Source: https://www.federalregister.com/Browse/Document/usa/na/fr/2000/3/16/00-6605
Timestamp: 2020-02-24 15:51:19
Document Index: 171232003

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 2', '§ 26', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 1', '§ 27', 'art 27', 'art 1', 'art 26', '§ 1']

65 FR 52 pgs. 14230-14236 - Transfer of 4.9 GHz Band From Federal Government Use
Type: PRORULEVolume: 65Number: 52Pages: 14230 - 14236
Docket number: [WT Docket No. 00-32; FCC 00-63]
FR document: [FR Doc. 00-6605 Filed 3-14-00; 12:08 pm]
47 CFR Parts 2, 26, and 27
[WT Docket No. 00-32; FCC 00-63]
This is a summary of the Commission's Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in WT Docket No. 00-32, FCC 00-63, adopted February 23, 2000, and released February 29, 2000. The complete text of the NPRM and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is available on the Commission's Internet site, at www.fcc.gov. It is also available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Courtyard Level, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC, and may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Services, Inc., CY-B400, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC Comments may be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html, or by e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov.
3. Global, in its Petition for Rulemaking (filed on November 24, 1999) requested that the Commission: (1) Designate the 4.9 GHz band for GWCS in lieu of the reclaimed 4660-4685 MHz band; (2) make the service more attractive to applicants that require broadband capability in order to serve the public; (3) speed the process of licensing applicants that are not mutually exclusive; and (4) allow mutually exclusive applicants to consult and negotiate solutions to their mutual exclusivity. Global asked that the Commission make available for GWCS the entire 4.9 GHz band, that the band be broken down into five 10 megahertz wide bands, and apparently that the band be licensed using Economic Areas (EAs). Global also requested that the 15 MHz aggregation limit contained in § 26.101(a) be increased, and that GWCS licensees be able to partition their service territories to entities other than just rural telephone companies. In addition, Global asked that the Commission clarify how applications are to be filed and that the Commission promptly process GWCS applications. Finally, Global requested that the Commission encourage the avoidance of mutual exclusivity through negotiated engineering solutions.
9. The NPRM next proposes that, similar to licensees in other Commission services, applicants in the 4.9 GHz band be allowed to request common carrier and non-common carrier status for authorization in a single license rather than require the applicant to choose between common carrier and non-carrier services. This would enable 4.9 GHz licensees to provide all allowable services anywhere within its licensed area at any time, consistent with its regulatory status. In this regard, the NPRM proposes that applicants and licensees in the 4.9 GHz band be required to indicate a regulatory status based on any service they choose to provide, but not be required to describe their proposed services. The NPRM also proposes that if licensees change the service or services they offer, such that it would change their regulatory status, they must notify the Commission, within 30 days of the change although such change would not require prior Commission authorization. In addition to making these procedures applicable to the 4.9 GHz band, the NPRM also proposes to codify these procedures for the 2.3 GHz band, and seeks comment on these proposals.
12. The NPRM seeks comment on the appropriate geographic area to use for licensing the 4.9 GHz band. ( See paras 41-43 of the full text of the NPRM.) Additionally, the NPRM invites comment on the appropriate size spectrum block or blocks that should be used to license the 4.9 GHz band. Global requests that the spectrum be divided into five 10 megahertz wide spectrum block. Alternatively, the NPRM seeks comment on whether this spectrum should be auctioned in two 25 MHz licenses. The NPRM requests comment on whether larger or smaller blocks would provide more options for services provided by licensees in the band, on whether the spectrum should be auctioned in paired spectrum blocks, on whether the Commission should license unpaired spectrum in the 4.9 GHz band, and on whether the Commission should make changes to its bidding rules to promote bidder flexibility
13. The NPRM seeks comment on whether to provide for license terms not to exceed 10 years from the date of original issuance and whether to provide a right to a renewal expectancy. ( See paras. 48 through 50 of the full NPRM.) Further, the NPRM invites comments on the Commission's tentative conclusion that, in order to claim a renewal expectancy, a 4.9 GHz licensee involved in a comparative renewal proceeding must include at a minimum a showing including: (1) A description of current service in terms of geographic coverage and population served or links installed; (2) an explanation of the licensee's record of expansion, including a timetable for the construction of new base sites or links to meet changes in demand for service; (3) a description of the licensee's investments in its system; and (4) copies of any Commission Orders finding the licensee to have violated the Communications Act or any Commission rule or policy, and a list of any pending proceedings that relate to any matter described by the requirements for the renewal expectancy.
