PUBLIC NOTICE rev. 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 17-1136 November 30, 2017 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES EFFECTIVE DATE OF REVISED 800 MHZ CELLULAR SERVICE RULES THAT REQUIRED OMB APPROVAL WT Docket Nos. 12-40 and 10-112 On March 24, 2017, the Commission released its Second Report and Order in the 800 MHz Cellular Service (Cellular) reform proceeding, 1 and while some of the adopted rules took effect in May, the approval of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) was required under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) before the remainder of the adopted rules (PRA Rules) could take effect. 2 The Commission has received the OMB approvals and, as of December 1, 2017 (Effective Date), Cellular licensees can reap the numerous benefits of these PRA Rules, with resulting benefits for the public. 3 Most notably as of the Effective Date, licensees may test and deploy Cellular facilities using a power spectral density (PSD) model, giving them substantially enhanced flexibility and efficiency in their system designs to offer consumers more advanced wireless services. 4 Also as of the Effective Date, Cellular licensees no longer need to file a notification for an individual cell site’s permanent discontinuance, nor a minor modification application for coverage reduction in the licensee’s Cellular Geographic Service Area (CGSA). Here too, the rule revisions provide Cellular licensees with increased flexibility to improve their existing systems. 5 1 Amendment of Parts 1 and 22 of the Commission’s Rules with Regard to the Cellular Service, Including Changes in Licensing of Unserved Area (other captions omitted), Second Report and Order, Report and Order, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, WT Docket Nos. 12-40 and 10-112, RM Nos. 11510 and 11660, 32 FCC Rcd 2518 (2017) (Second R&O). 2 On April 12, 2017, the Commission published notice in the Federal Register summarizing the final rules adopted in the Second R&O, see 82 Fed. Reg. 17570 (Apr. 12, 2017), pursuant to which the rules took effect May 12, 2017, except the PRA Rules—47 CFR §§ 22.317, 22.911(a)-(c), 22.913(a), (c), (f), 22.947, and 22.953(c). 3 The Commission published notice of OMB’s approvals and the Effective Date in the Federal Register on November 24, 2017, explaining also that OMB approved corresponding revisions to FCC Form 601, FCC Application for Radio Service Authorization. 82 Fed. Reg. 55766 (Nov. 24, 2017). The vast majority of Cellular filings are made electronically in the Commission’s Universal Licensing System, rather than on paper; revised Form 601, including revised Schedule F, will therefore serve primarily as a reference when preparing electronic filings. 4 See Second R&O, 32 FCC Rcd at 2535-43 (paras. 38-64). 5 See id., 32 FCC Rcd at 2557-61, paras. 107-120. Cellular filings submitted on or after the Effective Date to notify the Commission of permanent discontinuance of operations at an individual cell site or a reduction in coverage within the CGSA (see 47 CFR §§ 22.317, 22.947, and 22.953(c)) will be dismissed as unnecessary. 2As described in detail in the Second R&O, AT&T and Verizon have voluntarily committed to various measures to address possible interference to public safety systems from their Cellular PSD operations, including, among other measures, testing of PSD facilities in cooperation with local public safety agencies in a phased roll-out in selected markets. 6 They may now commence such testing. For all licensees opting to test or deploy Cellular PSD facilities, we encourage, as did the Commission, “any and all cooperation aimed at avoiding interference to public safety communications.” 7 For further information, please contact the following Wireless Telecommunications Bureau staff: Nina Shafran (legal), nina.shafran@fcc.gov, (202) 418-2781, or Keith Harper (engineering), keith.harper@fcc.gov, (202) 418-2759. Action by the Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. - FCC - 6 See Second R&O, 32 FCC Rcd at 2529-30, para. 25. See also id. at 2537-38, n.181, paras. 48-49. 7 Second R&O, 32 FCC Rcd at 2538, para. 49.