Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2008/06/25/E8-14423/service-rules-for-advanced-wireless-services-in-the-1915-1920-mhz-1995-2000-mhz-2155-2175-mhz-and
Timestamp: 2018-07-16 01:43:34
Document Index: 701633428

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n3', 'art 101', '§\u200924', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u20091', '§\u20091', '§\u20091', '§\u20091', '§\u20091', '§\u200927', '§\u20091', '§\u20091', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', 'art 27', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', '§\u200927', 'art 74', '§\u200974', '§\u200974', '§\u200974', '§\u2009101', '§\u200974', '§\u2009101', '§\u2009101', '§\u2009101', '§\u2009101', 'art 78', '§\u200974', '§\u200978', '§\u200978', '§\u2009101', '§\u200974', '§\u2009101', '§\u2009101', '§\u2009101', '§\u2009101', 'art 101', '§\u2009101', '§\u2009101', 'arts 20', 'arts 20']

Federal Register :: Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2155-2175 MHz, and 2175-2180 MHz Bands
A Proposed Rule by the Federal Communications Commission on 06/25/2008
Comments must be filed on or before July 9, 2008, and reply comments must be filed on or before July 16, 2008.
35995-36013 (19 pages)
WT Docket No. 07-195
FCC 08-158
E8-14423
Special Provisions Governing the 2155-2180 MHz Band
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E8-14423 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E8-14423
In this document, we seek comment on service rules for licensed fixed and mobile services, including Advanced Wireless Services (AWS), in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2155-2175 MHz, and 2175-2180 MHz bands. We seek comment on rules for licensing this newly designated spectrum in a manner that will permit it to be fully and promptly utilized to bring advanced wireless services to American consumers. Our objective is to allow for the most effective and efficient use of spectrum in this band, while also encouraging development of robust wireless broadband services. We propose to apply our flexible, market-oriented rules to the band in order to meet this objective.
Start Printed Page 35996
Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. You may submit comments, identified by WT Docket No. 07-195, by any of the following methods:
Peter Daronco Esq., or Paul Malmud Esq., at 202-418-2486.
This is a summary of the Commission's Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making (FNPRM), released June 20, 2008. The complete text of this document, including attachments and related Commission documents, is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room CY-A257), 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. The complete text of the FNPRM and related Commission documents may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, SW., Room, CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone 202-488-5300, facsimile 202-488-5563, or you may contact BCPI at its web site http://www.BCPIWEB.com. When ordering documents from BCPI please provide the appropriate FCC document number, for example, FCC 07-38. The FNPRM is also available on the Commission's Web site: http://wireless.fcc.gov/​index.htm?​job=​headlines.
Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments on or before July 9, 2008, and reply comments must be filed on or before July 16, 2008. Comments may be filed using: (1) The Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government's eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).
1. In a In this Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making (FNPRM), we seek comment on proposed service rules for Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) [1] spectrum in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands, as set forth in Appendix A. In taking a further step towards adoption of service rules for these bands, our goal is to promote the deployment and ubiquitous availability of broadband services across the country and to facilitate the use of AWS spectrum for the benefit of consumers.
2. In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WT Docket No. 04-356, the Commission sought comment on rules for AWS spectrum in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz, and 2175-2180 MHz bands.[2] In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WT Docket No. 07-195, we sought comment on rules for AWS spectrum in the 2155-2175 MHz band.[3] To further supplement these Notices of Proposed Rulemaking and the current extensive record in these proceedings, we are seeking expedited comment on a proposed set of rules for these bands. We will consider comments on these proposed rules in conjunction with the record developed in response to the various proposals set out in the earlier NPRM's.
3. Specifically, we propose to adopt application, licensing, operating, and technical rules for the 2155-2180 MHz band (AWS-3 band), including rules that would: Start Printed Page 35997
Combine the 2155-2175 MHz band with the 2175-2180 MHz band in order to create a 25 megahertz block of spectrum.
Permit downlink and uplink transmissions throughout the entire 2155-2180 MHz band.
Adopt a single nationwide license for the 2155-2180 MHz band.
Adopt open eligibility for the 2155-2180 MHz band.
Require the licensee to provide free, two-way broadband Internet service including:
Require the licensee to provide for open devices and open applications for its premium service and open devices for its free service.
Provide an initial license term of ten years and subsequent renewal terms of ten years.
Require the licensee to provide signal coverage and offer service to: (1) At least 50 percent of the total population of the nation within four years of commencement of the license term and ( 2) at least 95 percent of the total population of the nation at the end of the 10-year license term.
Allow licensees to disaggregate, partition, and lease the spectrum.
Provide that mutually exclusive applications should be resolved through competitive bidding.
Require AWS-3 mobiles to attenuate out-of-band emissions (OOBE) by 60 + 10log (P) dB outside of the AWS-3 band, and establish a power limit for AWS-3 mobile devices of 23 dBm/MHz equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP).
Require an OOBE limit of 43 + 10 log (P) dB for AWS-3 base and fixed downlink stations and a power limit of 1640 watts peak EIRP in non-rural areas and 3280 watts peak EIRP in rural areas.
License the H Block using exclusive geographic area licensing on a Basic Trading Area (BTA) basis.
Adopt open eligibility for the H Block.
Require an H Block licensee to provide signal coverage and offer service to: (1) At least 35 percent of the population in each licensed area within four years and (2) at least 70 percent of the population in each licensed area at the end of the license term.
Require H Block licensees in the 1915-1920 MHz band to pay a pro rata share of expenses previously incurred by UTAM Inc. in clearing that band.
Adopt both relocation requirements for H Block entrants in the 1995-2000 MHz band and procedures for cost-sharing among other new entrants in the Broadcast Auxiliary Service band, including Sprint Nextel and Mobile Satellite Service entrants.
Prohibit base and fixed transmission in the 1915-1920 MHz band.
Require mobiles at 1915-1920 MHz to attenuate OOBE by 90 + 10log P dB within the PCS band (1930-1990 MHz band), and establish a power limit for mobiles of 23 dBm/MHz EIRP.
Prohibit mobile transmission in the 1995-2000 MHz band.
Adopt an OOBE limit of 43 + 10 log (P) dB for base and fixed stations at 1995-2000 MHz and a power limit of 1640 watts peak EIRP in non-rural areas and 3280 watts peak EIRP in rural areas.
5. We seek comment on these proposed rules for the AWS-3 band and the H Block, as set forth in Appendix A. We note that combining the 2155-2175 MHz band with the 2175-2180 MHz band may allow an AWS-3 licensee to make more robust use of this spectrum block while meeting a stricter OOBE limit than traditionally applied in bands designated for flexible use, such as the AWS-1 and 700 MHz bands.[4] To the extent that commenters do not support combining the 2155-2175 MHz band with the 2175-2180 MHz band, they should indicate whether, in the alternative, a more traditional OOBE limit of 43+10log(P) dB would be appropriate for the 2155-2175 MHz band.
6. This is a permit-but-disclose notice and comment rulemaking proceeding. Ex parte presentations are permitted, except during the Sunshine Agenda period, provided they are disclosed pursuant to the Commission's rules.[5]
7. This document contains proposed new or modified information collection requirements. The Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, invites the general public and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to comment on the information collection requirements contained in this document, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Public and agency comments are due 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. Comments should address: (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimates; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) 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. In addition, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002,[6] we seek specific comment on how we might “further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.”
8. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA),[7] the Commission has prepared a Supplemental Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the possible significant economic impact on small entities of the policies and rules proposed in the FNPRM. The analysis is found in the attached Appendix B of the FNPRM. We request written public comment on the analysis. Comments must be filed on or before July 9, 2008, and reply comments must be filed on or before July 16, 2008 and must have a separate and distinct heading designating them as responses to the Supplemental IRFA. The Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, will send a copy of this FNPRM, including the Supplemental IRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.
9. The FNPRM contemplates service rules for licensed fixed and mobile services, including advanced wireless services (AWS), in the 1915-1920 MHz Start Printed Page 35998and 1995-2000 MHz bands (collectively the “H Block”) and the 2155-2175 MHz and 2175-2180 MHz bands (collectively the “AWS-3 band”). These service rules include application, licensing, operating and technical rules for the AWS-3 band and H Block. Consistent with the Commission's policy objective of affording licensees the flexibility to deploy new technologies, to implement service innovations, and to respond to market forces, the FNPRM proposes service rules that provide AWS-3 and H Block licensees with the flexibility to provide any fixed or mobile service, including advanced wireless services, which is consistent with the allocations for this spectrum. The market-oriented licensing framework for these bands would ensure that this spectrum is efficiently utilized and will foster the development of new and innovative technologies and services, as well as encourage the growth and development of broadband services, ultimately leading to greater benefits to consumers.
10. The FNPRM seeks to adopt rules that will reduce regulatory burdens, promote innovative services, and encourage flexible use of this spectrum. Such an approach opens up economic opportunities to a variety of spectrum users, which could include small businesses.
11. The FNPRM proposes combining the 2155-2175 MHz band with the 2175-2180 MHz band to form a 25 MHz block of spectrum.
12. In the FNPRM, the Commission also seeks comments on its proposal to permit both downlink and uplink transmissions throughout the entire AWS-3 band.
13. In the FNPRM, the Commission also seeks comments on its proposal to require an AWS-3 licensee to provide free, two-way broadband Internet service that includes engineered data rates of at least 768 kps downstream for the average user experience using up to 25 percent of the licensee's wireless network capacity and an “always on” network-based filtering mechanism.
14. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to require the licensee to provide for open devices and open applications for its premium service and open devices for its free service.
15. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to adopt a single nationwide license for the 2155-2180 MHz band.
16. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to adopt open eligibility for the AWS-3 band.
17. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to allow licensees to disaggregate, partition, and lease the spectrum.
18. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to require AWS-3 licensees to provide signal coverage and offer service to: (1) At least 50 percent of the total population of the nation within four years of commencement of the license term and (2) at least 95 percent of the total population of the nation at the end of the 10-year license term.
19. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to provide initial license term of ten years and subsequent renewal terms of ten years.
20. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to provide that mutually exclusive applications should be resolved through competitive bidding.
21. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to require AWS-3 mobiles to attenuate out-of-band emissions (OOBE) by 60 + 10log (P) dB outside of the AWS-3 band, and establish a power limit for AWS-3 mobile devices of 23 dBm/MHz equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP).
22. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to require an OOBE limit of 43 + 10 log (P) dB for AWS-3 base and fixed downlink stations and a power limit of 1640 watts peak EIRP in non-rural areas and 3280 watts peak EIRP in rural areas.
23. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to license the H Block using exclusive geographic area licensing on a Basic Trading Area (BTA) basis.
24. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to adopt open eligibility for the H Block.
25. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to allow licensees to disaggregate, partition, and lease the spectrum.
26. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to require an H Block licensee to provide signal coverage and offer service to: 1) at least 35 percent of the population in each licensed area within four years and 2) at least 70 percent of the population in each licensed area at the end of the license term.
27. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to provide an initial license term of ten years and subsequent renewal terms of ten years.
28. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to provide that mutually exclusive applications should be resolved through competitive bidding.
29. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to require H Block licensees in the 1915-1920 MHz band to pay a pro rata share of expenses previously incurred by UTAM Inc. in clearing that band.
30. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to adopt both relocation requirements for H Block entrants in the 1995-2000 MHz band and procedures for cost-sharing among other new entrants in the Broadcast Auxiliary Service band, including Sprint Nextel and Mobile Satellite Service entrants.
31. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to prohibit base and fixed transmission in the 1915-1920 MHz band.
32. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to require mobiles at 1915-1920 MHz to attenuate OOBE by 90 + 10log P dB within the PCS band (1930-1990 MHz band), and establish a power limit for mobiles of 23 dBm/MHz EIRP.
33. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to prohibit mobile transmission in the 1995-2000 MHz band.
34. In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on its proposal to adopt an OOBE limit of 43 + 10 log (P) dB for base and fixed stations at 1995-2000 MHz and a power limit of 1640 watts peak EIRP in non-rural areas and 3280 watts peak EIRP in rural areas.
36. The proposed action is authorized pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 4(i), 7, 10, 201, 214, 301, 302, 303, 307, 308, 309, 310, 319, 324, 332 and 333 of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i), 157, 160, 201, 214, 301, Start Printed Page 35999302, 303, 307, 308, 309, 310, 319, 324, 332, 333.
37. 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.[8] The RFA generally defines the term “small entity” as having the same meaning as the terms “small business,” “small organization,” and “small governmental jurisdiction.” [9] In addition, the term “small business” has the same meaning as the term “small business concern” under the Small Business Act.[10] A “small business concern” is one which: (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).[11]
38. The Commission has not yet determined how many licenses will be awarded in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands. Moreover, the Commission does not yet know how many applicants or licensees in these bands will be small entities. Though the Commission does not know for certain which entities are likely to apply for these frequencies, we note that the H Block and AWS-3 band are comparable to cellular service and personal communications service.[12] Accordingly, we believe the following sorts of regulated entities might ultimately also be applicants or licensees in this context and thus might be directly affected by our contemplated rules.
39. Small Businesses. Nationwide, there are a total of approximately 22.4 million small businesses, according to SBA data.[13]
40. Small Organizations. Nationwide, there are approximately 1.6 million small organizations.[14]
41. Small Governmental Jurisdictions. The term “small governmental jurisdiction” is defined as “governments of cities, towns, townships, villages, school districts, or special districts, with a population of less than fifty thousand.” [15] As of 2002, there were approximately 87,525 governmental jurisdictions in the United States.[16] This number includes 38,967 county governments, municipalities, and townships, of which 37,373 (approximately 95.9%) have populations of fewer than 50,000, and of which 1,594 have populations of 50,000 or more. Thus, we estimate the number of small governmental jurisdictions overall to be 85,931 or fewer.
42. Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite). Since 2007, the Census Bureau has placed wireless firms within this new, broad, economic census category.[17] Prior to that time, such firms were within the now-superseded categories of “Paging” and “Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications.” [18] Under the present and prior categories, the SBA has deemed a wireless business to be small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.[19] Because Census Bureau data are not yet available for the new category, we will estimate small business prevalence using the prior categories and associated data. For the category of Paging, data for 2002 show that there were 807 firms that operated for the entire year.[20] Of this total, 804 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and three firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more.[21] For the category of Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications, data for 2002 show that there were 1,397 firms that operated for the entire year.[22] Of this total, 1,378 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees, and 19 firms had employment of 1,000 employees or more.[23] Thus, we estimate that the majority of wireless firms are small.
43. Wireless Telephony. Wireless telephony includes cellular, personal communications services, and specialized mobile radio telephony carriers. As noted above, the SBA has developed a small business size standard for “Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)” services.[24] Under that SBA small business size standard, a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.[25] According to Commission data, 432 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of wireless telephony.[26] We have estimated that 221 of these are small under the SBA small business size standard.
44. Broadband Personal Communications Service. The broadband personal communications services (PCS) spectrum is divided into six frequency blocks designated A through F, and the Commission has held auctions for each block. The Commission has created a small business size standard for Blocks C and F as an entity that has average gross revenues of less than $40 million in the three previous calendar years.[27] For Block F, an additional small business size standard for “very small business” was added and is defined as an entity that, together with its affiliates, has average gross revenues of not more than $15 million for the preceding three calendar years.[28] These small business size standards, in the context of Start Printed Page 36000broadband PCS auctions, have been approved by the SBA.[29] No small businesses within the SBA-approved small business size standards bid successfully for licenses in Blocks A and B. There were 90 winning bidders that qualified as small entities in the Block C auctions. A total of 93 “small” and “very small” business bidders won approximately 40 percent of the 1,479 licenses for Blocks D, E, and F.[30] On March 23, 1999, the Commission reauctioned 155 C, D, E, and F Block licenses; there were 113 small business winning bidders.[31]
45. On January 26, 2001, the Commission completed the auction of 422 C and F Broadband PCS licenses in Auction No. 35. Of the 35 winning bidders in this auction, 29 qualified as “small” or “very small” businesses.[32] Subsequent events concerning Auction 35, including judicial and agency determinations, resulted in a total of 163 C and F Block licenses being available for grant.
46. Cellular Licensees. As noted, the SBA has developed a small business size standard for wireless firms within the broad economic census category “Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite).” [33] Under this category, a wireless business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. Also, as noted, using Commission data we have estimated that most of these entities are small.
47. The projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements resulting from the FNPRM will apply to all entities in the same manner. The Commission believes that applying the same rules equally to all entities in this context promotes fairness. The Commission does not believe that the costs and/or administrative burdens associated with the rules will unduly burden small entities. The revisions the Commission adopts should benefit small entities by giving them more information, more flexibility, and more options for gaining access to valuable wireless spectrum.
48. Applicants for AWS licenses in the H Block and AWS-3 band will be required to file license applications using the Commission's automated Universal Licensing System (ULS). ULS is an online electronic filing system that also serves as a powerful information tool that enables potential licensees to research applications, licenses, and antennae structures. It also keeps the public informed with weekly public notices, FCC rulemakings, processing utilities, and a telecommunications glossary. Applicants will be required to submit short-form auction applications using FCC Form 175.[34] In addition, winning bidders must submit long-form license applications through ULS using Form 601,[35] FCC Ownership Disclosure Information for the Wireless Telecommunications Services using FCC Form 602, and other appropriate forms.[36]
49. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant, specifically small business, alternatives that it has considered in reaching its proposed approach, which may include the following four alternatives (among others): “(1) The establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the resources available to small entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance and reporting requirements under the rule for such small entities; (3) the use of performance rather than design standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for such small entities.” [37]
50. Here, we propose service rules that are efficient and also fair to all entities, including small entities. We also note that, specifically to assist small businesses, the associated AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM propose to establish small business size standards and associated small business bidding credits for the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2155-2175 MHz, and 2175-2180 MHz bands.[38] The AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM propose to define a small business as an entity with average annual gross revenues for the preceding three years not exceeding $40 million, and a very small business as an entity with average annual gross revenues for the preceding three years not exceeding $15 million, if licenses are not nationwide.[39] The AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM propose a bidding credit of 15 percent for small businesses and a bidding credit of 25 percent for very small businesses under certain circumstances.[40]
51. The AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM also solicit comment on a number of proposals and alternatives regarding the service rules for the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2155-2175 MHz, and 2175-2180 MHz bands.[41] The AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM seek to adopt rules that will reduce regulatory burdens, promote innovate services and encourage flexible use of this spectrum. It opens up economic opportunities to a variety of spectrum users, which could include small businesses. The AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM consider various proposals and alternatives partly because the Commission seeks to minimize, to the extent possible, the economic impact on small businesses.[42]
52. The AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM invite comment on various alternative licensing and service rules and on a number of issues relating to how the Commission should craft service rules for this spectrum, which could have an impact on small entities. For example, the Commission seeks comment on the licensing approach for these frequencies and how the size of spectrum blocks would impact small entities.[43] The AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM seek proposals for a geographic area approach to geographic areas as opposed to a station-defined licensing approach.[44]
53. The regulatory burdens proposed in the AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM, such as filing applications on appropriate forms, appear necessary in order to ensure that the public receives the benefits of innovative new services, or enhanced existing services, in a prompt and efficient manner. The Commission will continue to examine Start Printed Page 36001alternatives in the future with the objectives of eliminating unnecessary regulations and minimizing any significant economic impact on small entities. The Commission invites comment on any additional significant alternatives parties believe should be considered and on how the approach outlined in the AWS-2 NPRM and the AWS-3 NPRM will impact small entities, including small businesses and small government entities.
