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 13-145 February 5, 2013 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES EFFECTIVE DATE OF REQUIREMENT FOR 7 AND 13 GHZ TV PICKUP LICENSEES TO REGISTER STATIONARY RECEIVE SITES, PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON COMPLYING WITH REQUIREMENT The Broadband Division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) announces that beginning April 1, 2013, all licensees of TV Pickup stations in the 6875-7125 MHz (7 GHz) and 12700- 13200 MHz (13 GHz) bands must register their stationary receive sites using the Commission’s Universal Licensing System. To help bring existing TV Pickup station licensees in the 7 GHz and 13 GHz bands into compliance with this requirement by April 1, 2013, this Public Notice provides detailed guidance on how to file the required registration through the Commission’s Universal Licensing System. Background Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) TV Pickup stations, licensed under Part 74 of the Commission’s rules, make it possible for television and radio stations and networks to transmit program material from the sites of breaking news stories or other live events to television studios for inclusion in broadcast programs, to transmit programming material from studios to broadcasting transmitters for delivery to consumers’ televisions and radios, and to transmit programs between broadcast stations.1 Cable Television Relay Service (CARS) TV Pickup stations, licensed under Part 78 of the Commission’s rules, are used to transmit television signals and related communications from remote locations to cable television studios or headends.2 In this Public Notice we address requirements for BAS TV Pickup stations only.3 On August 9, 2011, the Commission allowed the Fixed Service (FS) to share the 6875-7125 MHz and 12700-13150 MHz bands currently used by BAS and CARS.4 The Commission also adopted Section 74.605 of the Commission’s Rules, which requires that licensees of TV Pickup stations in the 7 GHz and 13 GHz bands register their stationary receive sites using the Commission’s Universal Licensing System.5 1 See 47 C.F.R. § 74.601(a). 2 See 47 C.F.R. § 78.5(d). 3 Registration of receive sites for CARS TV Pickup stations are not addressed in this Public Notice. We note that CARS TV Pickup stations are licensed in the Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS), which already requires the licensees to identify receive sites, so the requirements for CARS stations have not changed. 4 Amendment of Part 101 of the Commission’s Rules to Facilitate the Use of Microwave for Wireless Backhaul and Other Uses and to Provide Additional Flexibility to Broadcast Auxiliary Service and Operational Fixed Microwave Licensees, et al., WT Docket No. 10-153, et al., Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Memorandum Opinion and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 11614, 11623-11630 ¶¶ 16-34 (2011) (“Wireless Backhaul R&O”). 5 See id. at 11666. 2Registering the receive sites will allow analysis to determine whether FS links will cause interference to TV Pickup stations. Because Section 74.605 contained new information collection requirements, it could not become effective until the information collection requirements were approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).6 OMB has now approved that information collection under the PRA.7 Because the Commission wanted to give TV Pickup licensees an opportunity to come into compliance with the registration requirement, it did not make the requirement effective immediately. On January 30, 2013, the Commission announced that Section 74.605 of the Commission’s Rules would become effective on April 1, 2013.8 On April 1, 2013, all existing TV Pickup stations in the 7 and 13 GHz bands will be required to register their stationary receive sites. Filing Instructions In order to register their receive-only sites on ULS, TV pickup licensees must file an application on FCC Form 601(Main Form and Schedule I) to modify their authorization. A separate modification application is necessary for each TV Pickup license. Please follow the instructions below for filing a modification application:9 1. Access electronic filing (http://wireless.fcc.gov). Under the “Licensing” header on the right side of the screen, choose “Online Filing”. 2. Login with your FRN and password. If you do not have your password or have forgotten it, and have set a Personal Security Question (PSQ), go to web site: https://esupport.fcc.gov/password.htm and select “reset password”. Enter your FRN and answer the PSQ allowing you to reset your password. If you have NOT set the PSQ, go to website http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm and submit a reset password form or call (877) 480-3210 for assistance. 3. Choose the “My Licenses” link on the left side navigation menu of the screen. 4. “My Licenses” page – choose the call sign to be updated for the TV Pickup Radio Service (TP). 5. “My Licenses”, “License At A Glance” page – choose “Update” from “Work on this license”. 6. “Select Updates” page – check “Technical Data” to add receiver information. Click on “Continue” to load the online application Form 601. Once the application form loads, enter required data selecting “Next Page” to advance. 