Federal Communications Commission
Washington DC, 20554
April 24, 2018
DA 18-414
Small Entity Compliance Guide
Amendment of Parts 1 and 22 of the Commission’s Rules with Regard to the Cellular Service,
Including Changes in Licensing of Unserved Area, et al.
FCC 17-27 
WT Docket Nos. 12-40, 10-112 and 16-138
RM Nos. 11510 and 11660
Released March 24, 2017
This Guide is prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 212 of the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.  It is intended to help small 
entities—small businesses, small organizations (non-profits), and small governmental 
jurisdictions—comply with the revised rules adopted in the above-referenced Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) rulemaking docket(s).  This Guide is 
not intended to replace or supersede these rules, but to facilitate compliance with the rules.  
Although we have attempted to cover all parts of the rules that might be especially important 
to small entities, the coverage may not be exhaustive.  This Guide cannot anticipate all 
situations in which the rules apply.  Furthermore, the Commission retains the discretion to 
adopt case-by-case approaches, where appropriate, that may differ from this Guide.  Any 
decision regarding a particular small entity will be based on the statute and any relevant 
rules. 
In any civil or administrative action against a small entity for a violation of rules, the content 
of the Small Entity Compliance Guide may be considered as evidence of the reasonableness 
or appropriateness of proposed fines, penalties or damages.  Interested parties are free to 
file comments regarding this Guide and the appropriateness of its application to a particular 
situation.  The FCC will then consider whether the recommendations or interpretations in 
the Guide are appropriate in that situation.  The FCC may decide to revise this Guide 
without public notice to reflect changes in the FCC’s approach to implementing a rule, or it 
may clarify or update the text of the Guide.  Direct your comments and recommendations, 
or calls for further assistance, to the FCC’s Consumer Center:
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) 
TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)
Videophone: 1-844-4-FCC-ASL (1-844-432-2275) 
Fax: 1-866--418-0232
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROCEEDING ................................................................................................1
II. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................................1
A. Revised Power and Power Measurement Rules (47 CFR § 22.913; 47 CFR § 22.99).....................2
B. Interference Resolution Process (47 CFR §§ 22.970-22.973); Public Forum to Facilitate 
Multi-stakeholder Co-existence ........................................................................................................5
C. Revised Methodology to Calculate SABs and CGSAs; Deletion of Outdated References 
(47 CFR § 22.911) ............................................................................................................................6
D. Permanent Discontinuance of Operations (47 CFR § 22.947) .........................................................7
E. Filings for Certain Minor Modifications (47 CFR § 22.953(c)) .......................................................8
F. Deletion of Cellular Service Comparative Renewal Rules (47 CFR §§ 22.935, 22.936, 
22.939, 22.940, and 22.943) .............................................................................................................9
G. Other Technical Rules Updated or Deleted (47 CFR §§ 22.169, 22.955, 22.957; 22.907; 
and 22.917) .......................................................................................................................................9
III. RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.............................................................10
IV. IMPLEMENTATION DATE................................................................................................................11
V. INTERNET LINKS...............................................................................................................................12
1I. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROCEEDING
In the Second Report and Order in WT Docket No. 12-40 and the companion Report and Order in 
WT Docket No.10-112, released as a single document on March 24, 2017 (Second R&O), the Commission 
adopted revised rules and also eliminated certain rules applicable to the 800 MHz Cellular Service.  The 
Commission most notably revised the outdated Cellular power rules that were adopted when commercial 
mobile service was provided using narrowband technologies.  The Commission took into account the 
availability of advanced mobile broadband technologies such as long term evolution (LTE) by adopting 
power rules based on power spectral density (PSD) metrics that parallel those that apply in other spectrum 
bands used to provide mobile broadband service.  Because the Cellular Service shares the 800 MHz 
spectrum with public safety licensees, in revising the Cellular power rules the Commission took steps to 
address the potential for increased unacceptable interference to public safety and other adjacent-band 
systems.  The adopted reforms also include updates to other technical rules, and modernization of licensing 
rules to eliminate certain filing requirements and the Part 22 comparative hearing license renewal rules that 
had applied to the Cellular Service.     
