47 CFR Part 90, Subpart Y - Regulations Governing Licensing and Use of Frequencies in the 4940-4990 MHz Band

In this Order on Reconsideration, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) provides more flexibility to radio equipment manufacturers interested in the marketing and sale of 700 MHz equipment to public safety agencies by revising the Commission's rules and providing more time for interoperability testing of equipment designed to operate on the 700 MHz narrowband interoperability channels. The Commission balances the needs of manufacturers for flexibility with public safety's need for verified interoperable communications during emergencies. The Commission also provides guidance to states that wish to delegate administration of certain 700 MHz narrowband channels and corrects certain rules governing public safety spectrum.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) provides railroad police officers access to the public safety interoperability channels. In this document, we amend our rules to permit railroad police officers to use public safety interoperability channels to communicate with public safety entities already authorized to use those channels. Specifically, we permit railroad police officers empowered to carry out law enforcement functions to use public safety interoperability channels in the VHF (150-174 MHz, and 220-222 MHz, UHF (450-470 MHz), 700 MHz narrowband (769-775/799-805 MHz)5 and 800 MHz National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) bands (806-809/851-854 MHz). Allowing railroad police officers to use these channels will promote interoperability, facilitate improved emergency response in railroad-related emergencies, and streamline access to these channels for emergency public safety communications.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on proposals to amend the Commission's rules to promote spectrum efficiency, interoperability, and flexibility in 700 MHz public safety narrowband operations (769-775/799-805 MHz). By this action, the Commission affords interested parties an opportunity to submit comments on these proposed rule changes.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) proposes and seeks comment on proposals to revise the Commission's rules governing private land mobile radio (PLMR) services, such as allowing 806-824/851-869 MHz (800 MHz) band incumbent licensees in a market a window in which to apply for Expansion Band and Guard Band frequencies before the frequencies are made available to applicants for new systems, extending conditional licensing authority to applicants for site-based licenses in the 800 MHz and 896-901/935-940 MHz (900 MHz) bands, making available for PLMR use frequencies that are on the band edge between the Industrial/Business (I/B) Pool and either General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) or Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) spectrum, making certain frequencies that are designated for central station alarm operations available for other PLMR uses, and accommodating certain railroad operations.

In this document the Commission opens a new proceeding relating to the National Public Safety Broadband Network being implemented by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). The proceeding seeks comment on proposed procedures for administering the Commission's role in the State opt-out process from the FirstNet radio access network as provided under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, as well as on the Commission's implementation of the specific statutory standards by which it is obligated to evaluate State opt-out applications.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) addresses the 758-769/788-799 MHz band, which the Commission licensed to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) on a nationwide basis pursuant to the provisions of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. We provide a mechanism to facilitate the relocation of the public safety narrowband incumbents currently operating on FirstNet's spectrum. We also affirmatively decline at this time to impose specific build-out requirements on FirstNet as a condition of renewal of its license.

This document amends the Commission's rules to guard against interference to critical public safety communications in the 800 MHz National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) band (806-809/851-854 MHz) and to enhance public safety system interoperability in the VHF, UHF and 800 MHz bands by specifying analog FM as the standard emission for use on all interoperability channels in these bands.

This document seeks comment on the ex parte proposal made by AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon, together with CTIA (collectively, “the carriers”), in which they announce a “Wireless Resiliency Cooperative Framework” described as “a voluntary initiative that will enhance coordination and communication to advance wireless service continuity and information sharing during and after emergencies and disasters.”

In this document, the Commission acknowledges the publication of ANSI C63.26-2015 “American National Standard for Compliance Testing of Transmitters Used in Licensed Radio Services” and seeks comment on incorporating it into the Commission's rules by reference as part of an open rulemaking proceeding that addresses its equipment authorization (EA) rules and procedures. The standard was recently published and is now an “active standard”—that is, the standards association considers it to be valid, current, and approved.

This document implements certain changes to the rules governing six remote control and telemetry channels in the VHF band. We will allow the licensing and operation of vehicular repeater systems (VRS) and other mobile repeaters on these channels. In addition, we revise and update the technical rules for these channels to allow greater use of VRS systems while providing protection for incumbent telemetry users who rely on these frequencies for control of critical infrastructure systems.

This document seeks comment on the ex parte proposal made by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to facilitate the relocation of incumbent public safety communications systems operating in the 758-769/788-799 MHz spectrum band (Band 14) in advance of the deployment and operation of FirstNet's nationwide broadband public safety network (NPSBN).

