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 11-1968 Released: December 5, 2011 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON A REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF THE JANUARY 1, 2013 VHF-UHF NARROWBANDING DEADLINE FILED BY UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WT Docket 99-87 Comment Date: December 19, 2011 Reply Comment Date: December 27, 2011 The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau seeks comment on the request of University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics (UIHC) for a waiver until January 1, 2014, of the Commission’s January 1, 2013 VHF-UHF narrowbanding deadline, codified at 47 C.F.R § 90.209(b), which requires private land mobile radio licensees in the 150-174 MHz and 450-512 MHz bands to operate using channel bandwidth of no more than 12.5 kHz or equivalent efficiency by January 1, 2013.1 UIHC handles 25,000 pages a day on a paging system consisting of Station WXR228 operating on 152.0075 MHz and Station WPNR291 operating on 453.025 MHz.2 As 152.0075 MHz is exempt from the narrowband mandate, UIHC seeks a waiver for Station WPNR291, which serves 6000 pagers.3. While its base stations are narrowband-capable, UIHC must replace its pager fleet, which is not capable of being retuned.4 UIHC is in the process of deploying a new system that will allow staff to use cell phones, smart phones and tablets as an alternative to pagers, but this system may not be fully installed by January 2013.5 On July 13, 2011, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, and the Office and Engineering and Technology released a Public Notice providing, 1 See Letter, dated October 24, 2011 from Lisa K Searls, Assistant Director, Health Care Information Systems, Technical Operations Division, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (Waiver Request). See also Implementation of Sections 309(j) and 337 of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended; Promotion of Spectrum Efficient Technologies on Certain Part 90 Frequencies, Third Memorandum Opinion and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order, WT Docket No. 99-87, RM-9332, 19 FCC Rcd 25045 (2004). See also 47 C.F.R. §§ 90.209(b)(5)-(6). 2 Waiver Request at 1-2. 3 Id. at 1. 4 Id. at 2. 5 Id. 2 inter alia, guidance on the submission of requests for waiver of the narrowband deadline.6 We seek comments evaluating the waiver request in light of that guidance. In particular, we seek comment from parties whose UHF/VHF operations could be impacted by grant of the waiver. Interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates listed on the first page of this Public Notice. All pleadings are to reference WT Docket No. 99-87. Parties may file comments using: (1) the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government’s eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies.7 § Electronic Filers: File comments 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. § If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, ECFS 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. Send filings 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). Address filings to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. § Devliver hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554 between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Use rubber bands or fasteners to hold deliveries together. Dispose of all envelopes before entering the building. § Send commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. § Send U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554. People with Disabilities: 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 and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (tty). 6 See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, and Office of Engineering and Technology Provide Reminders of the January 1, 2013 Deadline for Transition to Narrowband Operations in the 150-174 MHz and 421-512 MHz Bands and Guidance for Submission of Requests for Wavier and Other Matters, Public Notice, 26 FCC Rcd 9647 (2011). 7 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, GC Docket No. 97-113, Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 11322 (1998). 3 Address all filings to the Commission’s Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. Parties should also send a copy of their filings to Roberto Mussenden, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Room 7-B553, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554, or by e-mail to narrowbanding@fcc.gov. Parties shall also serve one copy with the Commission’s copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI), Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, (202) 488-5300, or via e-mail to fcc@bcpiweb.com. Documents in WT Docket No. 99-87 are available for public inspection and copying during business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th St. SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. The documents are available for purchase from BCPI, telephone (202) 488- 5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, TTY (202) 488-5562, e-mail fcc@bcpiweb.com. These documents are also available for viewing on the Commission’s website at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs. Because of the policy implications and potential impact of this proceeding on persons not party to these Applications, it is in the public interest to treat this case as a permit-but-disclose proceeding under the ex parte rules. See Sections 1.1200(a) and 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200(a) and 1.1206. Therefore, subsequent to the release of this Public Notice, we will allow ex parte presentations that address issues involved in the subject waiver request will be allowed, provided they are disclosed in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.1206(b) of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b). For further information, contact Mr. Roberto Mussenden of the Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at (202) 418-1428 (voice), (202) 418-7233 (tty), or via e- mail at Roberto.Mussenden@fcc.gov. By the Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. - FCC -