*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 56973.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 DA 06- 1009 Released: May 10, 2006 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON CONSOLIDATED REQUEST BY THE WCS COALITION FOR WAIVER OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES (WCS) CONSTRUCTION RULE WT Docket No. 06- 102 Comment Date: June 9, 2006 Reply Comment Date: June 23, 2006 On March 22, 2006, the WCS Coalition 1 filed a request for waiver of the Commission’s Wireless Communications Services (WCS) construction rule. 2 The members of the WCS Coalition hold a total of 132 licenses in the 2.3 GHz band, all of which are scheduled to expire on July 21, 2007. Under Section 27.14 of the Commission’s rules, WCS licensees are required to make a showing of substantial service in their license area by the end of their license term. 3 The WCS Coalition requests an extension to July 21, 2010, assuming that by July 21, 2007, the Commission has released permanent rules governing the operation of Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) terrestrial repeaters in spectrum adjacent to the WCS allocation. 4 If, however, the technical rules governing DARS terrestrial repeaters are not resolved by July 21, 2007, the Coalition requests an extension of three years from the release date of an order establishing the technical rules. In support of its waiver request, the WCS Coalition argues that the lack of rules governing the operation of DARS terrestrial repeaters in spectrum adjacent to the WCS allocation has resulted in regulatory uncertainty regarding the degree to which WCS operations will be protected from potential interference associated with DARS transmissions. 5 The WCS Coalition argues further that this 1 The WCS Coalition is comprised of all but one of the licensees of Wireless Communications Services spectrum in the continental United States. Its members include: AT& T Inc., BellSouth Corporation, Comcast Corporation, NextWave Broadband Inc., NTELOS, Inc., Sprint Nextel Corporation, Verizon Laboratories Inc., and WaveTel NC License Corporation. 2 See WCS Coalition Consolidated Request for Limited Extension of Deadline for Establishing WCS Compliance with Section 27. 14 Substantial Service Requirement, filed March 22, 2006 (Waiver Request). 3 47 C. F. R. § 27.14. 4 See Waiver Request at 16. 5 Waiver Request at 9. 1 3 Copies of this public notice, and the waiver request noted herein, will be posted on the web at http:// gullfoss2. fcc. gov/ prod/ ecfs/ comsrch_ v2. cgi and will be available for public inspection and duplication during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY- A257, Washington, DC 20554. Copies of the comments and other filings in this docket also may be obtained from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. in person at 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY- B402, Washington, DC 20554, via telephone at (202) 488- 5300 or (800) 378- 3160, via facsimile at (202) 488- 5563, or via e- mail at fcc@ bcpiweb. com. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e- mail to fcc504@ fcc. gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202- 418- 0530 (voice), 202- 418- 0432 (tty). This proceeding is designated as a “permit- but- disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules. 9 Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain summaries of the substance of the presentations and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or two sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required. 10 Other rules pertaining to oral and written ex parte presentations in permit- but- disclose proceedings are set forth in Section 1.1206( b) of the Commission’s rules. 11 For further information, contact Guy Benson, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418- 2946, TTY (202) 418- 7233, or via email at Guy. Benson@ fcc. gov. By the Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. -FCC- 9 47 C. F. R. §§ 1. 1200( a), 1. 1206. 10 47 C. F. R. § 1.1206( b). 11 Id. 3