Federal Communications Commission	DA 21-369


DA 21-369
Released:  March 29, 2021

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE’S REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF SECTION 96.39(C)(2) OF THE COMMISSION’S RULES FOR THE CITIZENS BROADBAND RADIO SERVICE IN THE 3.5 GHZ BAND

WT Docket No. 21-111

Comments Due:  April 8, 2021
Reply Comments Due:  April 15, 2021

On February 1, 2021, the National Football League (NFL) filed a request for waiver of section 96.39(c)(2) of the Commission’s rules 47 CFR § 96.39(c)(2).
 governing the Citizens Broadband Radio Service to allow the NFL to continue operating their coach-to-coach communications systems in the event of an Internet outage. The National Football League Request for Partial Waiver of Section 96.39(c) of the Commission’s Rules to Permit the Certification and Operation of a Citizen’s Broadband Radio Service System in Stadiums During NFL Football Games (filed Feb. 1, 2021) (Waiver Request).
  The NFL states that a waiver is necessary to account for circumstances in which Internet service is interrupted or becomes unavailable during or immediately prior to the commencement of a scheduled game in a stadium but after a Spectrum Access System (SAS) administrator grants authority to operate the NFL’s Citizens Broadband Radio Service system for that game and within that particular stadium. Request at 1.
  Section 96.39(c)(2) requires Citizens Broadband Service Devices (CBSDs) to receive and comply with all incoming commands from its associated SAS about any changes to power limits and frequency assignments. 47 CFR § 96.39(c)(2).
  CBSDs are required to cease transmission, move to another frequency range, or change power levels within 60 seconds as instructed by an SAS. Id.
  
The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on this request for waiver.  To develop a complete record on the issues presented by this request, the proceeding will be treated, for ex parte purposes, as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with Section 1.1200(a) of the Commission’s rules, subject to the requirements under Section 1.1206(b).  The NFL filed its petition electronically as a non-docketed proceeding in the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System. The NFL filed in the non-docketed ECFS inbox.  See https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/102010906914530/2021%20January%20NFL%20CBRS%20Limited%20Waiver%20Request%20FINAL%20FOR%20FILING%2020210131.pdf.
  We have opened a new docket, WT Docket 21-111, to facilitate consideration of this request and have moved the NFL’s submission into this docket.  Parties should file all comments and reply comments in WT Docket 21-111.
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Filing Requirements.  Parties may file comments, identified by WT Docket No. 21-111, by any of the following methods:
· Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the internet by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/.
· Paper Filers:  Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing.
Filings can be sent by commercial courier or by the U.S. Postal Service.  All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
· Commercial deliveries (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
· U.S. Postal Service First-Class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 45 L Street, NE, Washington, DC 20554.
· Effective March 19, 2020, and until further notice, the Commission no longer accepts any hand or messenger delivered filings.  This is a temporary measure taken to help protect the health and safety of individuals, and to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19.  See FCC Announces Closure of FCC Headquarters Open Window and Change in Hand-Delivery Policy, Public Notice, DA 20-304 (March 19, 2020). https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-closes-headquarters-open-window-and-changeshand-delivery-policy.
· During the time the Commission’s building is closed to the general public and until further notice, if more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of a proceeding, paper filers need not submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number; an original and one copy are sufficient.
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 & Government Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty).
Additional Information.  For further information regarding this Public Notice, please contact Paul Powell, Associate Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at Paul.Powell@fcc.gov or (202) 418-1613. 
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