Federal Communications Commission DA 23-730 DA 23-730 Released: August 21, 2023 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON REGION 21 (MICHIGAN) 700 MHZ REGIONAL PLAN UPDATE WT Docket No. 02-378 Comments Due: September 20, 2023 Reply Comments Due: October 5, 2023 Introduction. By this Public Notice, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on the Region 21 (Michigan) The Region 21 (Michigan) 700 MHz regional planning area includes the entire state of Michigan. – Regional Planning Committee’s (RPC’s) proposed modification to its 700 MHz Public Safety Plan (Plan) for General Use The General Use spectrum is administered by RPCs and is licensed for public safety services on a site-by-site basis in accordance with the relevant Commission-approved regional plan and frequency coordination. spectrum in the narrowband segment of the 700 MHz band (769-775/799-805 MHz). See Letter from Keith M. Bradshaw, Chairman, Region 21 700 MHz Regional Planning Committee, to Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, WT Docket No. 02-378 (dated Dec. 07, 2021) (filed Jul. 11, 2023) (Cover Letter). See also Region 21 700 MHz Plan Update, WT Docket 02-378 (filed Jul. 11, 2023) (Plan Amendment). Background. In 1998, the Commission established a structure to allow RPCs optimal flexibility to meet state and local needs, encourage innovative use of narrowband spectrum in the 700 MHz band, and accommodate new and as yet unanticipated developments in technology and equipment. See Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal, State and Local Public Safety Agency Communication Requirements Through the Year 2010, First Report and Order and Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 14 FCC Rcd 152 (1998) (First Report and Order); Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, 15 FCC Rcd 16844 (2000). See also 47 CFR § 90.527. Each of the fifty-five (55) RPCs is required to submit its plan for General Use spectrum. See 47 CFR § 90.527. The Commission’s role in relation to the RPCs is limited to (1) defining the regional boundaries; (2) requiring fair and open procedures, i.e., requiring notice, opportunity for comment, and reasonable consideration; (3) specifying the elements that all regional plans must include; and (4) reviewing and accepting proposed plans (or amendments to approved plans) or rejecting them with an explanation. First Report and Order, 14 FCC Rcd at 195 para. 87. The Region 21 700 MHz Plan Update. On July 11, 2023, the RPC submitted an amendment to the Region 21 – 700 MHz Plan. See Cover Letter and Plan Amendment. In its amendment, the RPC proposes to: · Remove non-essential language under the heading “700 MHz Interoperability Channels,” and · Add provisions for deploying fixed 700 MHz interoperability equipment in the region. Cover Letter at 1. See also Plan Amendment at 5. Region 21’s RPC received concurrence letters for the proposed Plan Amendment from its four adjacent regions: Region14 (Indiana), Region 33 (Ohio), Region 45 (Wisconsin), and Region 54 (Chicago-Metropolitan). See Letter from Douglas B. Cochrane, Region 14 Acting Chairman, to Region 21 RPC (Nov. 30, 2021); Letter from Robert M. Bill, Chairman Region 33, to Region 21 RPC (Apr. 23, 2021); Letter from Russell Schreiner, Chairman Region 45, to Region 21 RPC (July 21, 2021); Letter from Chris Kindelspire Chairman Region 54, to Mr. Bradshaw, Region 21 RPC (July 15, 2021); (collectively filed July 11, 2023). We have reviewed the Region 21 Plan Amendment and find that it sufficiently complies with the applicable Commission rules and policies, and tentatively accept it. Request for Comments on the Region 21 Plan Amendment. Prior to taking further action on the RPC’s proposal to amend its 700 MHz plan, by this Public Notice, we solicit comment on the Region 21 Plan Amendment. The Plan Amendment is available through ECFS at ecfs@fcc.gov under WT Docket No. 02-378. Instructions for Filing Comments Pursuant to Sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments on the Region 21 700 MHz Plan Amendment on or before September 20, 2023, and reply comments on or before October 5, 2023. All comments and reply comments should reference the subject Plan and WT Docket No. 02-378. § Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://apps.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 hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. § Filings can be sent by commercial overnight courtier or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FCC has closed its current hand-delivery filing location at FCC Headquarters. We encourage outside parties to take full advantage of the Commission’s electronic filing system. Any party that is unable to meet the filing deadline due to the building closure may request a waiver of the comment or reply comment deadline, to the extent permitted by law. FCC Announces Closure of FCC Headquarters Open Window and Change in Hand-Delivery Filing, Public Notice, DA 20-304 (rel. Mar. 19, 2020). https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-closes-headquarters-open-window-and-changes-hand-delivery-policy.  § Commercial overnight mail (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 St, NE, 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) or (202) 418-0432 (tty). For further information regarding this matter, contact Brian Marenco, Electronics Engineer, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at (202) 418-0838 or Brian.Marenco@fcc.gov. - FCC - 2