PUBLIC NOTICE 1 Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, DC 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 14-1314 September 10, 2014 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU INFORMS POTENTIAL AUCTION 97 APPLICANTS OF UPDATED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WORKBOOK POSTED TO NTIA’S WEBSITE GN Docket No. 13-185 AU Docket No. 14-78 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has posted a revision of the Department of Defense (DoD) 1755-1780 MHz Workbook and accompanying Workbook Information File on its Transition Plan and Transition Data webpage. Both files are available at: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2014/transition-plans-and-transition-data-1755-1780- mhz-band. As explained in the AWS-3 Report and Order and subsequent AWS-3 Coordination Procedures PN, commercial use of portions of the AWS-3 band, which may vary by geography and frequency, will be subject to successful coordination with incumbent Federal users on a temporary or indefinite basis. 1 The AWS-3 Coordination Procedures PN specifically referenced a DoD “workbook” providing greater detail on protection (coordination) zones to avoid harmful interference to DoD incumbents. 2 The Auction 97 Procedures Public Notice, furthermore, stated: “[W]e strongly encourage each applicant to closely review these materials, as well as future releases from the Commission and the NTIA concerning these issues, and to carefully consider the technical and economic implications for commercial use of the AWS-3 bands.” 3 On August 1, 2014, NTIA posted an initial version of the DoD Workbook to its Transition Plan and Transition Data webpage, but noted that the files were being updated to improve accuracy and advised potential applicants that the contents may change in a future release prior to the 1 See Amendment of the Commission’s Rules with Regard to Commercial Operations in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755- 1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz Bands, GN Docket No. 13-185, Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd 4610 (2014) (recon. pending); The Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration: Coordination Procedures in the 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz Bands, Public Notice, GN Docket No. 13-185, 29 FCC Rcd 8527 (WTB 2014) (Coordination Procedures PN). 2 See Coordination Procedures PN, 29 FCC Rcd at 8544, Appendix B-1. See also id. at 8535-35. 3 Auction of Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-3) Licenses Scheduled for November 13, 2014; Notice and Filing Requirements, Reserve Prices, Minimum Opening Bids, Upfront Payments, and Other Procedures for Auction 97; AU Docket No. 14-78, Public Notice, 29 FCC Rcd 8386 (WTB 2014) (Auction 97 Procedures Public Notice). 2auction. On September 10, 2014, NTIA posted a revised version of the Workbook to the webpage. The new version of the DoD Workbook contains significant refinements that will affect AWS-3 licensee’s post-auction coordination obligations, which in many cases supersede information provided in the previous version of the Workbook. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau strongly encourages potential Auction 97 applicants to examine the revised Workbook. Additionally, potential applicants should carefully review the accompanying Workbook Information File, which contains details to help further explain how to understand and utilize the Workbook data. As stated in the Auction 97 Procedures Public Notice, an applicant should perform its due diligence research and analysis before proceeding, as it would with any new business venture. In particular, the Bureau strongly encourages each potential bidder to review all Commission orders and public notices establishing rules and policies for the AWS-3 bands, including incumbency issues for AWS-3 licensees, Federal and non-Federal relocation and sharing and cost sharing obligations, and protection of Federal and non-Federal incumbent operations. 4 - FCC - 4 See Auction 97 Procedures Public Notice, 29 FCC Rcd at 8403-04.