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 09-5 Released: January 5, 2009 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON PETITION FOR RULEMAKING TO TRANSITION PART 22 CELLULAR SERVICES TO GEOGRAPHIC MARKET-AREA LICENSING RM No. 11510 Comments Due: [30 days after publication in the Federal Register] Reply Comments Due: [45 days after publication in the Federal Register] Pursuant to Section 1.403 of the Commission’s rules,1 the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau seeks comment on a Petition for Rulemaking (“Petition”) filed by CTIA – The Wireless Association (“CTIA”) on October 8, 2008, seeking to transition Part 22 cellular licensing to a geographic market area-based license system.2 CTIA argues that such a transition will achieve a number of public interest benefits, including: (1) encouraging the transition from analog to digital technologies; (2) reducing recordkeeping burdens (for licensees and the Commission); (3) creating regulatory parity with other Commercial Mobile Radiotelephone Service providers; (4) providing a licensing framework that more accurately reflects the areas actually served by cellular service providers; and (5) protecting “incumbent” cellular licensees from interference from potential new entrants. To effectuate this transition, CTIA proposes that the Commission re-issue all cellular licenses to “incumbents” on a Cellular Market Area (“CMA”) basis in place of their existing Cellular Geographic Service Area licenses, subject to two carve outs. First, cellular licensees in a CMA providing service using unserved area licenses would consult with the CMA license holder “to determine each license’s service area boundaries following the transition to digital service.” Second “incumbent” cellular licensees providing service beyond the boundaries of their CMAs “would consult with the CMA licensee of the affected market to establish service area boundaries” and the “incumbent’s” license would be modified to reflect these boundaries. In either instance, if the parties cannot reach agreement, CTIA proposes that the matter be referred to the Commission for adjudication. Interested parties may file comments on or before [30 days after publication in the Federal Register], and reply comments on or before [45 days after publication in the Federal Register]. All filings should refer to RM No. 11510. Comments may be filed using: (1) the Commission’s Electronic Comment 1 47 C.F.R. § 1.403. 2 Cellular markets initially licensed more than five years ago are subject to the Commission’s Unserved Area licensing rules, which require prior approval for new cellular systems, and expansions of existing systems, on a cell site-by-cell site basis. See 47 C.F.R. §§ 22.949, 22.953. 2 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). § Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments. § For ECFS filers, if multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, filers must transmit one electronic copy of the comments for each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions, filers should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and include the following words in the body of the message, “get form.” A sample form and directions will be sent in response. § Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first- class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. § The Commission’s contractor will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. § Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. § U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington D.C. 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Parties should also send a copy of their filings to Joyce Jones, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Room 6407, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, or by e-mail to joyce.jones@fcc.gov. Parties must also serve one copy with the Commission’s copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI), Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, (202) 488-5300, or via e-mail to fcc@bcpiweb.com. Documents in RM No. 11510 are available for public inspection and copying during business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. The documents may also be purchased from BCPI, telephone (202) 488-5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, TTY (202) 488-5562, e-mail fcc@bcpiweb.com. People with Disabilities: To request 3 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). For further information regarding this proceeding, contact Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Joyce Jones at joyce.jones@fcc.gov or 202-418-1327. By the Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. - FCC -