The Commission’s actions reduce barriers to innovation and investment in new technologies, 
reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on licensees, promote greater spectrum efficiency, and facilitate the 
deployment of ubiquitous broadband connectivity demanded by consumers in the 800 MHz Cellular 
spectrum.  In particular, the conversion of this band to a more flexible regime by revising certain technical 
and service rules will facilitate the use of Cellular spectrum to provide advanced mobile broadband services 
such as LTE, and will eliminate unnecessary rules and burdens for Cellular licensees.  With the continued 
skyrocketing demand for mobile broadband, it is imperative that providers be able to use Cellular spectrum 
in addition to the Broadband Personal Communications Service (PCS), Advanced Wireless Services 
(AWS), and 700 MHz spectrum bands that are already largely used today to provide LTE and other 
advanced mobile broadband services.
All of the rule changes adopted in the Second R&O provide Cellular licensees with enhanced 
flexibility to improve their service to consumers.  They also advance the Commission’s goals of 
harmonizing the rules across competing commercial wireless services where practicable, and enabling more 
efficient use of licensee and Commission resources.  
II. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS 
In the Second R&O, the Commission took the following key actions:  (1) revised the provisions 
governing Cellular base station Effective Radiated Power (ERP) limits and related power measurement 
provisions in Section 22.913 (and added a definition of “PSD” to Section 22.99); (2) retained the existing 
interference resolution process set forth in Sections 22.970-22.973 and directed Commission staff to 
convene a public forum to discuss co-existence in the 800 MHz band; (3) revised the rule setting forth the 
methods of determining a Cellular licensee’s service area boundary (SAB) and Cellular Geographic Service 
Area (CGSA) boundary under Section 22.911 to accommodate PSD systems; (4) exempted Cellular 
licensees from the existing site-based rule concerning permanent discontinuance of service (Section 
22.317), and adopted in its place a more flexible, geographic-based rule for Cellular licensees (Section 
22.947); (5) eliminated the requirement under Section 22.953(c) to file certain minor modification 
applications; (6) eliminated the Part 22 license renewal rules applicable to the Cellular Service; and (7) 
updated certain other technical rules (Sections 22.169, 22.907, and 22.917).
2A. Revised Power and Power Measurement Rules (47 CFR § 22.913; 47 CFR § 22.99)
To facilitate broadband deployment, the Commission established PSD limits as an option for the 
Cellular Service, with two “safeguards” that apply if the Cellular licensee operates at PSD limits that exceed 
a certain threshold (Higher PSD Limits):  a power flux density (PFD) limit, which is in effect until May 12, 
2024; and an advance notification requirement.  As already permitted in the existing rule for non-PSD 
operations, the revised rule permits a doubling of power for PSD operations in rural counties, defined as 
counties with population densities of 100 persons or fewer per square mile based on the most recently 
available population statistics from the Bureau of the Census, so long as the system is operating more than 
72 kilometers (45 miles) from international borders.  The Commission also made other revisions to Section 
22.913, but retained the existing non-PSD power limits.  The Commission added a definition of “PSD” to 
Section 22.99.  
Pursuant to revised Section 22.913 of the rules:
PSD Limits.  (47 CFR §§ 22.913(a)(1)(ii), (a)(2)(ii), (a)(3), (a)(4)) (see also the sections below 
concerning §§ 22.913(b) and (c))
? The PSD limits for the Cellular Service are as follows:  
o (1) 400 watts/MHz ERP in non-rural areas (Section 22.913(a)(1)(ii)), and 800 
watts/MHz in rural areas (Section 22.913(a)(2)(ii)).
