NEWS
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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).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
March 22, 2007 Chelsea Fallon: (202) 418-7991
FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON PERMITTING THE USE OF SMALLER ANTENNAS 
BY FIXED SERVICE OPERATORS IN THE 11 GHz BAND
Washington, D.C. –Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) that seeks comment on permitting the installation of 
smaller antennas by Fixed Service operators in the 10.7-11.7 GHz band.  The Notice asks 
whether this action would serve the public interest by facilitating the efficient use of the 11 GHz 
band while protecting other users in the band from interference due to the use of smaller 
antennas.  Today’s Notice was adopted in response to a Petition for Rulemaking filed by 
FiberTower, Inc., a wireless backhaul provider, and to comments received in response to that 
Petition.
The FCC’s microwave service rules establish directional antenna standards that are 
designed to maximize the use of the microwave spectrum, including the 11 GHz band, while 
avoiding interference among operators.  Although the rules do not mandate a specific antenna 
size, they do specify certain technical parameters – including maximum beamwidth, minimum 
antenna gain, and minimum radiation suppression – that, given the current state of technology, 
limit operators to a minimum antenna size of four feet.  FiberTower’s Petition proposes changes 
to the technical parameters that would permit the use of smaller Fixed Service antennas with 
reduced mainbeam gain, increased beamwidth, and modified sidelobe suppression in the 11 GHz 
band.  Today’s Notice seeks comment on those proposed changes.  
The FCC’s microwave rules also establish coordination procedures and interference 
standards applicable to the operation of FS antennas in the 11 GHz band.  Because the proposed 
use of smaller, lower-gain antennas would result in more radiofrequency energy being 
transmitted in directions away from the actual point-to-point link, FiberTower proposed 
coordination rules that would place any burden arising from the use of a smaller antenna on the 
party opting to deploy such an antenna.  The FCC seeks comment in today’s Notice on those 
proposed coordination rules.
Finally, the 11 GHz band is allocated within the United States on a co-primary basis to 
the Fixed Service, licensed under the FCC’s Part 101 microwave rules, and Fixed Satellite 
Service.  In today’s Notice, the FCC tentatively concludes that such an allocation does not 
preclude the FCC from facilitating the efficient use of the band by permitting FS operators to 
deploy smaller antennas while protecting other users in the band from harmful interference 
associated with the use of the smaller antennas. The FCC seeks comment on that conclusion.  
The FCC also seeks comment on whether existing Fixed Service and Fixed Satellite Service 
licensees would be adequately protected under the proposed rule changes.
2
Action by the Commission on March 22, 2007, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 07-38).
Chairman Martin and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell.  Separate 
statement issued by Commissioner Adelstein.
For additional information, contact Brian Wondrack at (202) 418-0653 or
Brian.Wondrack@fcc.gov.
WT Docket No. 07-51.
– FCC –
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