Federal Communications Commission DA 22-1215 DA 22-1215 Released: November 21, 2022 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU, OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, AND INTERNATIONAL BUREAU REMIND GRANDFATHERED FIXED SATELLITE SERVICE LICENSEES IN THE 3.6-3.7 GHZ BAND TO SUBMIT 2023 ANNUAL REGISTRATION UPDATES BY DECEMBER 1, 2022 GN Docket No. 17-258 By this Public Notice, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and the International Bureau (Bureaus and Office) remind grandfathered Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) earth station operators in the 3.6-3.7 GHz band of their annual registration requirements. All registrations must be renewed annually by December 1, 2022, for the registration to be valid at the beginning of next year, January 1, 2023. “FSS earth station licensees requesting protection under this part must register with the Commission annually, no later than 30 days before the end of the preceding calendar year, or upon making changes to any of the operational parameters listed in this section. Registration information shall be made available to all approved SASs.” 47 CFR § 96.17(d). This includes information required by the Commission’s rules as well as additional information necessary to ensure that SASs can appropriately protect registered FSS earth stations. “Annual registration for each earth station shall include, at a minimum: (i) The earth station's geographic location (Using NAD83 coordinates); (ii) Antenna gain; (iii) Azimuth and elevation antenna gain pattern; (iv) Antenna azimuth relative to true north; and (v) Antenna elevation angle. (vi) Whether the earth station is used for satellite telemetry, tracking, and control (for earth stations in the 3700-4200 MHz band).” 47 CFR § 96.17(d)(1). Registrations must be submitted via the 3.5 GHz FSS Database. See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and International Bureau Announce the Initial Filing Window and Procedures for Registration of Fixed Satellite Service Earth Stations Entitled to Protection from 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service, GN Docket No. 17-258, Public Notice, DA 18-623, 33 FCC Rcd 6033 (WTB/OET/IB 2018); see also 47 CFR § 96.17. The Bureaus and Office also remind FSS operators that only those earth stations that meet the qualification requirements in section 96.17 of the Commission’s rules may register for protection in the 3.5 GHz FSS database. See 47 CFR § 96.17. After January 1, 2023, registrations that have not been completed may be deactivated or deleted, and the site will no longer merit protection by the Spectrum Access System (SAS) administrators. We provided a one-time grace period until October 17, 2022, for any FSS earth station licensee that failed to submit a 2022 annual registration. See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and International Bureau Remind Grandfathered Fixed Satellite Service Licensees In The 3.6-3.7 GHz Band To Submit Annual Registration Updates, GN Docket No. 17-258, Public Notice, DA 22-960 (WTB/OET/IB 2022) (rel. Sep. 15, 2022). This grace period was in consideration of the relatively new process and in order to avoid any unnecessary service interruptions. Consistent with established policy, the Bureaus and Office will continue to accept late-filed registrations and renewals, including registrations submitted after deactivation, and the SAS administrators will reinstate protections as soon as reasonably practicable after filing. See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and International Bureau Announce Procedures for Registration of Fixed Satellite Service Earth Stations Entitled to Protection from the 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service, Public Notice, 32 FCC Rcd 10419, 10421 (WTB/OET/IB 2017). 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). Additional Information. For further information regarding this Public Notice, please contact Paul Powell, Assistant Division Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Mobility Division at paul.powell@fcc.gov or 202-418-1613; Kerry Murray, Attorney Advisor, International Bureau, Systems Analysis Branch at kerry.murray@fcc.gov or 202-418-0734 or IBFSINFO@fcc.gov; or Navid Golshahi, Electronics Engineer, Office of Engineering and Technology, Electromagnetic Compatibility Division at navid.golshahi@fcc.gov or 202-418-2422. Customers with questions regarding filing registrations may contact the FCC Licensing Support via the web at https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/available-support-services, or by telephone at 877-480-3201 (select option #2). The support hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays). By the Acting Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the Acting Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology, and the Chief, International Bureau. -FCC- 2