? The two safeguards – the PFD limit and advance notification requirement 
– do not apply at these limits.  
o (2) Higher PSD Limits – up to 1000 watts/MHz ERP in non-rural areas (Section 
22.913(a)(3)), and up to 2000 watts/MHz ERP in rural areas (Section 
22.913(a)(4)).
? At these Higher PSD Limits, the two “safeguards” apply, as described 
further below.  
? PSD limits are to be applied per sector, rather than per transmitter.
Advance Notification Requirement at the Higher PSD Limits.  (47 CFR § 22.913(c))
? This safeguard requires that every Cellular licensee preparing to activate a cell site at the 
Higher PSD Limits must provide a minimum of 30 days (but not more than 90 days) written 
advance notice to any public safety licensee then authorized in the frequency range 806-
816 MHz/851-861 MHz with a base station located within a radius of 113 km of the 
Cellular base station to be deployed. 
o The written notice shall include the location, ERP PSD level, height of the 
transmitting antenna’s center of radiation above ground level, and the timeframe 
for activation of the cell site, as well as the Cellular licensee’s contact information, 
3with additional parameters to be provided upon request by a public safety licensee 
within the 113 km radius.  
o Notification is for informational purposes only. 
? The notified public safety licensee(s) will not have the right to oppose the 
planned Cellular operations, but could analyze the cell site’s potential for 
interference and suggest changes before the cell is activated.  
o Cellular licensees have discretion to make changes, but remain obligated to address 
complaints of interference in compliance with the applicable resolution procedures 
in Sections 22.970-22.973 of the Commission’s rules (discussed further below). 
o The advance notification is required only one time.  For example, if the Cellular 
licensee prepares to operate a cell site at a PSD level of 425 W/MHz, it will be 
required to provide the requisite written notice at least 30 days (but not more than 
90 days) in advance of that cell site’s deployment.  Thereafter, if the same Cellular 
licensee increases the ERP PSD level at that same cell site (e.g., from 425 W/MHz 
to 550 W/MHz), it will not be required to provide additional notice under Section 
22.913.
o All Cellular licensees continue to be subject to the field strength limit rule adopted 
in the Report and Order released on November 10, 2014 in the Cellular Reform 
proceeding (FCC 14-181).  Therefore regardless of the location, power level, or 
height of the Cellular base stations, the signal level at the neighboring licensee’s 
CGSA boundary may not exceed 40 dBµV/m, with certain exceptions, see 47 CFR 
§ 22.983 (including a special provision for the Gulf of Mexico service area and 
also permitting licensees to negotiate a different limit that is mutually acceptable). 
Power Flux Density (PFD) Limit at Higher PSD Limits.  (47 CFR §22.913(b))
? This safeguard specifies that Cellular licensees operating at the Higher PSD Limits are 
subject to a PFD limit for Cellular base transmitters and repeaters for a transition period 
that will end on May 12, 2024 (PFD Sunset Date). 
o The Commission explained in the Second R&O that, for purposes of this 
proceeding, PFD is the amount of radio frequency energy that would be present 
over a given unit of area (e.g., 100 microwatts per square meter), and therefore, 
PFD can be used to describe the strength of signals at ground level in a given 
location.  
 
? A modeled PFD limit of 3000 µW/m˛/MHz – at 1.6 meters above ground level, which 
represents the average height above ground of a public safety receiver being used by a 
person – must be observed over at least 98 percent of the area within 1 km of each base 
station antenna.  
 
4? The PFD limit must be modeled using good engineering practices accounting for terrain 
and local conditions – at the time of initial deployment at the Higher PSD Limits and for 
any site modifications thereafter that may increase the PFD levels around the site. 
? Cellular licensees must perform predictive modeling of the PFD values around each site 
prior to operating their systems at the Higher PSD Limits or, thereafter, prior to changing 
the parameters of these sites such that it could increase the PFD levels.  