In this document, the Commission takes several steps to accommodate the long-term needs of wireless microphone users. Wireless microphones play an important role in enabling broadcasters and other video programming networks to serve consumers, including as they cover breaking news and live sports events. They enhance event productions in a variety of settings—including theaters and music venues, film studios, conventions, corporate events, houses of worship, and internet webcasts. They also help create high quality content that consumers demand and value. In particular, the Commission provides additional opportunities for wireless microphone operations in the TV bands following the upcoming incentive auction, and provides new opportunities for wireless microphone operations to access spectrum in other frequency bands where they can share use of the bands without harming existing users.

This document seeks comment on proposals to amend the Commission's rules to provide railroad police with access to public safety interoperability and mutual aid channels. By this action, the Commission affords interested parties an opportunity to submit comments on these proposed rule changes.

The Federal Communications Commission (the Commission) acts to improve the Commission's efficiency, effectively manage Commission resources, and align the Commission's field enforcement activities with contemporary needs for a field enforcement presence. The Commission, the Office of Managing Director and the Enforcement Bureau will take several actions to realign the mission and resources of its 24 field offices. The Bureau's field offices will primarily support the enforcement of the Commission's radio frequency spectrum rules and other key regulations in a manner likely to have the greatest impact, in the most cost effective way possible.

The Commission seeks comment on the Land Mobile Communication Counsel's (LMCC) proposed interference contours for interstitial channels, submitted on May 26, 2015, during the reply comments stage in the pending rule making proceeding. This action is necessary because the Commission desires the benefit of public comment on the proposed interference contours which were not advanced by LMCC until the reply stage of the Interstitial NPRM. The intended effect of this action is to give interested parties a sufficient opportunity to comment on LMCC's May 26, 2015 proposed interference contours.

In this document, the Commission implemented allocation changes from the World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2007) (WRC-07) and updated related service rules. The Commission took this action in order to conform its rules, to the extent practical, to the decisions that the international community made at WRC-07. This action will promote the advancement of new and expanded services and provide significant benefits to the American people. In addition, the Commission revised the International Table of Frequency Allocations within its rules to generally reflect the allocation changes made at the World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2012) (WRC-12).

In this document, the Commission proposes to implement certain allocation changes from the World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2012) (WRC-12) and to update related service rules. The Commission took this action in order to conform its rules, to the extent practical, to the decisions that the international community made at WRC-12. This action will promote the advancement of new and expanded services and provide significant benefits to the American people. In addition, the Commission proposes to address several matters that pertain to unresolved issues from a previous Conference.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopts rules to establish a new Citizens Broadband Radio Service in the 3550—3700 MHz band. This document implements a three-tiered spectrum authorization framework in the 3550-3700 MHz band to facilitate a variety of small cell and other broadband uses of the band on a shared basis with incumbent federal and non-federal users.

In this document, the Commission seeks comment on three specific issues related to the establishment of a new Citizens Broadband Radio Service in the 3550-3700 MHz band (3.5 GHz Band). These issues are: Defining “use” of Priority Access License frequencies; implementing secondary markets in Priority Access Licenses; and optimizing protections for Fixed Satellite Services.

In this document, the Commission amends its rules pertaining to public safety Travelers' Information Stations (TIS), which Public Safety Pool-eligible entities operate to transmit noncommercial, travel-related information over AM band frequencies to motorists on a localized basis. One current TIS rule requires the filtering of audio frequencies transmitted over TIS. Specifically, the Commission relaxes the rule to require the filtering of audio frequencies above 5 kHz instead of 3 kHz. This rule change will enable TIS operators to improve the audio quality and intelligibility of TIS broadcasts, thus improving their ability to communicate clearly with the traveling public.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) grants an unopposed petition filed by the Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC) for partial reconsideration of the Fifth Report and Order in this proceeding. Specifically, for applicants seeking authority to operate centralized trunked stations on Public Safety Pool channels, we eliminate the requirement that the applicant demonstrate that the proposed station's service contour will not be overlapped by any incumbent station's interference contour. We also amend the rule changes adopted in the Fifth Report and Order regarding treatment of mobile stations to clarify how to protect 150-174 MHz band mobile stations that are associated with a base station. This proceeding is part of our continuing effort to provide clear and concise rules that facilitate new wireless technologies, devices and services, and are easy for the public to understand.

This document seeks comment on proposals to amend the Commission's rules to promote spectrum efficiency and flexibility in 800 MHz Mid-Band (809-817 MHz/854-862 MHz). This document contains proposed new or modified information collection requirements. By this action, the Commission affords interested parties an opportunity to submit comments on these proposed rule changes and proposed new or modified information collections.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) proposes to authorize radar applications in the 76-81 GHz band. The Commission seeks to develop a flexible and streamlined regulatory framework that will encourage efficient, innovative uses of the spectrum and to allow various services to operate on an interference-protected basis. In doing so, it further seeks to adopt service rules that will allow for the deployment of the various radar applications in this band, both within and outside the U.S. The Commission takes this action in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Robert Bosch, LLC (Bosch) and two petitions for reconsideration of the 2012 Vehicular Radar R&O.