16. The NPRM also requests comment on its proposal that 4.9 GHz applicants and licensees be required to, in the case of partitioning, file FCC form 603 and list the partitioned service area on a schedule to the application. Further, the NPRM proposes that licensees in the 4.9 GHZ band follow § 27.15(c) provisions against unjust enrichment and the remaining provisions governing partitioning and disaggregation in § 27.15 of the Commission's Rules.
17. The NPRM also seeks comment on the Commission's proposal regarding construction requirements for parties to partitioning, disaggregation, or combined partitioning and disaggregation agreements. The NPRM proposes to allow parties to partitioning agreements to choose between two options for satisfying the construction requirements. The first option provides that the partitioner and partitionee would each certify that it would independently satisfy the substantial service requirement for its respective partitioned area. If a licensee fails to meet this requirement during the relevant license term, that licensee's authorization would be subject to cancellation at the end of the license term. Under the second option, the partitioner would certify that it has met or will meet the substantial service requirement for the entire market. If the partitioner fails to meet this standard during the relevant license term, however, only its license would be subject to cancellation at the end of the license term. The partitionee's license would not be affected by that failure.
19. The NPRM proposes construction standards and safe harbor provisions for 4.9 GHz licensees. As mandated by § 27.14(a) of the Commission's Rules, licensees would be required to provide "substantial service" in their service areas within 10 years of being licensed. A failure to meet this requirement would result in forfeiture of the license and the licensee's ineligibility to regain it. As proposed, licensees would be required to submit an acceptable showing to the Commission at the end of the license period demonstrating that they have provided substantial service during the license term or are providing substantial service at the end of the term. In addition, the NPRM proposes the safe harbors that would be applicable to 2.3 GHz licensee, as well as to 4.9 GHz licensees. The first safe harbor proposal states that for a licensee who chooses to offer fixed, point-to-point service, the construction of four permanent links per one million people in its licensed service area during its license term or the license-renewal mark would constitute substantial service. The second safe harbor proposal provides that, for a licensee who chooses to offer mobile services or point-to-point multipoint services, a demonstration of coverage to 20 percent of the population of its licensed service area during its licensed term or at the license-renewal mark would constitute substantial service.
21. The NPRM seeks comment on its tentative proposal that, for applicants in the 4.9 GHz band, providing common carrier or non-common carrier service, the Commission provide for a five-day period for filing petitions to deny applications, and a seven-day notice period for all auctionable services, as mandated for auctionable services in §§ 1.2108(b) and 1.2108(c) of the Commission's Rules.
22. The NPRM considers general common carrier obligations. The NPRM first invites comment on its proposal that the Commission exercise its authority to forbear from enforcing the same Title II of the Act requirements that the Commission has determined not to apply to CMRS licensees, for 4.9 GHz and 2.3 GHz licensees that provide common carrier fixed services. Title II of the Act imposes a variety of obligations on the operations of common carriers that are not otherwise imposed on wireless communications services. These operational requirements include the filing of tariffs, maintaining of records, liabilities, and discontinuance of service. The 1996 Act provides the Commission with the authority to forbear from Title II requirements. ( See 47 U.S.C. 160, as added by the 1996 Act.) The statute requires that, before forbearing from applying any section of Title II, the Commission must find that each of the following applies:
25. The NPRM offers two approaches to in-band interference control. Parties are asked to provide their analysis of both a general coordination requirement, in which the Commission would rely principally upon the use of coordination procedures to avoid harmful interference between the operation of licensees in adjacent service areas, and establishment of a field strength limit. Comments are particularly sought on issues such as coordination procedures and criteria, and on what the boundary limit should be. Comment is also sought on whether to modify § 27.64 of the Commission's Rules, which states that part 27 stations operating in full accordance with applicable Commission rules and the terms and conditions of their authorizations are normally considered to be non-interfering, and provides for Commission action to require modification to eliminate significant interference. The NPRM further invites comment on whether power limits and coordination procedures should be imposed to adequately protect radio astronomy operation.
27. The NPRM proposes to use the part 1 auction rules to initially license the 4.9 GHz band, and to move the remaining part 26 auction rules for the band 4660-4685 MHz to the 4.9 GHz band. The NPRM also tentatively concludes that mutually exclusive initial applications for the 4.9 GHz band must be resolved through competitive bidding and that the Commission's previous determinations of auctionability is dispositive with regard to the substituted 4.9 GHz spectrum. ( See para. 94 of the NPRM). The NPRM solicits comment on these tentative conclusions.