? The propagation model must confirm that each applicable base station meets the PFD limit 
over 98 percent of the area within a 1 km radius of the base station antennas, at 1.6 meters 
above ground.  If the predictive model does not confirm compliance with these 
requirements, the licensee will need to adjust base-station parameters, such as the height 
of the antenna, beam tilt, power, or other parameters, until confirmation of the requirements 
is achieved before deployment, thereby reducing the amount of signal energy on the ground 
around the site.  The purpose of the modeling requirement is to ensure that the Cellular 
licensee will consider the impact on the ground of “hot spots” when deploying at the Higher 
PSD Limits and will use engineering techniques to minimize those “hot spots.”  
? While licensees must use modeling tools (software) that take into account terrain and local 
conditions, the model need not consider areas indoors or in buildings because this could 
vary widely depending on building materials.
Retention of Existing Non-PSD ERP Limits.  (47 CFR §§ 22.913(a)(1)(i) and (a)(2)(i))
? The existing non-PSD ERP limits set forth in Section 22.913 – 500 watts in non-rural areas, 
and 1000 watts in rural areas – were retained without change as an option for Cellular 
licensees that either cannot or choose not to operate their systems using a PSD model.  
 
? The non-PSD ERP limits apply per emission.  
Retention of Existing Limit for Mobile and Auxiliary Test Transmitters.   (47 CFR § 22.913(a)(5))
? The existing limit of 7 W ERP for mobile transmitters and auxiliary test transmitters 
contained in Section 22.913(a)(2) was retained, but was moved to a new subsection of the 
rule – Section 22.913(a)(5).
Power Measurement:  Peak vs. Average/Peak-to-Average Ratio. (47 CFR § 22.913(d))
? Measurement of the ERP of Cellular base transmitters and repeaters must be made using 
an average power measurement technique.
? The peak-to-average ratio of the transmission must not exceed 13 dB.  
? Power measurements for base transmitters and repeaters must be made in accordance 
with either of the following:
o A Commission-approved average power technique (see FCC Laboratory’s 
Knowledge Database (KDB) (available at www.fcc.gov/labhelp)); or
5o Peak transmit power.  For purposes of this section, peak transmit power must be 
measured over an interval of continuous transmission using instrumentation 
calibrated in terms of an rms-equivalent voltage. The measurement results must be 
properly adjusted for any instrument limitations, such as detector response times, 
limited resolution bandwidth capability when compared to the emission 
bandwidth, sensitivity, etc., so as to obtain a true peak measurement for the 
emission in question over the full bandwidth of the channel.  
? Licensees should consult the FCC Laboratory’s KDB regularly for the latest recommended 
Commission-approved measurement procedures and techniques.  
 Height-Power Limit and Exemptions.  (47 CFR § 22.913(e) and (f))
? The existing height-power limit was retained, but only for licensees that do not use PSD. 
? The existing “coordination exemption” was retained, but another exemption was added for 
licensees operating their systems using PSD.  
? Hence, under the revised provisions, licensees are not required to comply with the height-
power limits in Section 22.913(e) if either of the following conditions is met:   
o The proposed operation is coordinated with the licensees of all affected Cellular 
systems on the same channel block within 121 kilometers (75 miles) and 
concurrence is obtained; or 
o The licensee's base transmitter or repeater is operated using PSD (i.e., at the PSD 
ERP limits (watts/MHz) specified in Section 22.913(a)(1)(ii), (a)(2)(ii), (a)(3), or 
(a)(4)).
Definition of PSD.  (47 CFR § 22.99)
? In conjunction with adding PSD limits (as described above regarding Section 22.913), the 
Commission added the definition of PSD to the Part 22 definitions in the Commission’s 
rules, explaining that “PSD” describes the amount of effective radiated power (ERP) that 
would be allowed per unit of bandwidth from a base station antenna (e.g., 100 watts/MHz), 
such that wider bandwidth emissions would be permitted more power commensurate with 
their bandwidth.  
