Df. COMUNICACIONES 

y 

TR"NSI'ORTES 

FormiC G .. 1-A 

informarle que las enmiendas que propone resultan aeeptables para la Secretaria 

de Comunicaciones y Transportes. Por \0 que no existe inconveniente en que su 

carta y la presente carta de respuesta constituyan un acuerdo entre la Secretaria 

de Comunicaciones y Transportes de los Estados Unides Mexicanos y la Comisi6n 

Federal de Comunicaciones de los Estados Unklos de America para enmendar el 

"Protocolo de 2006," mismo q:ue entrara en vigor a partir de \a fecha de la 

presente. Lo anterior sin perjuicio del compr0miso de ambas Administraciones de 

iniciar el proceso para 18 suscripci6n de las enmiendas correspondientes al 

Protocolo en cemente quer.eflejen los cambios contenidos en el presente escrito, 

asl cemo aquellcs cambios que en un 'futuro sa estimen convenientes. 

Sirvase aeeptar la expresiOnde mi mas altay distinguidaconsideraci6n, 

C.c. p_. Mtro. Dionisio P61l1Z-Jacome Friscione.- Secretarlo de Comunicaciones y Trensportes. 

Mtro. Mony de Swaen Addatl.- Presidente.- Comisl6n Federal de Telecomunicaciones_ 

4 
[TRANSLA nON TO ENGLISH OF MEXICO's LETTER-IN-REPL Y] 

UNITED MEXICAN STATES 

[Seal] 

SECRET ARIA T OF COMMUNICA nONS 

AND TRANSPORTATION 

Mr. Julius Genachowski 

Chainnan, Federal Communications Commission 

445 Twelfth Street, SW 

Washington, DC 20554 

Dear Chainnan Genachowski: 

Under Secretariat of Communications 

2.- 045/2011 

Mexico City, on 28 Jul2011 

I refer to your letter dated July 19,2011 regarding a proposed amendment to the 

"Protocol Between the Department of State of the United States of America and the 

Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of the United Mexican States 

Concerning the Allotment and Use of the 698-806 MHz Band for Terrestrial NonBroadcasting Radiocommunication Services Along the Common Border," signed at 

Mexico City on November 1,2006, and at Antalya, Turkey on November 8, 2006 (the 

"2006 Protocol"), which, in relevant part, establishes the following: 

Pursuant to Article IV of the Agreement Between the Government of the United 

States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the 

Allocation and Use of Frequency Bands by Terrestrial Non-Broadcasting 

Radiocommunication Services Along the Common Border signed at Williamsburg, 

Virginia on June 16, 1994 (the "1994 Agreement"), the Federal Communications 

Commission is the designated Administration for the United States under Article II, 

paragraph 1 of the Protocol Between the Department of State of the United States of 

America and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of the United 

Mexican States Concerning the Allotment and Use of the 698-806 MHz Band for 

Terrestrial Non-Broadcasting Radiocommunication Services Along the Common Border, 

signed at Mexico City on November 1,2006, and at Antalya, Turkey on November 8, 

2006 (the "2006 Protocol"). As a result of discussions that have taken place under the 

Bilateral Working Level of the U.S.-Mexico High Level Consultative Commission on 

Telecommunications (HLCC) and in accordance with Article V of the 1994 Agreement, I 

am pleased to propose, on behalf of the Federal Communications Commission, that the 

2006 Protocol be amended as follows: 

Article III, subparagraph 2.a.i shall read as follows: 

"(i) The maximum power flux density (PFD) at any point at or beyond the 

common border of all emissions shall not exceed -96 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz 

bandWidth;"; 
Article III, subparagraph 2.a.iv.3 shall read as follows: 

"(3) Continue operations with a PFD greater than -96 

dBW/m2IMHz either until the operator notifies its counterpart operator(s) that the mutual 

understanding referred to in the prior subparagraph (subparagraph 2.a.iv.2 ofthis Article) 

is cancelled or until the operator is notified by the appropriate Administration to return to 

the PFD required in subparagraph 2.a.i; and"; and 

A subparagraph shall be added to Article III, subparagraph 2.a, which subparagraph 

(2.a.v) shall read as follows: 

"(v) In cases where there is no counterpart operator within 110 km 

(68.35 miles) of the border, an Administration may apply the following conditions to its 

operators: 

(1) Stations may not produce a PFD that exceeds -96 

dBW/m21MHz, unless otherwise agreed by both Administrations by mutual consent. In 

case of mutual agreement by both Administrations, the Administration with jurisdiction 

over the operator seeking to exceed the PFD limit shall provide the necessary 

authorization for operation at the higher transmission level and the operator shall request 

such authorization from its Administration; 

(2) When an operator within 110 km (68.35 miles) of the 

border employs a transmission level greater than -96 dBW/m2

IMHz at the common 

border and is notified of startup operations by a counterpart operator on the other side of 

the border, both operators shall coordinate appropriate technical and operational network 

parameters and seek coordination using the process set forth in subparagraph 2.a.iv. 

above; and". 

Lastly, subparagraph 2.a.v of Article III shall be relabeled as subparagraph 2.a.vi. 

In accordance with Article III, paragraph 1 of the 2006 Protocol, wnere the 

Secretariat of Communications and Transportation is designated as the Administration of 

the United Mexican States, I am pleased to inform you that your proposed amendments 

are acceptable to the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation. Consequently, 

the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation finds it appropriate to agree that 

your letter and this letter in reply shall constitute an agreement between the Federal 

Communications Commission of the United States and the Secretariat of 

Communications and Transportation ofthe United Mexican States to amend the "2006 

Protocol," which agreement shall enter into force starting on the date of this letter. The 

above provisions of this letter have no affect on both Administrations' commitment to 

start the process leading to the signing of the related amendments to the Protocol in 

question so as to reflect the changes contained in this document, as well as those deemed 

convenient in the future. 
Please accept this expression of my highest and distinguished consideration. 

Sincerely, 

The Under Secretary 

/Original Signed by Hector Olavarria Tapia! 

Hector Olavarria Tapia 

Copy to: Mr. Dionisio Perez-Jacome Friscione, Secretary of Communications and Transportation (SCT); 

Mr. Mony de Swaan Addati, Chairman, Federal Telecommunications Commission (COFETEL).