7. “Location Tab” – select “Add”. “Location Description” – select “Receiver” By selecting receiver, additional data fields are opened. You must complete the following: 6 See id. at 11664 ¶ 124. 7 OMB Control Number 3060-1165. 8 See Facilitating the Use of Microwave for Wireless Backhaul and Other Uses and Providing Additional Flexibility To Broadcast Auxiliary Service and Operational Fixed Microwave Licensees, 78 FR 6217 (Jan. 30, 2013). 9 A copy of these instructions is also available online at http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=filing_1&id=broadcast_auxiliary. 3o Location Name o ASR Number or N/A o Latitude/Longitude o Street Address o City o State o County o Elevation of site AMSL o Overall height AGL without appurtenances o Overall height AGL with appurtenances o Support structure type o Environmental assessment question 8. Once this data is entered, click the “Save” button, select “Next Page” 9. “Path Tab” – select Path 1, click on “Modify”. The following data must be completed for the Transmit Antenna: o Antenna Manufacturer o Antenna Model Number o Height to center of antenna AGL (prefills with 6.1 meters)* o Beamwidth o Antenna Gain o Polarization o Azimuth to RX location or passive repeater. (prefills with 999.0 degrees)* *These values are pre-filled due to the mobile operating area of the transmitter and should not be changed. Final Receiver Location - You must select the Receive location at the bottom of the page and complete the following: o Receiver Antenna Manufacturer o Receiver Model number 4o Height to center of RX antenna AGL o Receiver antenna beamwidth o Receiver antenna gain. Once all data is entered, select “Save” 10. For each additional receiver location you must add the location and Add or Modify Path and Frequency data. As data is entered on each page, remember to click the “Save” button. 11. When you are done entering information on the application, click the “Submit” button. 12. “ULS Online Filing Application Confirmation” page – allows you to print your application and verify fee amounts. For future status checks of the application, please note your application file number shown on this page. This file number can be used to view the application using the “Application Search” function in ULS. If a fee is due, select the “CONTINUE FOR PAYMENT OPTIONS” button at the bottom of this page. 13. “CONTINUE FOR PAYMENT OPTIONS” – will allow you to make your payment online or print FCC Form 159. Temporary Fee Exemption Normally, an application to modify an existing TV pickup authorization requires payment of a $150.00 application fee.10 Under the Commission’s rules, however, applicants need not pay an application fee if they are filing a modification application for the sole purpose of complying with new or additional requirements of the Commission’s rules.11 Accordingly, between now and April 1, 2013, we will grant a fee exemption to TV Pickup licensees in the 7 and 13 GHz bands who are modifying their licenses for the sole purpose of adding their receive sites. If a TV Pickup licensee files an application requesting additional modifications or actions other than registering a stationary receive site, the licensee must pay the application fee.12 To take advantage of this fee exemption, the applicant must answer “Y” (yes) to the questions “Is the Applicant exempt from FCC application fees?” and “Is the Applicant exempt from FCC regulatory fees?” (Items 9 and 10 of FCC 601 main form), and must attach the following exhibit to their application using the attachment type of “other” and an attachment description of “RX Site Registration Exemption”: [Name of licensee] requests a fee exemption pursuant to Section 1.1116(a) of the Commission’s Rules. This application is being filed for the sole purpose of registering a stationary receive site in the 7 or 13 GHz band. This application is being filed in order to come into compliance with the new Section 74.605 of the Commission’s Rules, which will become effective on April 1, 2013. After April 1, 2013, any licensee filing a modification to register a stationary receive site must pay the $150.00 filing fee. 10 See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1102. 11 47 C.F.R. § 1.1116(a). 12 Id. 5Processing of Applications Modification applications registering TV Pickup receive sites will be reviewed by staff of the Broadband Division. If additional information is necessary to process the application, the licensee will be informed either through a return of the application or through informal contact. Contact Information For assistance in filing, contact FCC Support at Phone: (877) 480-3201, TTY: (717) 338-2824 Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET (except Federal holidays) or by submitting an e-support request at https://esupport.fcc.gov/onlinerequest.htm . For other inquiries, please contact Cheryl Black at (717) 338-2617 or by e-mail: Cheryl.Black@fcc.gov or Stephen Buenzow at (717) 338-2647 or by e-mail: Stephen.Buenzow@fcc.gov or John Schauble at (202) 418-0797 or by e-mail: John.Schauble@fcc.gov. By the Chief, Broadband Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau -FCC- For more news and information about the Federal Communications Commission please visit: www.fcc.gov