83 FR 21746 - Notice of Temporary Freeze on New or Modified Earth Station Applications in the 3.7-4.2 GHz Band; 90-Day Window for Filing Applications Currently Operating in 3.7-4.2 GHz Band
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 91 (May 10, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 91 (May 10, 2018)
| Page Range | 21746-21747 | |
| FR Document | 2018-09943 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 91 (Thursday, May 10, 2018)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 21746-21747] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-09943] ======================================================================== Proposed Rules Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 91 / Thursday, May 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules [[Page 21746]] FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 25 [GN Docket Nos. 17-183, 18-122; DA 18-398] Notice of Temporary Freeze on New or Modified Earth Station Applications in the 3.7-4.2 GHz Band; 90-Day Window for Filing Applications Currently Operating in 3.7-4.2 GHz Band AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The International, Public Safety and Homeland Security, and Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus (Bureaus) of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announce a temporary freeze, effective April 19, 2018, on the filing of new or modification applications for fixed-satellite service (FSS) earth station licenses, receive-only earth station registrations, and fixed microwave licenses in the 3.7-4.2 GHz frequency band. As a limited exception to the freeze, the International Bureau concurrently opens a 90-day window during which entities that own or operate existing FSS earth stations in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band may file an application to register or license the earth station if it is currently not registered or licensed, or may file an application to modify a current registration or license, in the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS). DATES: Temporary freeze effective April 19, 2018; the 90-day filing window closes on July 18, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Bair, 202-418-0945 or Paul Blais, 202-418-7274. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's document, DA 18-398, released April 19, 2018. The full text of this document is available at https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2018/db0419/DA-18-398A1.pdf. It is also available for inspection and copying during business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities, send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202- 418-0432 (TTY). Background. On August 3, 2017, the Commission released a Notice of Inquiry titled Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz (NOI). In that NOI, the Commission sought detailed comment on frequency bands that had garnered interest to potentially support increased flexible broadband uses, including the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. While recognizing the existing FSS (space-to-Earth) and Fixed Service (FS) uses of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band, the Commission sought comment on the potential for more intensive use of that band for wireless broadband, including asking how current service rules governing geostationary satellite orbit FSS and FS could be modified to promote flexible use, stimulate investment, and encourage more intensive deployment. Temporary Freeze. To preserve the current landscape of authorized operations in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band pending the Commission's consideration of the issues raised in response to the NOI, the Bureaus announce a temporary freeze, effective as of April 19, 2018, on the filing of new or modification applications for earth station licenses, receive-only earth station registrations, and fixed microwave licenses in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. Earth Stations. During the freeze the International Bureau will dismiss applications, or those portions of applications, received for new earth station licenses, new receive-only earth station registrations, and modifications to earth stations currently authorized to operate in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. The freeze does not extend to applications for renewal or cancellation of current earth station authorizations, or modifications to correct location or other data required in the earth station file. Fixed Microwave. During the freeze, the Wireless Telecommunications and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureaus will dismiss applications received for new or major modifications to fixed microwave stations to operate in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. The freeze does not extend to applications for renewal, cancellation, minor modifications, or data corrections. Waiver Requests. The appropriate Bureau will consider requests for waiver of this freeze on a case-by-case basis and upon a demonstration that waiver will serve the public interest and not undermine the objectives of the freeze. 90-day Application Filing Window for Existing FSS Earth Stations. The International Bureau announces a 90-day window for filing applications to license or register existing earth stations in the 3.7- 4.2 GHz frequency band as a limited exception to the implementation of this freeze. For purposes of this Notice, existing earth stations are those that have been constructed and are operational as of April 19, 2018. The filing window will close on July 18, 2018. This filing window provides a limited opportunity to operators with constructed and operational, but currently unregistered or unlicensed, earth stations to file applications to be licensed or registered for interference protection, subject to the outcome of the Commission's ongoing inquiry and any subsequent proceeding(s). Temporary Waiver of Frequency Coordination Requirement. To obtain the best information possible on existing earth stations in this band without imposing a potentially unnecessary economic burden on eligible FSS earth station applicants in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band filing within the 90-day window, the International Bureau hereby grants a temporary waiver of the frequency coordination requirement. Applicants who file within the 90-day window will otherwise be processed normally. Registrations or licenses granted for applications filed without the coordination report will include a condition noting that the license or registration does not afford interference protection from FS transmissions. Upon announcing the termination of the freeze, the International Bureau may modify or terminate the waiver by requiring or permitting registrants or licensees who filed applications within the 90-day window without a coordination report to file such a report as required by the Commission's rules, [[Page 21747]] and to take any appropriate action in light of such filing. Applicants for earth station licenses and registrations must file on FCC Form 312 Main Form, complete Form 312 Schedule B, remit the statutory application-filing fee, and provide any additional information required by applicable rules. Applications must be filed electronically through IBFS at http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs. This document does not contain proposed information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any proposed information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4). Federal Communications Commission. Troy Tanner, Deputy Chief, International Bureau. [FR Doc. 2018-09943 Filed 5-9-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
![21746
Proposed Rules Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 91
Thursday, May 10, 2018
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER db0419/DA-18-398A1.pdf. It is also Bureaus will dismiss applications
contains notices to the public of the proposed available for inspection and copying received for new or major modifications
issuance of rules and regulations. The during business hours in the FCC to fixed microwave stations to operate
purpose of these notices is to give interested Reference Information Center, Portals II, in the 3.7–4.2 GHz band. The freeze
persons an opportunity to participate in the 445 12th Street SW, Room CY–A257, does not extend to applications for
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
Washington, DC 20554. To request renewal, cancellation, minor
materials in accessible formats for modifications, or data corrections.