56. Pursuant to sections 1, 2, 4(i), 7, 10, 201, 214, 301, 302, 303, 307, 308, 309, 310, 319, 324, 332 and 333 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i), 157, 160, 201, 214, 301, 302, 303, 307, 308, 309, 310, 319, 324, 332, 333, that this FNPRM is hereby adopted.
57. Notice is given of the proposed regulatory changes described in this FNPRM, and that comment is sought on these proposals.
58. It is further ordered that the Supplemental Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is adopted.
(a) Basis. The rules for miscellaneous wireless communications services (WCS) in this part are promulgated under the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, that vest authority in the Federal Communications Commission to regulate radio transmission and to issue licenses for radio stations.
(c) Scope. The rules in this part apply only to stations authorized under this part.
3. Section 27.4 is amended by adding the definitions for “Downlink Fixed Station ” and “Uplink Fixed Station” in alphabetical order to read as follows:
Downlink Fixed Station. A fixed station employed by a carrier or licensee to transmit to an end user's fixed station.
Uplink Fixed Station. A fixed station employed by an end user to transmit to a carrier's or licensee's fixed stations.
(j) 2155-2180 MHz band. The 2155-2180 MHz band is available for assignment for Advanced Wireless Services.
(k) The paired 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz. The paired 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz bands are available for assignment for Advanced Wireless Services. Each winning bidder awarded a license in the initial AWS auction for spectrum authorizations in the 1915-1920 MHz band must reimburse UTAM, Inc. a pro rata share of the total expenses incurred by UTAM, Inc. as of the date that the new entrants gain access to the band. Specifically, AWS licensees in the 1915-1920 MHz band, which constitutes 25% of the 1910-1930 MHz band, shall, on a pro rata shared basis, reimburse 25% of the total relocation costs incurred by UTAM, Inc. in clearing the 1910-1930 MHz band of part 101 Fixed Microwave Service (FS) links. We will require a winning bidder of an AWS H Block license (1915-1920 MHz; 1995-2000 MHz) to reimburse UTAM, Inc., pursuant to the following formula within 30 days of grant of their long-form application for the license. The amount owed will be determined by multiplying the net winning bid for an H Block license (i.e., an individual BTA) by $12,629,857 and then dividing by the sum of the net winning bids for all H Block licenses won in the initial auction. New entrants will be responsible for the actual costs associated with future relocation activities in their licensed spectrum, but will be entitled to seek reimbursement from UTAM, Inc. for the proportion of those band clearing costs that benefit users of the 1910-1915 MHz and 1920-1930 MHz band. Because the Commission's rules governing the relocation of FS licensees from this band and the right to compensation for costs associated with such relocation has already sunset on April 4, 2005, AWS licensees at 1915-1920 MHz are not responsible for reimbursing PCS entities for any costs incurred by PCS entities, other than those incurred by UTAM, Inc., as noted above, for the relocation of FS links that may otherwise have triggered a cost-sharing obligation absent the sunset date for those rules.
(a) WCS and AWS service areas include Basic Trading Areas (as defined in § 24.202(b) of this chapter), Economic Areas (EAs), Major Economic Areas (MEAs), Regional Economic Area Groupings (REAGs), cellular markets comprising Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Rural Service Areas (RSAs), and a nationwide area. MEAs and REAGs are defined in the Table immediately following paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Both MEAs and REAGs are based on the U.S. Department of Commerce's EAs. See 60 FR 13114 March 10, 1995. In addition, the Start Printed Page 36002Commission shall separately license Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Gulf of Mexico, which have been assigned Commission-created EA numbers 173-176, respectively. The nationwide area is composed of the contiguous 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, the Gulf of Mexico, and the U.S. territories. Maps of the EAs, MEAs, MSAs, RSAs, and REAGs and the Federal Register notice that established the 172 EAs are available for public inspection and copying at the Reference Information Center, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
(h) Advanced Wireless Services (AWS ). AWS service areas for the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz, 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands are as follows:
(j) 2155-2180 MHz band. Authorization for the 2155-2180 MHz band shall consist of a single 25 megahertz block of spectrum based on the geographic area specified in § 27.6(h).
(k) The paired 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz bands. Authorizations for the paired 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz bands shall consist of two paired channels of 5 megahertz each based on the geographic areas specified in § 27.6(h).
(i) 2155-2180 MHz band. Initial authorizations for the 2155-2180 MHz band will have a term not to exceed ten years from the date of initial issuance or renewal.
(j) The paired 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz bands. Initial authorizations for the paired 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz bands will have a term not to exceed ten years from the date of initial issuance or renewal.
(a) AWS and WCS licensees, with the exception of WCS licensees holding authorizations for Block A in the 698-704 MHz and 728-734 MHz bands, Block B in the 704-710 MHz and 734-740 MHz bands, Block E in the 722-728 MHz band, Block C, C1, or C2 in the 746-757 MHz and 776-787 MHz bands, or Block D in the 758-763 MHz and 788-793 MHz bands, and with the exception of AWS licensees holding authorizations in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands, must, as a performance requirement, make a showing of “substantial service” in their license area within the prescribed license term set forth in § 27.13. “Substantial service” is defined as service which is sound, favorable and substantially above a level of mediocre service which just might minimally warrant renewal. Failure by any licensee to meet this requirement will result in forfeiture of the license and the licensee will be ineligible to regain it.
(e) Comparative renewal proceedings do not apply to AWS licensees holding authorizations in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands or to WCS licensees holding authorizations for Block A in the 698-704 MHz, 728-734 MHz bands, Block B in the 704-710 MHz and 734-740 MHz bands, Block C in the 710-716 MHz and 740-746 MHz bands, Block D in the 716-722 MHz band, Block E in the 722-728 MHz band, Block C, C1, or C2 in the 746-757 MHz and 776-787 MHz bands, or Block D in the 758-763 MHz and 788-793 MHz bands. Each of these licensees must file a renewal application in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 1.949 of this chapter, and must make a showing of substantial service, independent of its performance requirements, as a condition for renewal at the end of each license term.
(f) Comparative renewal proceedings do not apply to WCS licensees holding authorizations for the 698-746 MHz, 747-762 MHz, and 777-792 MHz bands. These licensees must file a renewal application in accordance with the Start Printed Page 36003provisions set forth in § 1.949 of this chapter.
(2) If a licensee holding a Block C authorization fails to provide signal coverage and offer service over at least 75 percent of the population in any EA comprising the REAG license area by the end of the license term, for each such EA that licensee's authorization will terminate automatically without Commission action for those geographic portions of its license in which the licensee is not providing service. Such licensee may also be subject to enforcement action, including forfeitures. In the event that a licensee's authority to operate in a license area terminates automatically without Commission action, such areas will become available for reassignment pursuant to the procedures in paragraph (j) of this section. In addition, a REAG licensee that provides signal coverage and offers service at a level that is below this end-of-term benchmark within any EA may be subject to license termination within that EA.
(3) For licenses under paragraph (h) of this section, the geographic service area to be made available for reassignment must include a contiguous area of at least 130 square kilometers (50 square miles), and areas smaller than a contiguous area of at least 130 square kilometers (50 square miles) will not be deemed unserved.
(1) If a licensee holding a cellular market area or EA authorization subject to this paragraph (i) fails to provide signal coverage and offer service over at least 40 percent of the population in its license area by no later than February 17, 2013 (or within four years of initial license grant, if the initial authorization in a market is granted after February 17, 2009), the term of that license authorization will be reduced by two years and such licensee may be subject to enforcement action, including forfeitures. In addition, such licensee that provides signal coverage and offers service at a level that is below this interim benchmark may lose authority to operate in part of the remaining unserved areas of the license. For purposes of compliance with this requirement, licensees should determine population based on the most recently available U.S. Census Data.
(2) If a licensee holding a cellular market area or EA authorization subject to this paragraph (i) fails to provide signal coverage and offer service over at Start Printed Page 36004least 75 percent of the population in its license area by the end of the license term, that licensee's authorization will terminate automatically without Commission action for those geographic portions of its license in which the licensee is not providing service, and those unserved areas will become available for reassignment by the Commission. Such licensee may also be subject to enforcement action, including forfeitures. In the event that a licensee's authority to operate in a license area terminates automatically without Commission action, such areas will become available for reassignment pursuant to the procedures in paragraph (j) of this section. In addition, such a licensee that provides signal coverage and offers service at a level that is below this end-of-term benchmark may be subject to license termination. For purposes of compliance with this requirement, licensees should determine population based on the most recently available U.S. Census Data.
(3) For licenses under this paragraph (i), the geographic service area to be made available for reassignment must include a contiguous area of at least 130 square kilometers (50 square miles), and areas smaller than a contiguous area of at least 130 square kilometers (50 square miles) will not be deemed unserved.
