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 15-749
Released: June 25, 2015
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Reminds Licensees in the 3650-3700 MHz Band Wireless 
Broadband Service and 3550-3650 MHz Band Non-Federal Radiolocation Service of Requirements 
for Construction and Operation
GN Docket No. 12-354
On April 17, 2015, the Commission Adopted a Report and Order and Second Further Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (3.5 GHz Order) that established a new Citizens Broadband Radio Service in the
3550-3700 MHz band (3.5 GHz Band).
1
As noted in the 3.5 GHz Order, other non-federal services –
including wireless broadband services in the 3650-3700 MHz band and non-federal radiolocation services 
in the 3550-3650 MHz band – are currently licensed in the 3.5 GHz Band.
2
  This Public Notice is a 
reminder to licensees in these services of their rights and responsibilities regarding the operation of 
registered stations.
3650-3700 MHz Wireless Broadband Service.  In the 3.5 GHz Order, the Commission adopted
rules that will protect “grandfathered” 3650-3700 MHz band licensees from harmful interference from 
Citizens Broadband Radio Service users for a fixed transition period.
3
Specifically, “grandfathered”
licensees will be protected from harmful interference within a contour around base or fixed stations only 
if: (1) the stations were registered in the Commission’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) on or before 
April 17, 2015; and (2) as of a year later (April 17, 2016) the stations are constructed, in service, and fully 
compliant with the relevant operating rules.
4
  Consistent with the 3.5 GHz Order, the operative terms are 
defined as:
5
  
                                                     
1
See Amendment of the Commission's Rules with Regard to Commercial Operations in the 3550-3650 MHz Band, 
GN Docket No. 12-354, Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 30 FCC Rcd 3959 
(2015) (3.5 GHz Order).
2
Id. at 3965-66, ¶¶ 17, 19.
3
Id. at 4071-80, ¶¶ 387-412.
4
47 C.F.R. § 90.1338.  WTB will release a public notice seeking comment on an appropriate method for 
determining the protected contours for grandfathered 3650-3700 MHZ band licensees. See 3.5 GHz Order, 30 FCC 
Rcd at 4077, ¶ 404.
5
3.5 GHz Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 4077, ¶ 403.
2Registered – fixed and base stations that have been properly registered with ULS.
Constructed – all infrastructure is in place and operational, including siting, FCC-certified radio 
equipment, backhaul, power, etc.
In service – network provides ongoing service to unaffiliated, paying subscribers (e.g., 
broadband service from a Wireless Internet Service Provider) or for bona fide private uses (e.g., 
utility networks, network backhaul).
Compliance – in compliance with all applicable FCC rules (or operating pursuant to a waiver of 
those rules).
As noted in the 3.5 GHz Order, the Commission intends “to distinguish between ‘real’ networks 
that have received substantial investment and provide socially productive service from ‘paper networks’ 
whose only effect is to restrict spectrum accessible by the Citizens Broadband Radio Service.”
6
  As such, 
to determine whether those stations that have been registered in ULS on or before April 17, 2015 qualify 
for protection, the Commission may require licensees to provide evidence showing that the conditions 
have been met.
Non-Federal Radiolocation Service.  In the 3.5 GHz Order, the Commission removed the 
allocation for the non-federal radiolocation services in the 3550-3650 MHz band.
7
  However, licensees 
operating pursuant to licenses granted before the effective date of the rules would be allowed to continue 
using the service on a secondary basis through the end of their equipment’s useful life.
8
  Licensees are 
reminded that their operations must not interfere with any other authorized operations in the band, 
including Citizens Broadband Radio Service users, and that they must accept interference from all 
primary services, including Citizens Broadband Radio Service users.
For additional information, please contact Paul Powell, Attorney Advisor, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, Mobility Division at paul.powell@fcc.gov or (202) 418-1613.
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 & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).  
                                                     
6
Id. at 4077, ¶¶ 402.
7
Id. at 3974, ¶ 40.
8
See 47 C.F.R. § 2.106, note US105.