PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 07-3644 August 16, 2007 NEW PUBLIC SAFETY NARROWBAND OPERATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE 700 MHZ CONSOLIDATED NARROWBAND BLOCKS PROHIBITED AS OF AUGUST 30, 2007 PS Docket No. 06-229; WT Docket No. 96-86 On July 31, 2007, the Commission adopted a Second Report and Order revising the rules governing wireless licenses in the 700 MHz band.1 In particular, the Commission adopted a regulatory framework for the 700 MHz public safety band to facilitate the establishment of a nationwide, interoperable broadband communications network for the benefit of state and local public safety users. In this regard, the Commission designated the lower half of the 700 MHz public safety band for broadband communications (763-768/793-798 MHz) and consolidated existing narrowband allocations in the upper half of the public safety 700 MHz band (769-775/799-805 MHz). To effectuate the narrowband consolidation, the Commission determined that the Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee will pay the costs of relocating narrowband radios to the new consolidated segment.2 Further, to clearly define reimbursement costs, the Commission prohibited authorization, whether pursuant to individual license or State License, of any new narrowband operations in the 764-767/794-797 MHz and 775-776/805-806 MHz bands as of 30 days following the adoption of the Second Report and Order.3 By this Public Notice, we remind the public safety community that no new narrowband operations will be permitted as of August 30, 2007 in 764-767/794-797 MHz and 775-776/805-806 MHz bands. Furthermore, public safety licensees will be required to certify the number of narrowband mobile and portable handsets and base stations serving these handsets that are in operation as of August 30, 2007.4 Only those narrowband radios certified as being in operation as of August 30, 2007 will be entitled to reimbursement for the costs of relocation to the consolidated narrowband blocks (769-775/799- 805 MHz). Public safety entities are advised that narrowband equipment may be placed into operation on or after August 30, 2007 but only in the consolidated narrowband blocks. 1 Implementing a Nationwide, Broadband, Interoperable Public Safety Network in the 700 MHz Band; Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal, State and Local Public Safety Communications Requirements Through the Year 2010, PS Docket No. 06-229, WT Docket No. 96-86, Second Report and Order, FCC 07-132 (rel. Aug. 10, 2007) (Second Report and Order). 2 The Commission set a cap of $10 million for the amount that the Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee would have to pay to cover these relocation costs. Id. ¶ 341. 3 Id. ¶ 339. 4 These certifications will be due on the effective date of the Second Report and Order. The Commission will announce by a future Public Notice the due date of these certifications. 2 Questions regarding this Public Notice may be directed to Carol Simpson, Policy Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, (202) 418-2391. -FCC-