(j) In the event that a licensee's authority to operate in a license area terminates automatically under paragraphs (g), (h), (i), (p) or (q) of this section, such areas will become available for reassignment pursuant to the following procedures:
(1) The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is delegated authority to announce by public notice that these license areas will be made available and establish a 30-day window during which third parties may file license applications to serve these areas. During this 30-day period, licensees that had their authority to operate terminate automatically for unserved areas may not file applications to provide service to these areas. Applications filed by third parties that propose areas overlapping with other applications will be deemed mutually exclusive, and will be resolved through an auction. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, by public notice, may specify a limited period before the filing of short-form applications (FCC Form 175) during which applicants may enter into a settlement to resolve their mutual exclusivity, subject to the provisions of § 1.935 of this chapter.
(2) Following this 30-day period, the original licensee and third parties can file license applications for remaining unserved areas where licenses have not been issued or for which there are no pending applications. If the original licensee or a third party files an application, that application will be placed on public notice for 30 days. If no mutually exclusive application is filed, the application will be granted, provided that a grant is found to be in the public interest. If a mutually exclusive application is filed, it will be resolved through an auction. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, by public notice, may specify a limited period before the filing of short-form applications (FCC Form 175) during which applicants may enter into a settlement to resolve their mutual exclusivity, subject to the provisions of § 1.935 of this chapter.
(3) The licensee will have one year from the date the new license is issued to complete its construction and provide signal coverage and offer service over 100 percent of the geographic area of the new license area. If the licensee fails to meet this construction requirement, its license will automatically terminate without Commission action and it will not be eligible to apply to provide service to this area at any future date.
(k) AWS and WCS licensees holding authorizations in the spectrum blocks enumerated in paragraphs (g), (h), (i), (p), or (q) of this section, including any licensee that obtained its license pursuant to the procedures set forth in paragraph (j) of this section, shall demonstrate compliance with performance requirements by filing a construction notification with the Commission, within 15 days of the expiration of the applicable benchmark, in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 1.946(d) of this chapter. The licensee must certify whether it has met the applicable performance requirements. The licensee must file a description and certification of the areas for which it is providing service. The construction notifications must include electronic coverage maps, supporting technical documentation and any other information as the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau may prescribe by public notice.
(l) AWS and WCS licensees holding authorizations in the spectrum blocks enumerated in paragraphs (g), (h), (i), (p), or (q) of this section, excluding any licensee that obtained its license pursuant to the procedures set forth in paragraph (j) of this section, shall file reports with the Commission that provide the Commission, at a minimum, with information concerning the status of their efforts to meet the performance requirements applicable to their authorizations in such spectrum blocks and the manner in which that spectrum is being utilized. The information to be reported will include the date the license term commenced, a description of the steps the licensee has taken toward meeting its construction obligations in a timely manner, including the technology or technologies and service(s) being provided, and the areas within the license area in which those services are available.
(1) Each WCS licensee holding an authorization in the spectrum blocks enumerated in paragraphs (g), (h), or (i) of this section shall file its first report with the Commission no later than February 17, 2011 and no sooner than 30 days prior to this date. Each licensee that meets its interim benchmarks shall file a second report with the Commission no later than February 17, 2016 and no sooner than 30 days prior to this date. Each licensee that does not meet its interim benchmark shall file this second report no later than on February 17, 2015 and no sooner than 30 days prior to this date.
(2) Each AWS licensee holding an authorization in the spectrum blocks enumerated in paragraphs (p) or (q) of this section shall file its first report with the Commission no later than two years from the date on which the original license was issued and no sooner than 30 days prior to this date. Each licensee that meets its interim benchmarks shall file a second report with the Commission no later than seven years from the date on which the original license was issued and no sooner than 30 days prior to this date. Each licensee that does not meet its interim benchmark shall file this second report no later than six years from the date on which the original license was issued and no sooner than 30 days prior to this date.
(m) The WCS licensee holding the authorization for the D Block in the 758-763 MHz and 788-793 MHz bands (the Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee) shall comply with the following construction requirements.
(1) The Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee shall provide a signal coverage and offer service over at least 75 percent of the population of the nationwide Upper 700 MHz D Block license area within four years from February 17, 2009, 95 percent of the population of the nationwide license area within seven years, and 99.3 percent of the population of the nationwide license area within ten years.
(2) The Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee may modify, to a limited degree, its population-based construction benchmarks with the agreement of the Public Safety Start Printed Page 36005Broadband Licensee and the prior approval of the Commission, where such a modification would better serve to meet commercial and public safety needs.
(3) The Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee shall meet the population benchmarks based on a performance schedule specified in the Network Sharing Agreement, taking into account performance pursuant to § 27.1327 as appropriate under that rule, and using the most recently available U.S. Census Data. The network and signal levels employed to meet these benchmarks must be adequate for public safety use, as defined in the Network Sharing Agreement, and the services made available must include those appropriate for public safety entities that operate in those areas. The schedule shall include coverage for major highways and interstates, as well as such additional areas that are necessary to provide coverage for all incorporated communities with a population in excess of 3,000, unless the Public Safety Broadband Licensee and the Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee jointly determine, in consultation with a relevant community, that such additional coverage will not provide significant public benefit.
(4) The Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee shall demonstrate compliance with performance requirements by filing a construction notification with the Commission within 15 days of the expiration of the applicable benchmark, in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 1.946(d) of this chapter. The licensee must certify whether it has met the applicable performance requirement and must file a description and certification of the areas for which it is providing service. The construction notifications must include the following:
(i) Certifications of the areas that were scheduled for construction and service by that date under the Network Sharing Agreement for which it is providing service, the type of service it is providing for each area, and the type of technology it is utilizing to provide this service.
(ii) Electronic coverage maps and supporting technical documentation providing the assumptions used by the licensee to create the coverage maps, including the propagation model and the signal strength necessary to provide service.
(n) At the end of its license term, the Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee must, in order to renew its license, make a showing of its success in meeting the material requirements set forth in the Network Sharing Agreement as well as all other license conditions, including the performance benchmark requirements set forth in this section.
(p) AWS licensees holding authorizations in the 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz shall provide signal coverage and offer service to at least 35 percent of the population in each licensed area within four years of the date on which the original license was issued and at least 70 percent of the population in each licensed area at the end of the license term.
(1) If any AWS licensee holding an authorization in the 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz bands fails to provide signal coverage and offer service to at least 35 percent of the population in the licensed area within four years of the date on which the original license was issued, the term of that license authorization will be reduced by two years and such licensee may be subject to enforcement action, including forfeitures. In addition, the licensee may lose authority to operate in part of the remaining unserved areas of the license.
(2) If any AWS licensee holding an authorization in the 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz fails to provide signal coverage and offer service to at least 70 percent of the population in each licensed area at the end of the license term, that licensee's authorization will terminate automatically without Commission action for those geographic portions of its license in which the licensee is not providing service, and those unserved areas will become available for reassignment by the Commission. Such licensee may also be subject to enforcement action, including forfeitures. In addition, a licensee that provides signal coverage and offers service at a level that is below the end-of-term benchmark may be subject to license termination. In the event that a licensee's authority to operate in a license area terminates automatically without Commission action, such areas will become available for reassignment pursuant to the procedures in paragraph (j) of this section.
(3) For licenses under paragraphs (g), (h), and (i), the geographic service area to be made available to new entrants must include a contiguous area of at least 130 square kilometers (50 square miles), and areas smaller than a contiguous area of at least 130 square kilometers (50 square miles) will not be deemed unserved.
(4) To demonstrate compliance with these performance requirements, licensees shall use the most recently available U.S. Census Data at the time of measurement and shall base their measurements of population served on areas no larger than the Census Tract level. The population within a specific Census Tract (or other acceptable identifier) will only be deemed served by the licensee if it provides signal coverage to and offers service within the specific Census Tract (or other acceptable identifier). To the extent the Census Tract (or other acceptable identifier) extends beyond the boundaries of a license area, a licensee with authorizations for such areas may only include the population within the Census Tract (or other acceptable identifier) towards meeting the performance requirement of a single, individual license.
(q) Any AWS licensee holding an authorization in the 2155-2180 MHz band shall provide signal coverage and offer service to at least 50 percent of the total U.S. population within four years of the date on which the original license was issued and at least 95 percent of the total U.S. population at the end of the license term. If any licensee in this band elects not to meet its performance requirements based on the percent of the U.S. population served, it shall provide signal coverage and offer service to at least 35 percent of the population in each Cellular Market Area (CMA) or Economic Area (EA) in its licensed area within four years and at least 70 percent of the population in each CMA or EA in its licensed area at the end of the license term.
(1) If any AWS licensee holding an authorization in the 2155-2180 MHz band fails to establish that it meets the applicable performance requirement within four years of the date on which the original license was issued, the term of that license authorization will be reduced by two years and such licensee may be subject to enforcement action, including forfeitures. In addition, the licensee may lose authority to operate in part of the remaining unserved areas of the license.
(2) If any AWS licensee holding an authorization in the 2155-2180 MHz band fails to establish that it meets the applicable performance requirement at the end of the license term, that licensee's authorization will terminate automatically without Commission action for those geographic portions of its license in which the licensee is not providing service, and those unserved areas will become available for reassignment by the Commission. Such licensee may also be subject to enforcement action, including forfeitures. In addition, a licensee that provides signal coverage and offers service at a level that is below the end-of-term benchmark may be subject to Start Printed Page 36006license termination. In the event that a licensee's authority to operate in a license area terminates automatically without Commission action, such areas will become available for reassignment pursuant to the procedures in paragraph (j) of this section.
