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 16-978 Released: August 26, 2016 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU EXTENDS 800 MHZ APPLICATION FREEZE ALONG BORDER WITH MEXICO WT Docket No. 02-55 By this Public Notice, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) extends the freeze on the acceptance of new 800 MHz applications along the U.S.-Mexico border until February 1, 2017. This extension is needed to preserve vacant channels for licensees re-tuning their systems according to the Bureau’s updated band plan for licensees operating along the border with Mexico.1 As of this date, many Mexico border region licensees have yet to complete their system re-tunes. Accordingly, to preserve currently vacant channels for use by these licensees and avoid potential licensing conflicts, we extend the freeze on the acceptance of non-rebanding applications for 800 MHz licenses operating in the NPSPAC Regions listed in the attached Appendix. This freeze also applies to those stations located within seventy miles of the borders of these NPSPAC Regions. The freeze applies only to applications for new facilities or modification applications that involve a change of frequency or expand a station's existing coverage area. Applications that do not affect frequency or coverage (e.g., administrative updates, assignments/transfers, and renewal-only applications) are not subject to the freeze. Licensees on pre-rebanding channels proposing to expand coverage or add a new channel during the freeze may seek Special Temporary Authorization (STA) based upon an appropriate showing of public interest need as described in the Bureau's December 2006 guidance.2 Licensees on post-rebanding channels proposing to expand coverage or add a new channel during the freeze may apply for permanent authorization provided they include a request for waiver of the freeze with their application. In either case, licensees must include a concurrence letter from the 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) with their application. Licensees may request a concurrence letter from the TA by emailing an electronic copy of their draft application to the TA at: AppReview@800TA.org. 1 See Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band, New 800 MHz Band Plan for U.S. – Mexico Sharing Zone, Fifth Report and Order, 23 FCC Rcd 4085 (PSHSB 2013) (Fifth R&O). 2 See Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Provides Guidance for Public Safety Licensees With Regard to License Application and Special Temporary Authorization Procedures and Payment of Frequency Relocation Costs for Public Safety Facilities Added During 800 MHz Band Reconfiguration, Public Notice, 21 FCC Rcd 14658 (PSHSB 2006). 2For further information, contact: Brian Marenco, Policy Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-0838 or Brian.Marenco@fcc.gov. Action by the Deputy Chief, Policy Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. – FCC – 3Appendix NPSPAC Regions Bordering Mexico NPSPAC Region Description of Region3 3 Arizona 5 Southern California 29 New Mexico 50 West and Central Texas (Midland Area) 53 Southern Texas (San Antonio Area) 3 Regions that are only a portion of a state or states are defined by counties. A list of the counties in each of these regions can be accessed at http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Orders/1998/fcc98191.txt.