B. Interference Resolution Process (47 CFR §§ 22.970-22.973); Public Forum to 
Facilitate Multi-stakeholder Co-existence 
Retention of Part 22 Interference Resolution Rules.  (47 CFR §§ 22.970-22.973)
The Commission retained Sections 22.970-22.973 without change.  
? The Commission will continue to rely on Sections 22.970-22.973 of the Commission’s 
rules, which place strict responsibility for remedying unacceptable interference on the 
licensee(s) causing the interference to public safety communications, serving as a 
“backstop” to help ensure first responders’ critical communications are not impeded. 
6? The obligations of the existing Sections 22.970-22.973 will continue to apply 
notwithstanding the new safeguard requirements set forth in revised Section 22.913, 
including, when applicable, the advance notification requirement and the PFD limit. 
Public Forum to Facilitate Multi-stakeholder Co-existence. 
? The Commission directed the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, together with the 
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and the Office of Engineering and 
Technology (collectively, Bureaus), to convene a public forum no later than one year 
following release of the Second R&O to facilitate a dialog among three stakeholder groups 
– Cellular carriers, public safety entities, and manufacturers of public safety equipment – 
to address the lingering problems of unacceptable interference to public safety receivers 
without hindering spectral efficiency and technological advances in the Cellular Service.  
? The public forum was convened by the Bureaus on November 6, 2017, and participants 
included representatives of large and small Cellular carriers, public safety entities, and 
manufacturers of public safety equipment.  
? The Commission directed the Bureaus to seek an update on co-existence progress from all 
three stakeholder groups no later than four years from the release of the Second R&O, and 
encouraged all stakeholders to share their experiences on spectrum sharing in the band 
throughout the PFD transition period (i.e., until the PFD Sunset Date of May 12, 2024). 
? The Commission directed the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to select the most 
appropriate mechanism by which stakeholders may file such comments and progress 
reports, and to issue a Public Notice announcing the mechanism. 
C. Revised Methodology to Calculate SABs and CGSAs; Deletion of Outdated 
References (47 CFR § 22.911)
Section 22.911 sets forth the methodology for determining the SAB of cell sites and the protected 
licensed area (CGSA).  
? For Cellular licensees that do not elect to use the PSD model, the existing formula in 
Section 22.911(a) was retained, as was the existing alternative methodology set forth in 
Section 22.911(b).  
o The Commission clarified that Sections 22.911(a) and 22.911(b) apply solely to 
Cellular non-PSD operations.  
? For Cellular base stations that operate using PSD, a new Section 22.911(c) was adopted:  
o For the purposes of calculating SABs and determining CGSA boundaries when 
operating with PSD, a predictive propagation model that takes into account terrain 
and other local conditions, based on the 32 dBµV/m contour, is required.  
o The SAB and CGSA boundary must be defined in terms of distances from the cell 
site(s) to the 32 dBµV/m contour along the eight cardinal radials, consistent with 
SAB calculations under the existing rule.  The distances used for the cardinal 
radials must be representative of the coverage within the 45ş sectors.  
7? If the methodology prescribed in Section 22.911(c) yields an SAB extension comprising at 
least 50 contiguous square miles, regardless of whether the CGSA departs ±20 percent in 
the service area of any cell site, the Cellular licensee is required to file an application for 
major modification of the CGSA using FCC Form 601. 
? If the calculation under Section 22.911(a), (b), or (c) (as applicable) results in an SAB 
extension comprising less than 50 contiguous square miles, the licensee may not claim the 
area as part of its CGSA; it may provide service in the extension area on a secondary basis 
only.  No application should be filed (and the Commission will not process any such 
application that is filed) in that scenario.
? In paragraph (d), the Commission removed the outdated reference to “capture of subscriber 
traffic.” 
? The Commission deleted paragraph (e); it is unnecessary because “Unserved Area” is a 
defined term in 47 CFR § 22.99.