9. Section 27.15 is revised to read as follows:
(2) AWS and WCS licensees may apply to partition their licensed geographic service area or disaggregate their licensed spectrum at any time following the grant of their licenses.
(b) Technical Standards: (1) Partitioning. In the case of partitioning, applicants and licensees must file FCC Form 603 pursuant to § 1.948 of this chapter and list the partitioned service area on a schedule to the application. The geographic coordinates must be specified in degrees, minutes, and seconds to the nearest second of latitude and longitude and must be based upon the 1983 North American Datum (NAD83).
(c) License term. The license term for a partitioned license area and for disaggregated spectrum shall be the remainder of the original licensee's license term as provided for in § 27.13.
(d) Compliance with construction requirements: (1) Partitioning. (i) Except for AWS licensees in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands and WCS licensees holding authorizations for Block A in the 698-704 MHz and 728-734 MHz bands, Block B in the 704-710 MHz and 734-740 MHz bands, Block E in the 722-728 MHz band, Blocks C, C1, or C2 in the 746-757 MHz and 776-787 MHz bands, or Block D in the 758-763 MHz and 788-793 MHz bands, the following rules apply to WCS and AWS licensees holding authorizations for purposes of implementing the construction requirements set forth in § 27.14. Parties to partitioning agreements have two options for satisfying the construction requirements set forth in § 27.14. Under the first option, the partitioner and partitionee each certifies that it will independently satisfy the substantial service requirement for its respective partitioned area. If a licensee subsequently fails to meet its substantial service requirement, its license will be subject to automatic cancellation without further Commission action. Under the section option, the partitioner certifies that it has met or will meet the substantial service requirement for the entire, pre-partitioned geographic service area. If the partitioner subsequently fails to meet its substantial service requirement, only its license will be subject to automatic cancellation without further Commission action.
(ii) For AWS licensees in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands and WCS licensees holding authorizations for Block A in the 698-704 MHz and 728-734 MHz bands, Block B in the 704-710 MHz and 734-740 MHz bands, Block E in the 722-728 MHz band, or Blocks C, C1, and C2 in the 746-757 MHz and 776-787 MHz bands, the following rules apply for purposes of implementing the construction requirements set forth in § 27.14. Parties to partitioning agreements have two options for satisfying the construction requirements set forth in § 27.14. Under the first option, the partitioner and partitionee each certifies that they will collectively share responsibility for meeting the construction requirement for the entire pre-partition geographic license area. If the partitioner and partitionee collectively fail to meet the construction requirement, then both the partitioner and partitionee will be subject to the consequences enumerated in § 27.14(g) and (h) for this failure. Under the second option, the partitioner and partitionee each certifies that it will independently meet the construction requirement for its respective partitioned license area. If the partitioner or partitionee fails to meet the construction requirement for its respective partitioned license area, then the consequences for this failure shall be those enumerated in § 27.14(g) and (h).
(2) Disaggregation. (i) Except for AWS licensees in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands and WCS licensees holding authorizations for Block A in the 698-704 MHz and 728-734 MHz bands, Block B in the 704-710 MHz and 734-740 MHz bands, Block E in the 722-728 MHz band, Blocks C, C1, or C2 in the 746-757 MHz and 776-787 MHz bands, or Block D in the 758-763 MHz and 788-793 MHz bands, the following rules apply to WCS and AWS licensees holding authorizations for purposes of implementing the construction requirements set forth in § 27.14. Parties to disaggregation agreements have two options for satisfying the construction requirements set forth in § 27.14. Under the first option, the disaggregator and disaggregatee each certifies that it will share responsibility for meeting the substantial service requirement for the geographic service area. If the parties choose this option and either party subsequently fails to satisfy its substantial service responsibility, both parties' licenses will be subject to forfeiture without further Commission action. Under the second option, both parties certify either that the disaggregator or the disaggregatee will meet the substantial service requirement for the geographic service area. If the parties choose this option, and the party responsible subsequently fails to meet the substantial service requirement, only that party's license will be subject to forfeiture without further Commission action.
(ii) For AWS licensees in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands and WCS licensees holding authorizations for Block A in the 698-704 MHz and 728-734 MHz bands, Block B in the 704-710 MHz and 734-740 MHz bands, Block E in the 722-728 MHz band, and Blocks C, C1, or C2 in the 746-757 MHz and 776-787 MHz bands, the following rules apply for purposes of implementing the construction requirements set forth in § 27.14. If either the disaggregator or the disaggregatee meets the construction requirements set forth in § 27.14, then these requirements will be considered to be satisfied for both parties. If neither the disaggregator nor the disaggregatee meets the construction requirements, then both parties will be subject to the consequences enumerated in § 27.14(g) and (h) for this failure.
10. Section 27.16 is revised to read as follows:
§ 27.16.
Network access requirements for Block C in the 746-757 and 776-787 MHz bands and for the 2155-2180 MHz band (the AWS-3 Band).
(a) Applicability. This section shall apply only to the authorizations for Block C in the 746-757 and 776-787 MHz bands (700 C Block) assigned as a result of Auction 73 and to the 2155-2180 MHz band (AWS-3 Band). Start Printed Page 36007
(b) Use of devices and applications. Licensees offering service on the 700 C Block and the licensee offering premium or paid services on the AWS-3 Band subject to this section shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice on the licensee's network, and the licensee providing free broadband service on the AWS-3 band subject to this section shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices of their choice on the licensee's network, except:
(1) Insofar as such use would not be compliant with published technical standards reasonably necessary for the management or protection of the licensee's network,
(2) Licensees or lessees providing free broadband service required under § 27.1192 of this part shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of users to use the devices of their choice on the licensee's or lessee's network, or
(3) As required to comply with statute or applicable government regulation.
(c) Technical standards. For purposes of paragraph (b)(1) of this section:
(1) Standards shall include technical requirements reasonably necessary for third parties to access a licensee's network via devices or applications without causing objectionable interference to other spectrum users or jeopardizing network security. The potential for excessive bandwidth demand alone shall not constitute grounds for denying, limiting or restricting access to the network, except as provided in § 27.1192(a)(2) part for the AWS-3 Band.
(3) A licensee shall publish its technical standards, which shall be non-proprietary, no later than the time at which it makes such standards available to any preferred vendors, so that the standards are readily available to customers, equipment manufacturers, application developers, and other parties interested in using or developing products for use on a licensee's networks.
(d) Access requests. (1) Licensees shall establish and publish clear and reasonable procedures for parties to seek approval to use devices or applications on the licensees' networks. A licensee must also provide to potential customers notice of the customers' rights to request the attachment of a device or application to the licensee's network, and notice of the licensee's process for customers to make such requests, including the relevant network criteria.
(2) If a licensee determines that a request for access would violate its technical standards or regulatory requirements, the licensee shall expeditiously provide a written response to the requester specifying the basis for denying access and providing an opportunity for the requester to modify its request to satisfy the licensee's concerns.
11. Section 27.50(d) is revised to read as follows:
(d) The following power and antenna height requirements apply to stations transmitting in the 1710-1755 MHz, 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2110-2180 MHz bands:
(1) The power of each fixed or base station transmitting in the 1995-2000 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands and each base or downlink fixed station transmitting in the 2155-2180 MHz band, and located in any county with population density of 100 or fewer persons per square mile, based upon the most recently available population statistics from the Bureau of the Census, is limited to:
(i) An equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) of 3280 watts when transmitting with an emission bandwidth of 1 MHz or less;
(ii) An EIRP of 3280 watts/MHz when transmitting with an emission bandwidth greater than 1 MHz.
(2) The power of each fixed or base station transmitting in the 1995-2000 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz band and each base or downlink fixed station transmitting in the 2155-2180 MHz band, and located in any geographic location other than that described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section is limited to:
(i) An equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) of 1640 watts when transmitting with an emission bandwidth of 1 MHz or less;
(ii) An EIRP of 1640 watts/MHz when transmitting with an emission bandwidth greater than 1 MHz.
(3) A licensee operating a base or fixed station in the 2110-2155 MHz band or a base or downlink fixed station in the 2155-2180 MHz band and utilizing a power greater than 1640 watts EIRP and greater than 1640 watts/MHz EIRP must coordinate such operations in advance with the following licensees authorized to operate within 120 kilometers (75 miles) of the base or fixed station operating in this band: all Government and non-Government satellite entities in the 2025-2110 MHz band; all Broadband Radio Service (BRS) licensees authorized under Part 27 in the 2155-2160 MHz band; and all advanced wireless services (AWS) licensees authorized to operate on adjacent frequency blocks in the 2110-2180 MHz band.
(4) Fixed, mobile, and portable (hand-held) stations operating in the 1710-1755 MHz band are limited to 1 watt (W) EIRP. Fixed stations operating in the 1710-1755 MHz band are limited to a maximum antenna height of 10 meters above ground. Uplink fixed stations operating in the 1915-1920 MHz and 2155-2180 MHz bands are limited to 2 watts/MHz (W/MHz) peak EIRP. Mobile and portable stations operating in the 1915-1920 MHz and 2155-2180 MHz bands are limited to 200 milliwatts/MHz (mW/MHz) peak EIRP. Mobile and portable stations operating in the 1710-1755 MHz, 1915-1920 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands must employ a means for limiting power to the minimum necessary for successful communications.
