*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 58891.doc* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: August 3, 2006 Chelsea Fallon: (202) 418- 7991 FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON POSSIBLE MODIFICATIONS TO RULES GOVERNING WIRELESS LICENSES IN PORTIONS OF THE 700 MHz SPECTRUM BAND Washington, D. C. – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (Notice) that seeks comment on possible changes to the rules governing wireless licenses in the 698- 746, 747- 762, and 777- 792 MHz spectrum bands. These portions of the 698- 806 MHz band, which is commonly referred to as the “700 MHz Band,” have been allocated for commercial wireless services and do not include the 700 MHz Guard Bands nor the portions of the 700 MHz Band that have been allocated for public safety services (see attached diagram). Under the Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005 (DTV Act), which was signed into law earlier this year, the FCC is required to commence an auction of previously unauctioned spectrum in this Band no later than January 28, 2008. In response to the changes made by the DTV Act affecting the 700 MHz Band, and because more than four years have passed since the FCC previously established band plans and service rules for this spectrum, the FCC has decided to revisit some of its earlier decisions regarding the service rules for licenses in this band. Today’s Notice seeks comment on the possibility of modifying the size of the geographic service areas and spectrum blocks, and on revising the performance requirements, for the portions of the 700 MHz band that have not yet been auctioned. The FCC is also seeking comment on several issues related to both auctioned and unauctioned spectrum in the 698- 746, 747- 762, and 777- 792 MHz bands, including modifying the rules related to license renewal, license terms, and power limits. Regarding the portions of the 700 MHz Band that have not yet been auctioned, today’s Notice seeks comment on whether there is a need to revise the size of the geographic service areas for the remaining unauctioned spectrum in the band, including the possibility of using smaller areas - such as the 734 Cellular Market Areas composed of Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Rural Service Areas. The Notice also seeks comment on whether to modify the size of certain spectrum blocks, including the possibility of dividing Block D in the Upper 700 MHz Band into smaller blocks. The Notice also requests input on whether to add or revise performance requirements for unauctioned spectrum, including such alternatives as specific construction benchmarks. Today’s Notice also seeks comment on several additional issues relating to both auctioned and unauctioned licenses in the 700 MHz Band. For these licenses, comment is sought on whether to clarify or modify the rules for license renewal. The Notice also seeks comment on 1 2 whether to revise and possibly extend the term of licenses, as well as whether to modify the existing power limits in both the Upper 700 MHz and the Lower 700 MHz Bands. In light of the paramount importance of public safety operations in the 700 MHz Band, the FCC stated that it would take no action that would cause harmful interference to public safety licensees in the band. The Notice also seeks comment on steps the FCC could take to further facilitate access to 700 MHz Band spectrum and the provision of service on tribal lands. Finally, today’s Notice requests comment on the tentative conclusion that services provided by licensees in the 700 MHz Band, and in other bands subject to Part 27 of the rules, should be subject to E911 and hearing aid- compatibility requirements to the same extent that such services would be covered if provided in other bands. Action by the Commission on August 3, 2006, by Notice of Proposed Rule Making, Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 06- 114). Chairman Martin with Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell. Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell. For additional information, contact Michael Rowan at (202) 418- 1883 or Michael. Rowan@ fcc. gov, or Bill Stafford at (202) 418- 0563 or Bill. Stafford@ fcc. gov. WT Docket No. 06- 150 CC Docket No. 94- 102 WT Docket No. 01- 309 – FCC – News and other information about the Federal Communications Commission is available at www. fcc. gov. 2 3 698- 806 MHz Band 698 746 764 776 794 806 Public Safety Public Safety Lower 700 MHz Band Upper 700 MHz Band (Channels 52- 59) (Channels 60- 69) Lower 700 MHz Band Block Frequencies Bandwidth Pairing Area Type Licenses A 698- 704, 728- 734 12 MHz 2 x 6 MHz 700 MHz EAG 6 B 704- 710, 734- 740 12 MHz 2 x 6 MHz 700 MHz EAG 6 C 710- 716, 740- 746 12 MHz 2 x 6 MHz MSA/ RSA 734* D 716- 722 6 MHz unpaired 700 MHz EAG 6* E 722- 728 6 MHz unpaired 700 MHz EAG 6 Upper 700 MHz Band 747 762 777 792 A [GB] C D B [GB] Public Safety A [GB] C D B [GB] Public Safety CH. 60 CH. 61 CH. 62 CH. 63 CH. 64 CH. 65 CH. 66 CH. 67 CH. 68 CH. 69 746 752 758 764 770 776 782 788 794 800 806 Block Frequencies Bandwidth Pairing Area Type Licenses A [GB] 746- 747, 776- 777 2 MHz 2 x 1 MHz MEA 52* B [GB] 762- 764, 792- 794 4 MHz 2 x 2 MHz MEA 52* C 747- 752, 777- 782 10 MHz 2 x 5 MHz 700 MHz EAG 6 D 752- 762, 782- 792 20 MHz 2 x 10 MHz 700 MHz EAG 6 *Blocks have been auctioned. [GB] = 700 MHz Guard Band A B C D E A B C CH. 52 CH. 53 CH. 54 CH. 55 CH. 56 CH. 57 CH. 58 CH. 59 698 704 710 716 722 728 734 740 746 3