D. Permanent Discontinuance of Operations (47 CFR § 22.947)
The Commission revised Section 22.317 so that the site-based permanent discontinuance 
provisions of that rule no longer apply to the Cellular Service.  Instead, a new, modernized rule (Section 
22.947) now addresses permanent discontinuance of Cellular Service operations.  Under this new rule, 
consistent with other geographically licensed services, a Cellular licensee’s permanent discontinuance of 
service at an individual cell site will no longer result in modification of the CGSA to reflect reduced service 
coverage.  In addition:
? Section 22.947 defines permanent discontinuance as 180 consecutive days during which a 
Cellular licensee does not operate or, in the case of a Cellular CMRS provider, does not 
provide service to at least one subscriber that is not affiliated with, controlled by, or related 
to the providing carrier.  
? Section 22.947 applies to the entire geographic licensed area – the CGSA, thus enhancing 
licensees’ flexibility. 
o Under the revised permanent discontinuance rules for Cellular service, the 
Commission will dismiss as unnecessary a site-based cancellation notification, i.e., 
a filing concerning permanent discontinuance of any individual cell site(s).
? Cellular licensees are required to notify the Commission of the permanent discontinuance 
within 10 days of the expiration of the 180-day period by filing FCC Form 601.  
o Whether or not the licensee files the proper notification form, the license for a 
Cellular system that has permanently discontinued service will be terminated 
automatically, and the area will revert back to the Commission for relicensing. 
? Commencing on the day following public notice of cancellation of the Cellular license, the 
Unserved Area will be available to applicants seeking to establish a new Cellular system 
or expand an existing CGSA by at least 50 contiguous square miles.  
8o Applicants should consult the CGSA map-file database before filing, to verify that 
the area is no longer attributed to the cancelled license.  Any discrepancies should 
be reported to Bureau staff, who use the CGSA map files to determine the official 
boundary of a proposed CGSA when reviewing a Cellular Service application.  
? The 180-day discontinuance period applies to new Cellular systems (other than the 
Chambers License system) only after the initial construction period has ended – including 
extensions, if any – following grant of the new-system application. This approach is 
reflected in Section 22.947 and will ensure that licensees of new systems will not be 
penalized in the event they complete construction and commence operations prior to 
expiration of their build-out period. 
? For the Chambers License, the 180-day period for purposes of determining permanent 
discontinuance will commence immediately after the interim construction deadline set 
forth in Section 22.960(b)(1).
? If a Cellular licensee permanently discontinues service but has a still-pending application 
to expand that particular CGSA, the application will be dismissed if not withdrawn.  
? Section 22.947 will be in effect until the effective date of a new Part 1 rule (47 CFR § 
1.953) adopted by the Commission in its Wireless Radio Services (WRS) proceeding, 
which establishes (among other rules) discontinuance of service or operations requirements 
applicable not only to Cellular licensees but also various other WRS licensees.
1
  Section 
1.953, once it takes effect, will not change the obligations established under Section 22.947 
for Cellular licensees; rather, the Part 1 rule is designed to simplify the Commission’s 
regulations by consolidating under one rule all the same sets of obligations that are repeated 
in existing multiple rule Sections on a service-by-service basis.
E. Filings for Certain Minor Modifications (47 CFR § 22.953(c))
? Section 22.953(c) was revised to eliminate the site-based provision requiring filings for 
non-permanent-discontinuance changes to operational cell sites.  
? Consistent with other geographically licensed commercial wireless services, following 
minor system changes, the CGSA boundary will remain fixed, except that Cellular 
licensees may continue to expand their CGSAs under Section 22.949. 
? Under the revised Section 22.953(c) the Commission will dismiss, as an unnecessary filing, 
a notification of a CGSA reduction.
1
 Amendment of Parts 1, 22, 24, 27, 74, 80, 90, 95, and 101 To Establish Uniform License Renewal, Discontinuance 
of Operation, and Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum Disaggregation Rules and Policies for Certain Wireless 
Radio Services, Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,  WT Docket No. 10-112, 32 
FCC Rcd 8874, 82 Fed. Reg. 41580 (2017) (WRS Second R&O). 