(5) Equipment employed must be authorized in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 27.51. Except for mobile, portable, and uplink fixed stations operating in the 1915-1920 MHz and 2155-2180 MHz bands, power measurements for transmissions by stations authorized under this section may be made either in accordance with a Commission-approved average power technique or in compliance with paragraph (d)(6) of this section. In measuring transmissions in this band using an average power technique, the peak-to-average ratio (PAR) of the transmission may not exceed 13 dB.
12. In § 27.53 paragraph (h) is revised to read as follows:
Start Printed Page 36008
(h) For operations in the 1710-1755 MHz, 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2110-2180 MHz bands, the power of any emission outside a licensee's frequency block shall be attenuated in accordance with the following:
(1) For all operations in the 1710-1755 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, and 2110-2155 MHz bands and for all base and downlink fixed station operations in the 2155-2180 MHz band, the power of any emission outside a licensee's frequency block shall be attenuated below the transmitter power (P) by at least 43 + 10 log10 (P) dB;
(2) For all mobile, portable, and uplink fixed station operations in the 2155-2180 MHz band, the power of any emission outside a licensee's frequency block shall be attenuated below the transmitter power (P) by at least 60 + 10 log10 (P) dB;
(3) For all operations in the 1915-1920 MHz band, the power of any emission outside a licensee's frequency block shall be attenuated below the transmitter power (P) by at least 43 + 10 log10 (P) dB and the power of any emission on frequencies above 1930 MHz shall be attenuated below the transmitter power (P) by at least 90 + 10 log10 (P) dB;
(4) Compliance with these provisions are based on the use of measurement instrumentation employing a resolution bandwidth of 1 megahertz or greater. However, in the 1 megahertz bands immediately outside and adjacent to the licensee's frequency block, a resolution bandwidth of at least one percent of the emission bandwidth of the fundamental emission of the transmitter may be employed. The emission bandwidth is defined as the width of the signal between two points, one below the carrier center frequency and one above the carrier center frequency, outside of which all emissions are attenuated at least 26 dB below the transmitter power;
(5) When measuring the emission limits, the nominal carrier frequency shall be adjusted as close to the licensee's frequency block edges, both upper and lower, as the design permits;
(6) The measurements of emission power can be expressed in peak or average values, provided they are expressed in the same parameters as the transmitter power.
(1) 1995-2000, 2110-2180, 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands: 47 dBμV/m.
(2) 698-758 and 775-787 MHz bands: 40 dBμV/m.
(3) The paired 1392-1395 MHz and 1432-1435 MHz bands and the unpaired 1390-1392 MHz band (1.4 GHz band): 47 dBμV/m.
(4) BRS and EBS: The predicted or measured median field strength at any location on the geographical border of a licensee's service area shall not exceed the value specified unless the adjacent affected service area licensee(s) agree(s) to a different field strength. This value applies to both the initially offered services areas and to partitioned services areas. Licensees may exceed this signal level where there is no affected licensee that is constructed and providing service. Once the affected licensee is providing service, the original licensee will be required to take whatever steps necessary to comply with the applicable power level at its GSA boundary, absent consent from the affected licensee.
(i) Prior to transition, the signal strength at any point along the licensee's GSA boundary does not exceed the greater of that permitted under the licensee's Commission authorizations as of January 10, 2005 or 47 dBμV/m.
(ii) Following transition, for stations in the LBS and UBS, the signal strength at any point along the licensee's GSA boundary must not exceed 47 dBμV/m. This field strength is to be measured at 1.5 meters above the ground over the channel bandwidth (i.e., each 5.5 MHz channel for licensees that hold a full channel block, and for the 5.5 MHz channel for licensees that hold individual channels).
(iii) Following transition, for stations in the MBS, the signal strength at any point along the licensee's GSA boundary must not exceed the greater of −73.0 + 10 log(X/6) dBW/m2 , where X is the bandwidth in megahertz of the channel, or for facilities that are substantially similar to the licensee's pre-transition facilities (including modifications that do not alter the fundamental nature or use of the transmissions), the signal strength at such point that resulted from the station's operations immediately prior to the transition, provided that such operations complied with paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section.
(b) Power flux density limit for stations operating in the 698-746 MHz bands. For base and fixed stations operating in the 698-746 MHz band in accordance with the provisions of § 27.50(c)(6), the power flux density that would be produced by such stations through a combination of antenna height and vertical gain pattern must not exceed 3000 microwatts per square meter on the ground over the area extending to 1 km from the base of the antenna mounting structure.
(c) Power flux density limit for stations operating in the 746-757 MHz, 758-763 MHz, 776-787 MHz, and 788-793 MHz bands. For base and fixed stations operating in the 746-757 MHz, 758-763 MHz, 776-787 MHz, and 788-793 MHz bands in accordance with the provisions of § 27.50(b)(6), the power flux density that would be produced by such stations through a combination of antenna height and vertical gain pattern must not exceed 3000 microwatts per square meter on the ground over the area extending to 1 km from the base of the antenna mounting structure.
14. Section 27.1191 and an undesignated center heading is added to read as follows:
§ 27.1191
Free wireless broadband service requirement in the 2155-2180 MHz band.
(a) Applicability. This section shall apply only to an authorization in the 2155-2180 MHz “AWS-3” band.
(b) Provision of free broadband service. A licensee (including lessees) offering any service on spectrum subject to this section must utilize up to twenty-five percent of its AWS-3 wireless network capacity to provide free two-way wireless broadband Internet service (“free broadband service”) at a minimum engineered data rate of 768 kbps downstream per user.
(1) To the extent that a licensee meets all demand for the free broadband service and is providing such service at a minimum engineered data rate of 768 kbps downstream per user, such licensee can utilize more than seventy-five percent of its wireless network capacity for any other service authorized to operate in this band.
(2) On a per base-station or per market basis, a 2155-2180 MHz licensee will not be required to maintain the minimum data rate when and where meeting additional demand for the free broadband service would require more than twenty-five percent of wireless network capacity. Once demand reaches Start Printed Page 36009twenty-five percent of wireless network capacity, a 2155-2180 MHz licensee has the discretion to manage any additional demand for free service using any lawful network management protocol.
(3) Broadband users not required to pay any compensation for any of the broadband services that they receive are considered to receive free broadband service. If a broadband user pays any compensation for any broadband service directly or indirectly affiliated with the licensee, the user does not receive free service. For purposes of this requirement, wireless broadband users receive either free or fee-base service, not both. The compensation paid for broadband service does not include any compensation paid for user/customer equipment. A minimum engineered data rate means that the wireless network is designed, constructed, and implemented to provide meet or exceed the minimum data rate as measured to/from user devices and the AWS-3 licensee's wireless facilities. The minimum engineered data rate is subject to future reassessments by the Commission, including during the term of the license.
(c) Availability of free broadband service. A 2155-2180 MHz licensee must make available free broadband service whenever and wherever the licensee offers any other service that uses AWS-3 spectrum (even if other such services are offered prior to the performance deadlines set forth in § 27.14 for the AWS-3 band).
(d) Geographic partitioning, spectrum disaggregation, license assignment, and transfer. A licensee is not restricted from assigning, transferring, partitioning, or leasing 2155-2180 MHz spectrum. In such case, the free broadband requirement would apply to the licensee's or lessee's network in the AWS-3 band.
(e) User equipment. A 2155-2180 MHz licensee and/or third party vendor is authorized to determine user/customer equipment pricing, features, and availability, so long as such determinations are reasonable and non-discriminatory and in compliance with § 27.16.
(f) Fee-based services. Subject to the provisions in this section, a 2155-2180 MHz licensee may provide and prioritize fee-based services as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. Users and use of the wireless network for any fee-based service may not be counted towards satisfaction of the requirement to provide free broadband service.
(g) Fee-based broadband services provided by non-facilities based wholesale customers of a 2155-2180 MHz licensee. Fee-based broadband services provided by non-facilities based wholesale customers of a 2155-2180 MHz licensee that use such licensee's network capacity is not required to provide free broadband service, although such use of the licensee's network capacity shall be included in any determination of the licensee's compliance with the free broadband service requirement.
(h) Burden of proof. Once a complainant sets forth a prima facie case that a 2155-2180 MHz licensee is in violation of the free broadband service requirement, such licensee shall have the burden of proof to demonstrate that it is in compliance. Application of the same lawful network management protocol utilized by the licensee to manage fee-based traffic is presumptively reasonable.
15. Add new § 27.1193 to read as follows:
§ 27.1193
Content Network Filtering Requirement.
(1) Inform new customers that the filtering is in place and must otherwise provide on-screen notice to users. It may also choose additional means to keep the public informed of the filtering, such as storefront or Web site notices;
(2) Use best efforts to employ filtering to protect children from exposure to inappropriate material as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Should any commercially-available network filters installed not be capable of reviewing certain types of communications, such as peer-to-peer file sharing, the licensee may use other means, such as limiting access to those types of communications as part of the AWS-3 free broadband service, to ensure that inappropriate content as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section not be accessible as part of the service.
