DA 18-972 Released: September 20, 2018 OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY SEEKS COMMENT ON ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS INTERNET LLC’S REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF SECTION 15.407(a)(3) OF THE RULES FOR UNLICENSED NATIONAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVICES THAT EMIT MULTIPLE DIRECTIONAL BEAMS ET Docket No. 18-282 Comment Date: October 22, 2018 Reply Comment Date: November 6, 2018 On September 6, 2018, Alaska Communications Internet, LLC (Alaska Communications) filed a request for a waiver of Section 15.407(a)(3) of the Commission’s rules to allow the operation of Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices in the 5.725-5.85 GHz band that emit multiple directional beams at power levels that exceed the limits for point-to-multipoint systems. The Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) seeks comment on this request. Alaska Communications states that it intends to provide broadband service to sparsely populated areas in Alaska by deploying fixed wireless broadband systems in the 5.725-5.85 GHz band. It states that it needs to increase the range of its base stations by using antennas with a higher gain than Section 15.407(a)(3) allows in order to reach all unserved customers within a 40-mile radius of Chena Hot Springs and Ninilchik from available equipment towers. It further states that this increased range is necessary to meet its Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II broadband deployment commitment. Section 15.407(a)(3) of the Commission’s rules permits U-NII devices to operate in the 5.725-5.85 GHz band with a maximum conducted power output of one watt. If an antenna with a maximum directional gain of greater than 6 dBi is used, the conducted power output must be reduced below one watt by the amount in dB that the antenna gain exceeds 6 dBi. However, antennas with a gain greater than 6 dBi may be used without a corresponding reduction in conducted power output if operation is limited to fixed point-to-point applications; point-to-multipoint systems are explicitly excluded from this provision. Alaska Communications is seeking a waiver of this section to permit the operation of point-to-multipoint systems that use multiple simultaneous or sequential beams with one watt conducted power output and antenna gains that exceed 6 dBi, i.e., under the provisions applicable to fixed point-to-point systems. OET seeks comment on the waiver request. OET has concluded that, in order to develop a complete record on the issues presented by this request, this proceeding will be treated, for ex parte purposes, as "permit-but-disclose" in accordance with Section 1.1200(a) of the Commission's rules, subject to the requirements under Section 1.1206(b). Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this document. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). § Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. § Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. § All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building. § Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. § U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554. People with Disabilities: 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). Parties should also send a copy of their filings to Hugh L. Van Tuyl, Office of Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications Commission, Room 7-A162, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554, or by e-mail to Hugh.VanTuyl@fcc.gov. Documents are available for public inspection and copying during business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CYA257, Washington, D.C. 20554. Office of Engineering and Technology contact: Hugh L. Van Tuyl at 202-418-7506. By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology -FCC- 3