people with disabilities, send an email Waiver Requests. The appropriate
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS to FCC504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer Bureau will consider requests for waiver
COMMISSION & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202– of this freeze on a case-by-case basis and
418–0530 (voice), 202–418–0432 (TTY). upon a demonstration that waiver will
47 CFR Part 25 Background. On August 3, 2017, the serve the public interest and not
[GN Docket Nos. 17–183, 18–122; DA 18–
Commission released a Notice of Inquiry undermine the objectives of the freeze.
398] titled Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-
Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz 90-day Application Filing Window for
(NOI). In that NOI, the Commission Existing FSS Earth Stations. The
Notice of Temporary Freeze on New or
sought detailed comment on frequency International Bureau announces a 90-
Modified Earth Station Applications in
bands that had garnered interest to day window for filing applications to
the 3.7–4.2 GHz Band; 90-Day Window
potentially support increased flexible license or register existing earth stations
for Filing Applications Currently
broadband uses, including the 3.7–4.2 in the 3.7–4.2 GHz frequency band as a
Operating in 3.7–4.2 GHz Band
GHz band. While recognizing the limited exception to the implementation
AGENCY: Federal Communications existing FSS (space-to-Earth) and Fixed of this freeze. For purposes of this
Commission. Service (FS) uses of the 3.7–4.2 GHz Notice, existing earth stations are those
ACTION: Proposed rule. band, the Commission sought comment that have been constructed and are
on the potential for more intensive use operational as of April 19, 2018. The
SUMMARY: The International, Public filing window will close on July 18,
Safety and Homeland Security, and of that band for wireless broadband,
including asking how current service 2018. This filing window provides a
Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus limited opportunity to operators with
(Bureaus) of the Federal rules governing geostationary satellite
orbit FSS and FS could be modified to constructed and operational, but
Communications Commission currently unregistered or unlicensed,
(Commission) announce a temporary promote flexible use, stimulate
investment, and encourage more earth stations to file applications to be
freeze, effective April 19, 2018, on the licensed or registered for interference
filing of new or modification intensive deployment.
Temporary Freeze. To preserve the protection, subject to the outcome of the
applications for fixed-satellite service Commission’s ongoing inquiry and any
(FSS) earth station licenses, receive-only current landscape of authorized
operations in the 3.7–4.2 GHz band subsequent proceeding(s).
earth station registrations, and fixed
microwave licenses in the 3.7–4.2 GHz pending the Commission’s Temporary Waiver of Frequency
frequency band. As a limited exception consideration of the issues raised in Coordination Requirement. To obtain
to the freeze, the International Bureau response to the NOI, the Bureaus the best information possible on existing
concurrently opens a 90-day window announce a temporary freeze, effective earth stations in this band without
during which entities that own or as of April 19, 2018, on the filing of new imposing a potentially unnecessary
operate existing FSS earth stations in or modification applications for earth economic burden on eligible FSS earth
the 3.7–4.2 GHz band may file an station licenses, receive-only earth station applicants in the 3.7–4.2 GHz
application to register or license the station registrations, and fixed band filing within the 90-day window,
earth station if it is currently not microwave licenses in the 3.7–4.2 GHz the International Bureau hereby grants a
registered or licensed, or may file an band. temporary waiver of the frequency
application to modify a current Earth Stations. During the freeze the coordination requirement. Applicants
registration or license, in the International Bureau will dismiss who file within the 90-day window will
International Bureau Filing System applications, or those portions of otherwise be processed normally.