29. The NPRM considers the definition of small business in the context of the 4.9 GHz band. Specifically, the NPRM proposes to define a small business as any firm with annual average gross revenues for the three preceding years not in excess of $40 million. For entities that qualify as small businesses, the NPRM proposes to provide a bidding credit of 15 percent. The NPRM also proposes to define a very small business as one with average annual gross revenues for the three preceding years not in excess of $15 million. For entities that qualify as very small businesses, the NPRM proposes a bidding credit of 25 percent. The NPRM invites comment on the appropriateness of these standards and on related issues. ( See paragraphs 101 through 103.) In calculating gross revenues for purposes of small business eligibility in 4.9 GHz auction, the NPRM proposes to attribute the gross revenues of the applicant, its controlling interests, and its affiliates.
32. For purposes of this permit-but-disclose notice and comment rulemaking proceeding, members of the public are advised that ex parte presentations are permitted, except during the Sunshine Agenda period, provided they are disclosed under the Commission's Rules. ( See generally 47 CFR 1.1202, 1.1203, 1.1206(a).)
33. Pursuant to applicable procedures set forth in §§ 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's Rules, interested parties may file comments on or before April 26, 2000, and reply comments on or before May 17, 2000. Comments and reply comments should be filed in WT Docket No. 00-32. All relevant and timely comments will be considered by the Commission before final action is taken in this proceeding. To file formally in this proceeding, interested parties must file an original and four copies of all comments, reply comments, and supporting comments. If interested parties want each Commissioner to receive a personal copy of their comments, they must file an original plus nine copies. Interested parties should send comments and reply comments to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Room TW-A325, 445 Twelfth Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554, with a copy to Eli Johnson, Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 445 Twelfth Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554.
34. Comments may also be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). 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 obtain filing instructions for E-Mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail 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.
42. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) the Commission has prepared this Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA)1of the possible significant economic impact on small entities by the policies and rules proposed in this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), WT Docket No. 00-32. Written public comments are requested on this IRFA. Comments must be identified as responses to the IRFA and must be filed by the deadlines for comments on the NPRM. The Commission will send a copy of the NPRM, including the IRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.
1 5 U.S.C. 603, The RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601 et. seq., has been amended by the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, 110 Stat. 847 (1996) (CWAA). Title II of the CWAA is the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA).
45. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be affected by the proposed rules, if adopted. The RFA generally defines the term "small entity" as having the same meaning as the terms "small business," "small organization," and "small governmental jurisdiction." In addition, the term "small business" has the same meaning as the term "small business concern" under Section 3 of the Small Business Act, unless the Commission has developed one or more definitions that are appropriate for its activities. Under the Small business Act, a "small business concern" is one that: (1) Is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the Small Business Administration (SBA). A small organization is generally "any not-for-profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field." Nationwide, as of 1992, there were approximately 275,801 small organizations.
46. The definition of "small governmental entity" is one with populations of fewer than 50,000. There are 85,006 governmental entities in the nation. This number includes such entities as states, counties, cities, utility districts and school districts. There are no figures available on what portion of this number has populations of fewer than 50,000. However, this number includes 38,978 counties, cities and towns, and of those, 37,556, or ninety-six percent, have populations of fewer than 50,000. The Census Bureau estimates that this ratio is approximately accurate for all government entities. Thus, of the 85,006 governmental entities, the Commission estimates that ninety-six percent, or about 81,600, are small entities that may be affected by our rules.
47. The proposals in the NPRM affect applicants who wish to provide services in the 4.9 GHz band. The Commission notes that we have previously defined "small entity" for Blocks C and F broadband PCS licensees as firms that had average gross revenues of less that $40 million in the three previous calendar years. This regulation defining "small entity" in the context of broadband PCS auctions has been approved by the SBA. We also note that the Commission has adopted this same definition for 2.3 GHz and 39 GHz applicants, as well as for the band 4660-4685 MHz. With respect to prospective 4.9 GHz license applicants, the Commission proposes to use the small entity definition adopted in the Broadband PCS proceeding.
52. The NPRM seeks data demonstrating build-out and other capital requirements for services in the 4.9 GHz band, as well as the anticipated start-up costs for providing service, and how these costs compare with costs for other services. Commenters are invited to use comparisons with other services for which the Commission has already established auction procedures as a basis for their comments regarding the appropriate definitions for small and very small businesses. Commenters are asked to address to what extent the proposed size standards will impact the ability of small businesses to acquire financing. In addition, the Commission seeks comment on whether the proposed designated entity provisions would be sufficient to promote participation by businesses owned by minorities and by women, and participation by rural telephone companies.
55. This NPRM contains proposed and modified information collections. As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, the Commission invites the general public and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to take this opportunity to comment on the information collections contained in this NPRM, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Public and agency comments are due at the same time as other comments on this NPRM. OMB comments are due 60 days from the date of publication of this NPRM in the Federal Register . Comments should address: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.