9F. Deletion of Cellular Service Comparative Renewal Rules (47 CFR §§ 22.935, 22.936, 
22.939, 22.940, and 22.943) 
The Commission deleted the five Part 22 rules pertaining to Cellular license renewals, including 
the provisions for competing applications to be resolved by comparative hearings.  The revised Cellular 
Service rules reflect deletion of Sections 22.935, 22.936, 22.939, 22.940, and 22.943.  The elimination of 
these Cellular Service-specific renewal rules was a first step toward adoption of uniform renewal 
procedures applicable to Cellular Service and other WRS licensees.
2
G. Other Technical Rules Updated or Deleted (47 CFR §§ 22.169, 22.955, 22.957; 
22.907; and 22.917)
International Coordination Requirements.  (47 CFR §§ 22.169, 22.955 and 22.957)
? The Cellular Service-specific international coordination rules – Sections 22.955 and 
22.957, which were essentially redundant to the general Part 22 rule (Section 22.169) –
were deleted.  
? Section 22.169 was slightly revised by adding a reference to “operation of systems.”
Domestic Coordination Requirements.  (47 CFR § 22.907)
? The introductory paragraph of Section 22.907 was revised to exempt from domestic 
coordination requirements those Cellular licensees that deploy technologies with a 
frequency re-use factor of one.  
? The reference to “tentative selectees” – a vestige of a lottery system that is no longer used 
for Cellular licensing – was deleted.
Out of Band Emission (OOBE) Limit.  (47 CFR § 22.917)
? The Cellular out of band emission (OOBE) limit was retained without change in Section 
22.917(a). 
? Section 22.917(b) was revised to remain consistent with international practices, specifying 
in renumbered Section 22.917(b)(1)) that it applies for measurements in the spectrum 
below 1 GHz, and adding Section 22.917(b)(2) to specify that measurements of out of band 
emissions from Cellular licensees into the spectrum above 1 GHz should use a reference 
bandwidth of 1 MHz.  
o Licensees should regularly consult the FCC Laboratory’s KDB (available at 
www.fcc.gov/labhelp) for the latest recommended Commission-approved 
measurement procedures and techniques, and Part 2 of the Commission rules, 
which are updated to keep pace with changing technologies.
2
 Uniform license renewal rules and policies that apply to Cellular Service and other WRS licensees were subsequently 
adopted by the Commission in the WRS Second R&O.  See id.  
10
III. RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The Commission’s actions in the Second R&O trigger new and modified information collections 
that affect recordkeeping and/or reporting requirements for small entities and all other Cellular licensees 
equally.  The new and modified information collections in the affected rules, which took effect December 1, 
2017, are as follows:
3
? Under Section 22.317, Cellular licensees were previously required to file FCC Form 601 
to notify the Commission if operation at an individual cell site was “permanently 
discontinued” (as defined in that rule).  Cellular licensees are no longer subject to Section 
22.317.  They are instead subject to new Section 22.947, described below.
? Under Section 22.911, which sets forth the methodology for calculating a Cellular 
licensee’s SAB and CGSA, a major modification application is required if the licensee 
proposes to expand its SAB into Unserved Area by 50 contiguous square miles or more.  
The revised rule adopted in the Second R&O clarifies that the methodology and the exhibits 
described in Sections 22.911(a) and (b) only pertain to non-PSD operations. 
o Under new Section 22.911(c), which applies solely to PSD operations, the licensee 
must use a predictive propagation model that is appropriate for the service 
provided, taking into account terrain and local conditions, to calculate the SABs of 
cell sites and determine CGSA expansion areas.   The provision includes details of 
the required calculation.  Under this provision, a major modification for CGSA 
expansion must include, as an exhibit, a depiction of the CGSA accompanied by 
one or more supporting propagation studies using methods appropriate for the 800-
900 MHz frequency range, including all supporting data and calculations, and/or 
by extensive field strength measurement data.  