(IBFS). applications, received for new earth Registrations or licenses granted for
station licenses, new receive-only earth applications filed without the
DATES: Temporary freeze effective April station registrations, and modifications coordination report will include a
19, 2018; the 90-day filing window to earth stations currently authorized to condition noting that the license or
closes on July 18, 2018. operate in the 3.7–4.2 GHz band. The registration does not afford interference
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: freeze does not extend to applications protection from FS transmissions. Upon
nshattuck on DSK9F9SC42PROD with PROPOSALS
Christopher Bair, 202–418–0945 or Paul for renewal or cancellation of current announcing the termination of the
Blais, 202–418–7274. earth station authorizations, or freeze, the International Bureau may
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a modifications to correct location or modify or terminate the waiver by
summary of the Commission’s other data required in the earth station requiring or permitting registrants or
document, DA 18–398, released April file. licensees who filed applications within
19, 2018. The full text of this document Fixed Microwave. During the freeze, the 90-day window without a
is available at https://transition.fcc.gov/ the Wireless Telecommunications and coordination report to file such a report
Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2018/ Public Safety and Homeland Security as required by the Commission’s rules,
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 91 / Thursday, May 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules 21747
and to take any appropriate action in Federal Communications Commission. DATES: The meeting will take place on
light of such filing. Troy Tanner, Thursday, May 10, 2018, and is
Applicants for earth station licenses Deputy Chief, International Bureau. scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m..
and registrations must file on FCC Form [FR Doc. 2018–09943 Filed 5–9–18; 8:45 am] ADDRESSES: The location of the meeting
312 Main Form, complete Form 312 BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
is Room TW–C305, at 445 12th Street
Schedule B, remit the statutory SW, Washington, DC.
application-filing fee, and provide any Audio/Video coverage of the meeting
additional information required by FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS will be broadcast live with open
applicable rules. Applications must be COMMISSION captioning over the internet from the
filed electronically through IBFS at FCC Live web page at www.fcc.gov/live.
http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs. 47 CFR Chapter I For a fee this meeting can be viewed
live over George Mason University’s
This document does not contain Notification of Open Commission Capitol Connection. The Capitol
proposed information collection Meeting Connection also will carry the meeting
requirements subject to the Paperwork live via the internet. To purchase these
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104– AGENCY:Federal Communications services, call (703) 993–3100 or go to
13. In addition, therefore, it does not Commission. www.capitolconnection.gmu.edu.
contain any proposed information
ACTION: Notification of public meeting. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
collection burden for small business Additional information concerning this
concerns with fewer than 25 employees, meeting may be obtained from the
pursuant to the Small Business SUMMARY: The Federal Communications
Commission will hold an Open Meeting Office of Media Relations, (202) 418–
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public 0500; TTY 1–888–835–5322. Contact
Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4). on the subjects listed below in
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION on
Marlene Dortch, 202 418–0330 for
information about this document.
Thursday, May 10, 2018.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Item No. Bureau Subject
1 .............. Enforcement ................................................ Title: Enforcement Bureau Action.
Summary: The Commission will consider an enforcement action.
2 .............. Wireless Tele-Communications .................. Title: Amendment of Parts 1, 21, 73, 74 and 101 of the Commission’s Rules to Facili-
tate the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other
Advanced Services in the 2150–2162 and 2500–2690 MHz Bands; Transforming
the 2.5 GHz Band (WT Docket No. 18–120).
Summary: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would
allow more efficient and effective use of 2.5 GHz spectrum by seeking input on in-
creasing flexibility for existing Educational Broadband Service (EBS) licensees and
providing new opportunities for educational entities, rural Tribal Nations, and com-
mercial entities to access unused portions of the band.
3 .............. Media .......................................................... Title: Amendment of Part 74 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding FM Translator In-
terference (MB Docket No. 18–119).
Summary: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which pro-
poses to streamline the rules relating to interference caused by FM translators and
expedite the translator complaint resolution process.
4 .............. Media .......................................................... Title: Amendment of Parts 0, 1, 5, 73, and 74 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding
Posting of Station Licenses and Related Information (MB Docket No. 18–121); Mod-
ernization of Media Regulation Initiative (MB Docket No. 17–105).
Summary: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking
comment on whether to streamline or eliminate certain rules which require the phys-
ical posting and maintenance of broadcast licenses and related information in spe-
cific locations.
5 .............. Media .......................................................... Title: Hearing Designation Order.
Summary: The Commission will consider a Hearing Designation Order.
* * * * * disabilities are available upon request. Affairs Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice),
The meeting site is fully accessible to In your request, include a description of 202–418–0432 (TTY).
people using wheelchairs or other the accommodation you will need and Federal Communications Commission.
mobility aids. Sign language a way we can contact you if we need
Marlene Dortch,
interpreters, open captioning, and more information. Last minute requests
Secretary.
will be accepted, but may be impossible
nshattuck on DSK9F9SC42PROD with PROPOSALS
assistive listening devices will be
to fill. Send an email to: fcc504@fcc.gov [FR Doc. 2018–09973 Filed 5–9–18; 8:45 am]
provided on site. Other reasonable
accommodations for people with or call the Consumer & Governmental BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
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Document Created: 2018-11-02 09:47:23
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 09:47:23
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed rule. | |
| Dates | Temporary freeze effective April 19, 2018; the 90-day filing window closes on July 18, 2018. | |
| Contact | Christopher Bair, 202-418-0945 or Paul Blais, 202-418-7274. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 21746 |
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