PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 14-1797 December 9, 2014 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU’S BROADBAND DIVISION ANNOUNCES SECOND RENEWAL OF DATABASE MANAGERS FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE 71-76 GHZ, 81-86 GHZ AND 92-95 GHZ BANDS The Broadband Division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB or Bureau) announces renewal of the designation of Frequency Finder, Inc. (FFI), Micronet Communications, Inc. (Micronet) and Andrew LLC d/b/a Comsearch (Comsearch) as Database Managers (individually referred to as Database Manager or DM, and, collectively, Database Managers) tasked with continued development and management of databases of link registrations (collectively, a link registration system) by FCC licensees in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 92-95 GHz bands. 1 Each entity will serve for another five-year term. As a condition of this renewed designation, each DM has executed a second extension of its existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau’s Broadband Division, which sets forth the duties and the limits of authority of the DM. BACKGROUND On October 16, 2003, the Commission adopted a Report and Order establishing service rules to promote non-Federal development and use of the “millimeter wave” spectrum in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 92-95 GHz bands (70/80/90 GHz bands) 2 on a shared basis with Federal Government operations. 3 The Commission adopted a flexible and innovative regulatory framework for the 70/80/90 GHz bands that allowed for the issuance of an unlimited number of non-exclusive, nationwide licenses to non-Federal Government entities for the 12.9 GHz of spectrum allocated for commercial use. The Commission decided to appoint one or more third-party Database Managers to create and maintain a system for registration of individual point-to-point links for each license. The Database Managers are required to register links and maintain a record of the requested and approved links for each licensee and assist parties in cases of interference. The Commission delegated the DM selection process to the Bureau. 4 After soliciting proposals from interested parties, the Bureau’s Broadband Division designated 1 See 47 C.F.R. §§ 101.1501-1527. 2 Allocations and Service Rules for the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 92-95 GHz Bands, WT Docket No. 02-146, Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd 23318 (2003) (Report and Order); On Reconsideration in Part, 20 FCC Rcd 4889 (2005). See WTB’s web page for additional information about licensing and registration for the 70/80/90 GHz bands, http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=millimeter_wave. 3 In the context of spectrum management, “Federal Government” refers to use by the Federal Government and “non- Federal Government” refers to use by private entities and state and local governments. See id. Report and Order at 23319 n.3. FFI, Micronet and Comsearch as Database Managers for the 70/80/90 GHz bands and charged them with jointly developing and managing the link registration databases. 5 FFI, Micronet and Comsearch each executed a MOU memorializing their duties and responsibilities after which their designation became effective on December 9, 2004. The MOU provided that each Database Manager would serve a five-year term that could be renewed. In 2009 each DM executed a First MOU Renewal and the Broadband Division extended the original term for each DM for an additional five years through December 8, 2014. 6 By its action today, the Broadband Division extends the MOU term for each DM for an additional five years. The MOU remains the governing document, and is explicitly incorporated in and made part of the Second MOU Renewal. For further information, contact Sue Gilgenbach, Broadband Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 202-418-0639, TTY 202-418-7233 or via email to Sue.Gilgenbach@fcc.gov. By the Chief, Broadband Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. - FCC - 4 The Commission stated that the ultimate decision of the number of Database Managers and the selection of such Managers would be made by WTB, and noted that the Bureau would announce its Database Manager selection procedures by public notice. Id. at 23341 ¶ 51. 5 Allocations and Service Rules for the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, and 92-95 GHz Bands, WT Docket No. 02-146, Order, 19 FCC Rcd. 20524 (2004) (Order). 6 Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s Broadband Division Announces Renewal of Database Managers for Management of the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 92-95 GHz Bands, Public Notice, 24 FCC Rcd 14433 (WTB BD 2009).