16. The authority citation for part 74 continues to read as follows:
17. Revise § 74.690 to read as follows:
(a) New Entrants are collectively defined as those licensees proposing to use emerging technologies to implement Mobile Satellite Services in the 2000-2020 MHz band (MSS licensees), those licensees authorized after July 1, 2004 to implement new Fixed and Mobile services in the 1990-1995 MHz band, and those licensees authorized after September 9, 2004 in the 1995-2000 MHz and 2020-2025 MHz bands. New entrants may negotiate with Broadcast Auxiliary Service licensees operating on a primary basis and fixed service licensees operating on a primary basis in the 1990-2025 MHz band (Existing Licensees) for the purpose of agreeing to terms under which the Existing Licensees would relocate their operations to the 2025-2110 MHz band, to other authorized bands, or to other media; or, alternatively, would discontinue use of the 1990-2025 MHz band. New Entrants in the 2020-2025 MHz band are subject to the specific relocation procedures adopted in WT Docket 04-356.
(b) An Existing Licensee in the 1990-2025 MHz band allocated for licensed emerging technology services will maintain primary status in the band until the Existing Licensee's operations are relocated by a New Entrant, are discontinued under the terms of paragraph (a) of this section, or become secondary under the terms of paragraphs (e)(6) or (f)(1)(a) of this section or the Existing Licensee indicates to a New Entrant that it declines to be relocated.
(1) The service applicant, provider, licensee, or representative using an emerging technology guarantees payment of all relocation costs, including all engineering, equipment, Start Printed Page 36010site and FCC fees, as well as any reasonable additional costs that the relocated Existing Licensee might incur as a result of operation in another authorized band or migration to another medium;
(2) Before negotiating with MSS licensees, Existing Licensees in Nielsen Designated Market Areas where there is a BAS frequency coordinator must coordinate and select a band plan for the market area. If an Existing Licensee wishes to operate in the 2025-2110 MHz band using the channels A03-A07 as specified in the Table in § 74.602(a) of this part, then all licensees within that Existing Licensee's market must agree to such operation and all must operate on a secondary basis to any licensee operating on the channel plan specified in § 74.602(a)(3) of this part. All negotiations must produce solutions that adhere to the market area's band plan.
(f) The 1995-2000 MHz band is allocated for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). AWS licensees in this band are New Entrants as defined in paragraph (a) of this section and therefore must comply with sections (a), (b), (c), (d), and (f) of this section to the extent AWS entrants seek to relocate Broadcast Auxiliary Service licensees operating on a primary basis and fixed service licensees operating on a primary basis in the 1990-2025 MHz band (Existing Licensees).
(1) New entrants are required to protect Existing Licensees in this band from interference.
(i) An AWS licensee may not begin operations in a specific Nielsen Designated Market Area (DMA) until all incumbent operations in that DMA have been either relocated by an MSS licensee, an AWS entrant, or another licensee; or discontinued pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a) of this section. If Existing Licensees remain in the band after December 9, 2013, they must cease operations within six months of receiving a written demand from either an MSS licensee or an AWS licensee.
(ii) An AWS licensee in this band is required conform to the technical criteria specified in TIA Bulletin TSB 10-F, or procedures other than TSB 10-F that follow generally acceptable good engineering practices pursuant to § 101.105(c) of this chapter, to determine whether its operations in the 1995-2000 MHz band would cause interference to the operations of Existing Licensees in the 1990-2025 MHz band. To the extent that the TSB 10-F demonstrates that an AWS licensee may cause interference to Existing Licensees in an adjacent DMA, the AWS licensee must either relocate the Existing Licensees or revise its proposed operations to ensure, in accordance with the technical criteria in the TSB 10-F, that its revised operations will not cause interference to Existing Licensees in adjacent DMAs.
(2) If a specific DMA has not yet been cleared and an AWS licensee seeks to begin operations in the specific DMA, an AWS licensee may negotiate with an Existing Licensee for the purpose of agreeing to terms under which the Existing Licensees would relocate their operations to one of the channel plans specified in § 74.602(a)(3) to other authorized bands, or to other media; or, alternatively, would discontinue use of the 1990-2025 MHz band. An AWS licensee may negotiate individually or collectively for relocation of Existing Licensees, but the AWS licensee is required to coordinate its anticipated clearance schedule with other New Entrants. New entrants are expected to work cooperatively with all interested parties to avoid duplicative efforts and undue delay in the negotiation and transition process. Parties may not decline to negotiate, though Existing Licensees may decline to be relocated. The good faith provisions set-forth in § 101.73 of this chapter apply throughout the negotiation and relocation process.
(3) If a mandatory negotiation period for or an involuntary relocation of Existing Licensees in a particular DMA has already been triggered pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section or pursuant to provisions set-forth elsewhere in this chapter or by order in WT Docket 02-55, ET Docket 00-258, or ET Docket 95-18, an AWS licensee seeking to operate in that particular DMA will not trigger a new negotiation or involuntary relocation schedule pursuant to this section. If such has not occurred with respect to a specific DMA, the following shall apply to AWS licensees at 1995-2000 MHz: Start Printed Page 36011
(i) Existing Licensees in DMAs 1-30, as such DMAs existed on September 6, 2000, are subject to involuntary relocation. Under involuntary relocation, the Existing Licensees are required to relocate providing that the New Entrant complies with the requirements set-forth in paragraph (c) of this section and furnishes Existing Licensees with comparable facilities, as defined in § 101.75 (b) of this chapter.
(ii) For the remaining DMAs, as such DMAs existed on September 6, 2000, a one-year mandatory negotiation period will commence between Existing Licensees and New Entrants (if such has not already occurred or been triggered) when an AWS licensee approaches any Existing Licensee operating in the specific DMA. Mandatory negotiations shall be conducted in accordance with the good faith provisions set-forth in § 101.73 of this chapter with the goal of providing the Existing Licensees with comparable facilities, as defined in § 101.73(d)(1) through (3) of this chapter. After the end of the mandatory negotiation period, an AWS licensee may involuntary relocate any Existing Licensees with which they have been unable to reach a negotiated agreement.
(iii) To the extent the Commission adopts an earlier transition date to relocate Existing Licensees in a specific DMA in WT Docket 02-55, ET Docket 00-258, or ET Docket 95-18, AWS licensees and Existing Licensees shall comply with the requirements set-forth and adopted in those proceedings.
18. The authority citation for part 78 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. Secs. 2, 3, 4, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 48 Stat., as amended, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1085; 47 U.S.C. 152, 153, 154, 301, 303, 307, 308, 309.
19. Section 78.40 is revised as follows:
(a) New Entrants are collectively defined as those licensees proposing to use emerging technologies to implement Mobile Satellite Services in the 2000-2020 MHz band (MSS licensees), those licensees authorized after July 1, 2004 to implement new Fixed and Mobile services in the 1990-1995 MHz band, and those licensees authorized after September 9, 2004 in the 1995-2000 MHz and 2020-2025 MHz bands. New entrants may negotiate with Cable Television Relay Service licensees operating on a primary basis and fixed service licensees operating on a primary basis in the 1990-2025 MHz band (Existing Licensees) for the purpose of agreeing to terms under which the Existing Licensees would relocate their operations to the 2025-2110 MHz band, to other authorized bands, or to other media; or, alternatively, would accept a sharing arrangement with the New Entrants that may result in an otherwise impermissible level of interference to the Existing Licensee's operations. New Entrants in the 2020-2025 MHz band are subject to the specific relocation procedures adopted in WT Docket 04-356.
(b) Existing Licensees in the 1990-2025 MHz band allocated for licensed emerging technology services will maintain primary status in the band until a New Entrant completes relocation of the Existing Licensee's operations, Existing Licensee indicates to a New Entrant that it declines to be relocated, become secondary under the terms of paragraphs (f)(6) or (g)(1)(i) of this section.
(f) Subject to the terms paragraph (f) of this section, the relocation of Existing Licensees will be carried out by MSS licensees in the following manner:
(1) Existing Licensees and MSS licensees may negotiate individually or collectively for relocation of Existing Licensees to one of the channel plans specified in § 74.602(a)(3). Parties may not decline to negotiate, though Existing Licensees may decline to be relocated.
(2) Before negotiating with MSS licensees, Existing Licensees in Nielsen Designated Market Areas where there is a BAS frequency coordinator must coordinate and select a band plan for the market area. If an Existing Licensee wishes to operate in the 2025-2110 MHz band using the channel plan specified in § 78.18(a)(6)(i), then all licensees within that Existing Licensee's market must agree to such operation and all must operate on a secondary basis to any licensee operating on the channel plan specified in § 78.18(a)(6)(ii). All negotiations must produce solutions that adhere to the market area's band plan.
(6) On December 9, 2013, all Existing Licensees will become secondary in the Start Printed Page 360121990-2025 MHz band. Upon written demand by any MSS Licensee, Existing Licensees must cease operations in the 1990-2025 MHz band within six months.
(g) The 1995-2000 MHz band is allocated for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). AWS licensees in this band are New Entrants as defined in paragraph (a) of this section and therefore must comply with sections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) of this section to the extent AWS entrants seek to relocate Broadcast Auxiliary Service licensees operating on a primary basis and fixed service licensees operating on a primary basis in the 1990-2025 MHz band (Existing Licensees).
(1) AWS licensees are required to protect previously Existing Licensees in this band from interference.
(ii) An AWS licensee in this band is required to conform to the technical criteria specified in TIA Bulletin TSB 10-F, or procedures other than TSB 10-F that follow generally acceptable good engineering practices pursuant to § 101.105(c) of this chapter, to determine whether its operations in the 1995-2000 MHz band would cause interference to the operations of Existing Licensees in the 1990-2025 MHz band. To the extent that the TSB 10-F demonstrates that an AWS licensee may cause interference to Existing Licensees in an adjacent DMA, the AWS licensee must either relocate the Existing Licensees or revise its proposed operations to ensure, in accordance with the technical criteria in the TSB 10-F, that its revised operations will not cause interference to Existing Licensees in adjacent DMAs.