? Section 22.913(a) as revised establishes the maximum ERP limits for both non-PSD and 
PSD operations.  These limits are described above in Section II.A. 
? Section 22.913(c) requires licensees to provide advanced written notice at least 30 days but 
not more than 90 days prior to activating a base station at the Higher PSD Limits, permitted 
under Sections 22.913(a)(3) and 22.913(a)(4), to any public safety licensee authorized in 
the frequency range 806-816 MHz/851-861 MHz with a base station located within a radius 
of 113 km of the Cellular base station to be deployed.  The written notification must include 
the base station’s location, ERP level, height of the transmitting antenna’s center of 
radiation above ground level, and the timeframe for activation, as well as the Cellular 
licensee’s contact information.  Upon request of a public safety licensee required to be 
notified under this provision, the Cellular licensee shall supply additional information.
3
 Only the new and modified reporting and recordkeeping requirements are discussed in this Section of the Guide.  
Pre-existing requirements that are unchanged by the rules adopted in the Second R&O are not included here.
11
? Section 22.913(f) adds a second exemption regarding the requirement to comply with the 
height-power limit set forth in Section 22.913(e):  a licensee operating its base transmitter 
or repeater using PSD need not comply with Section 22.913(e).
? As adopted in the Second R&O, new Section 22.947 defines “permanent discontinuance” 
based on the entire licensed area (i.e., the CGSA) rather than an individual cell site. 
Specifically, permanent discontinuance is defined as “180 consecutive days during which 
a Cellular licensee does not operate or, in the case of a commercial mobile radio service 
provider, does not provide service to at least one subscriber that is not affiliated with, 
controlled by, or related to the providing carrier.”
o Except with respect to CMA 672-A (discussed below), a licensee’s CGSA 
authorization will automatically terminate, without specific Commission action, if 
the licensee permanently discontinues service.
? This termination of authorization provision does not apply to a new-system 
licensee until after expiration of its construction period (specified in 47 CFR 
§ 22.946).
? The licensee’s authorization for CMA 672-A (Chambers, TX) will 
automatically terminate, without specific Commission action, if the licensee 
permanently discontinues service after meeting its interim construction 
requirement (specified in 47 CFR § 22.960(b)(1)).
o A licensee that permanently discontinues service must notify the Commission of 
the discontinuance within 10 days by filing, via the ULS, FCC Form 601 
requesting license cancellation.  However, even if the licensee fails to file the 
requisite form, its authorization will automatically terminate without specific 
Commission action if service is permanently discontinued.
? Under revised Section 22.953(c), a licensee’s reduction in coverage resulting from minor 
system changes within the CGSA is no longer subject to the requirement to make a filing 
notifying the Commission of the coverage reduction. 
IV. IMPLEMENTATION DATE
The following new and revised rules adopted in the Second R&O became effective May 12, 2017, 
thirty (30) days after publication of the text or summary thereof in the Federal Register:  Sections 22.169, 
22.907, 22.911(d), 22.913(b), 22.913(d), 22.913(e), and 22.917.    
The following rules in the Second R&O required approval by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act:  Sections 22.317, 22.911(a)-(c), 22.913(a), 
22.913(c), 22.913(f), 22.947, and 22.953(c).  These rules became effective on December 1, 2017, 
following OMB approval, as announced by the Commission in a Federal Register notice published on 
November 24, 2017.
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V. INTERNET LINKS
A copy of the Second R&O is available at:
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-27A1.docx 
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-27A1.pdf
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-27A1.txt
A copy of the Federal Register Summary of the Second R&O is available at: 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-04-12/pdf/2017-07154.pdf 
A copy of the Federal Register notice announcing OMB approval and the effective date is available 
at:  https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-11-24/pdf/2017-25413.pdf