Opinion ID: 6971591
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Amicus Curiae

Text: The FCC contends that the issues raised by the amicus to this case that are beyond the scope of Cellnet’s arguments are not properly before this court. The FCC’s contention is based on two grounds. First, it argues that an amicus may not enlarge the scope of the issues before this court. Second, it argues that this court lacks jurisdiction to consider arguments beyond the scope of the issues presented by the parties to the appeal. The FCC argues that CONXUS has improperly enlarged the scope of this panel’s review by raising issues beyond those raised by Cellnet. The FCC argues that for CONXUS to obtain review of the issues with which it is concerned, it should have filed its own petition for review, after satisfying the prerequisites for this court’s review. Because CONXUS did not participate in the proceedings below nor did it seek reconsideration of the FCC’s order, the FCC argues that it is precluded from obtaining judicial review of the issues it raises. Cellnet has challenged only the sun-setting of the existing resale rule. CONXUS seeks for the resale rule to be extended to narrowband PCS licensees, whereas at present the rule only concerns, inter alia, mde-band PCS licensees. CONXUS argues that it is not expanding the issues presented to this court because it is challenging the same rule that Cellnet challenges and because Cellnet also seeks a remand for reeonsideration of the rule. While an amicus may offer assistance in resolving issues properly before a court, it may not raise additional issues or arguments not raised by the parties. See, e.g., United States v. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., 84 F.3d 1, 6 (1st Cir.1996), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 117 S.Ct. 480, 136 L.Ed.2d 374 (1996); Edison Elec. Inst. v. Occupational Safety and Health Admin., 849 F.2d 611, 625 (D.C.Cir.1988). To the extent that the amicus raises issues or make arguments that exceed those properly raised by the parties, we may not consider such issues. Thus, we may not consider the resale rule vis-a-vis its impact and factors relating to narrowband PCS. 9 Because we do not have jurisdiction to consider CONXUS’s assertion that the FCC did not act reasonably in declining to impose the resale requirement on narrowband PCS licensees, we do not consider the parties’ arguments regarding this issue.