(2) If a specific DMA has not yet been cleared and an AWS licensee seeks to begin operations in the specific DMA, an AWS licensee may negotiate with an Existing Licensee for the purpose of agreeing to terms under which the Existing Licensees would relocate their operations to one of the channel plans specified in § 74.602(a)(3) of this chapter, to other authorized bands, or to other media; or, alternatively, would discontinue use of the 1990-2025 MHz band. An AWS licensee may negotiate individually or collectively for relocation of Existing Licensees, but the AWS licensee is required to coordinate its anticipated clearance schedule with other New Entrants. New entrants are expected to work cooperatively with all interested parties to avoid duplicative efforts and undue delay in the negotiation and transition process. Parties may not decline to negotiate, though Existing Licensees may decline to be relocated. The good faith provisions set-forth in § 101.73 of this chapter apply throughout the negotiation and relocation process.
(3) If a mandatory negotiation period for or an involuntary relocation of Existing Licensees in a particular DMA has already been triggered pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section or pursuant to provisions set-forth elsewhere in this chapter or by order in WT Docket 02-55, ET Docket 00-258, or ET Docket 95-18, an AWS licensee seeking to operate in that particular DMA will not trigger a new negotiation or involuntary relocation schedule pursuant to this section. If such has not occurred with respect to a specific DMA, the following shall apply to AWS licensees at 1995-2000 MHz:
(i) Existing Licensees in DMAs 1-30, as such DMAs existed on September 6, 2000, are subject to involuntary relocation. Under involuntary relocation, the Existing Licensees are required to relocate providing that the New Entrant complies with the requirements set-forth in paragraph (c) of this section and furnishes Existing Licensees with comparable facilities, as defined in § 101.75(b) of this chapter.
(ii) For the remaining DMAs, as such DMAs existed on September 6, 2000, a one-year mandatory negotiation period will commence between Existing Licensees and New Entrants (if such has not already occurred or been triggered) when an AWS licensee approaches any Existing Licensee operating in the specific DMA. Mandatory negotiations shall be conducted in accordance with the good faith provisions set-forth in § 101.73 of this chapter with the goal of providing the Existing Licensees with comparable facilities, as defined in § 101.73(d)(1)-(3) of this chapter. After the end of the mandatory negotiation period, an AWS licensee may involuntary relocate any Existing Licensees with which they have been unable to reach a negotiated agreement.
20. The authority citation for part 101 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154, 303.
21. Revise § 101.69 to read as follows: Policies Governing Microwave Relocation From the 1850-1990 and 2110-2200 MHz Bands
(e) Relocation of FMS licensees by Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) licensees, including MSS licensees providing Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) service, will be subject to mandatory negotiations only. Mandatory negotiation periods that are Start Printed Page 36013triggered in the first instance by MSS/ATC licensees are defined as follows:
(f) AWS licensees operating in the 1915-1920 MHz band will follow the requirements and procedures set forth in ET Docket No. 00-258 and WT Docket No. 04-356.
(g) If no agreement is reached during the mandatory negotiation period, an ET licensee may initiate involuntary relocation procedures. Under involuntary relocation, the incumbent is required to relocate, provided that the ET licensee meets the conditions of § 101.75.
22. Section 101.79 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
(a) FMS licensees will maintain primary status in the 1850-1990 MHz, 2110-2150 MHz, and 2160-2200 MHz bands unless and until an ET licensee (including MSS/ATC operator) requires use of the spectrum. ET licensees are not required to pay relocation costs after the relocation rules sunset. Once the relocation rules sunset, an ET licensee may require the incumbent to cease operations, provided that the ET licensee intends to turn on a system within interference range of the incumbent, as determined by TIA TSB 10-F (for terrestrial-to-terrestrial situations) or TIA TSB 86 (for MSS satellite-to-terrestrial situations) or any standard successor. ET licensee notification to the affected FMS licensee must be in writing and must provide the incumbent with no less than six months to vacate the spectrum. After the six-month notice period has expired, the FMS licensee must turn its license back into the Commission, unless the parties have entered into an agreement which allows the FMS licensee to continue to operate on a mutually agreed upon basis. The date that the relocation rules sunset is determined as follows:
(1) For the 2110-2150 MHz and 2160-2180 MHz bands, ten years after the first ET license is issued in the respective band; and
(2) For the 2180-2200 MHz band, December 8, 2013 (i.e., ten years after the mandatory negotiation period begins for MSS/ATC operators in the service).
1. Advanced Wireless Services is the collective term we use for new and innovative fixed and mobile terrestrial wireless applications using bandwidth that is sufficient for the provision of a variety of applications, including those using voice and data (such as Internet browsing, message services, and full-motion video) content. Although AWS is commonly associated with so-called third generation (3G) applications and has been predicted to build on the successes of such current-generation commercial wireless services as cellular and Broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS), the services ultimately provided by AWS licensees are limited only by the Fixed and Mobile designation of the spectrum we allocate for AWS and the service rules we ultimately adopt for the bands.
2. Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz and 2175-2180 MHz Bands, WT Docket No. 04-356, Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 1.7 GHz and 2.1 GHz Bands, WT Docket No. 02-353, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 19 FCC Rcd 19263 (2004) (AWS-2 NPRM ).
3. Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 2155-2175 MHz Band, WT Docket No. 07-195, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 22 FCC Rcd 17035 (2007) (AWS-3 NPRM ).
4. See, e.g., 47 CFR 27.53(c)(1)(2), 27.53(h).
5. See generally 47 CFR 1.1202, 1.1203, 1.1206.
6. Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).
7. 5 U.S.C. 603.
8. 5 U.S.C. 603(b)(3).
9. 5 U.S.C. 601(6).
10. 5 U.S.C. 601(3) (incorporating by reference the definition of “small-business concern” in the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 632). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 601(3), the statutory definition of a small business applies “unless an agency, after consultation with the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and after opportunity for public comment, establishes one or more definitions of such term which are appropriate to the activities of the agency and publishes such definition(s) in the Federal Register.”
11. 15 U.S.C. 632.
12. See, e.g., AWS-2 Service Rules NPRM; AWS-3 Service Rules NPRM.
13. See SBA, Programs and Services, SBA Pamphlet No. CO-0028, at page 40 (July 2002).
14. Independent Sector, The New Nonprofit Almanac & Desk Reference (2002).
16. U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006, Section 8, pages 272-273, Tables 415 and 417.
20. U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 Economic Census, Subject Series: Information, “Establishment and Firm Size (Including Legal Form of Organization)” Table 5, NAICS code 517211 (issued Nov. 2005).
22. U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 Economic Census, Subject Series: Information, “Establishment and Firm Size (Including Legal Form of Organization)” Table 5, NAICS code 517212 (issued Nov. 2005).
24. 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517210.
25. 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517210.
26. FCC, Wireline Competition Bureau, Industry Analysis and Technology Division, “Trends in Telephone Service” at Table 5.3, page 5-5 (Feb. 2007). This source uses data that are current as of October 2005.
27. See Amendment of parts 20 and 24 of the Commission's Rules—Broadband PCS Competitive Bidding and the Commercial Mobile Radio Service Spectrum Cap, Report and Order, 11 FCC Rcd 7824, 7850-7852, paras. 57-60 (1996); see also 47 CFR 24.720(b).
28. See Amendment of parts 20 and 24 of the Commission's Rules—Broadband PCS Competitive Bidding and the Commercial Mobile Radio Service Spectrum Cap, Report and Order, 11 FCC Rcd 7824, 7852, para. 60.
29. See Letter to Amy Zoslov, Chief, Auctions and Industry Analysis Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, from Aida Alvarez, Administrator, Small Business Administration, dated December 2, 1998.
30. FCC News, “Broadband PCS, D, E and F Block Auction Closes,” No. 71744 (released January 14, 1997).
31. See “C, D, E, and F Block Broadband PCS Auction Closes,” public notice, 14 FCC Rcd 6688 (WTB 1999).
32. See “C and F Block Broadband PCS Auction Closes; Winning Bidders Announced,” public notice, 16 FCC Rcd 2339 (2001).
33. 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517210.
34. See generally, 47 CFR 1.2105.
35. 47 CFR 1.913(a)(1).
36. 47 CFR 1.2107.
38. See AWS-2 NPRM, 19 FCC Rcd at 19307-10 para 119-124; AWS-3 NPRM, 22 FCC Rcd at 17096-98 para 150-54.
39. AWS-2 NPRM, 19 FCC Rcd at 19308-09 para 122; AWS-3 NPRM, 22 FCC Rcd at 17097 para 152.
40. AWS-2 NPRM, 19 FCC Rcd at 19309-10 para 123-24; AWS-3 NPRM, 22 FCC Rcd at 17097-98 para 153-54.
41. See generally AWS-2 NPRM; AWS-3 NPRM.
42. AWS-2 NPRM, 19 FCC Rcd at 19325-26 para 26-31; AWS-3 NPRM, 22 FCC Rcd at 17106-08 para 21-25.
43. See AWS-2 NPRM, 19 FCC Rcd at 19272-77 para 21-31; AWS-3 NPRM, 22 FCC Rcd at 17106-08 para 34-38.
44. See AWS-2 NPRM, 19 FCC Rcd at 19271-72 para 18-20; AWS-3 NPRM, 22 FCC Rcd at 17050-51 para 31-33.
[FR Doc. E8-14423 Filed 6-24-08; 8:45 am]