In this document, a Petition for Reconsideration (Petition) has been filed in the Commission's Rulemaking proceeding by Danielle Coffey, on behalf of Telecommunications Industry Association.

In this document, the Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on the “Roadmap for Improving E911 Location Accuracy” (Roadmap), filed in the E911 location accuracy proceeding by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), AT&T Mobility, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon.

In this document the Commission implements certain changes to the rules governing the 700 MHz public safety narrowband spectrum (769-775/799-805 MHz). We eliminate the requirement for licensees to narrowband to 6.25 kHz technology by December 2016, thereby enabling licensees to extend the life of existing systems and providing public safety with greater flexibility in determining the optimal future use of the band. In addition, we revise and update the technical rules for the band to enhance interoperability and open up certain channels to new uses, and we release reserve spectrum to provide additional capacity, particularly for public safety licensees relocating to the 700 MHz band from the T-Band (470-512 MHz). These rule changes enhance the ability of public safety licensees to use this spectrum to protect the safety of life and property.

The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that a certain rule adopted in its Public Safety 700 MHz Narrowband proceeding (WT Docket No. 96-86; FCC 00-348 and FCC 01-10) between 2000 and 2001, to the extent it contained an information collection requirement that required approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) was approved, and became effective August 21, 2014, following approval by OMB.

In this document the Federal Communications Commission extends the deadline for filing reply comments on its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ( FNPRM ) in this proceeding, which was previously published in the Federal Register .

In this Order, the Commission terminates the Multilateration Location and Monitoring Service (M-LMS) rulemaking proceeding in WT Docket No. 06-49 and concludes that the proposals for broad revisions of the applicable rules do not merit further consideration at this time.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission takes steps to better enable wireless microphone users to provide high quality audio services to serve a wide range of needs. The Commission expands Low Power Auxiliary Station license eligibility under its part 74 rules to include professional sound companies and owners and operators of large venues that routinely use 50 or more wireless microphones, where the use of wireless microphones is an integral part of the major productions or events they host.

This document adopts minor changes to the rules governing the 700 MHz public safety narrowband spectrum (769-775/799-805 MHz). The rule changes eliminate or update outdated technical requirements and offer public safety licensees additional flexibility to operate their 700 MHz narrowband land mobile radio systems. This document also adopts a corresponding change to the emission limits of commercial transmitters operating in the Guard Band B Block spectrum (775-776/805-806 MHz) and addresses recommendations from the National Coordination Committee (NCC) for changes to the 700 MHz narrowband rules.

In this further notice of proposed rulemaking, the Commission seeks comment on specific rule proposals for the establishment of a new Citizens Broadband Radio Service in the 3550-3650 MHz band (3.5 GHz Band).

In this document, the Commission seeks comment on a proposal filed by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) that would relax but not eliminate certain of the Commission's rules which require the filtering of Travelers' Information Stations (TIS) audio frequencies between 3 and 20 kHz.

In this document, the Commission amends its rules to change the date of the “substantial service” benchmarks applicable to 700 MHz narrowband State licenses. This is intended to conform the dates used for the substantial service benchmarks under the Commission rules to the deadlines specified in the Commission's July 2011 Declaratory Ruling.

The Federal Communications Commission extends the deadline for filing reply comments on the Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ( NPRM ), in this proceeding, which was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, January 15, 2014. Interested parties now will have until May 16, 2014, to file reply comments, as opposed to the March 17, 2014, deadline set forth in the NPRM.

In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Commission proposes to revise outdated rules and adopt consistent new rules governing mobile communications services aboard airborne aircraft. These rule changes would give airlines, subject to applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DoT) rules, the choice of whether to enable mobile communications services using an Airborne Access System and, if so, which specific services to enable. The proposed rules would also replace an existing patchwork of regulatory prohibitions on airborne use of mobile services in some, but not all, of the heavily used mobile wireless bands with a consistent regulatory framework that explicitly forbids airborne use of mobile services in those bands unless they are operating on an aircraft equipped with an Airborne Access System.

The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts a Second Report and Order that establishes consolidated service rules for the 758-769 and 788-799 MHz bands, the 700 MHz spectrum licensed to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) for purposes of establishing a nationwide public safety broadband network. The Second Report and Order also lifts the suspension on the certification of equipment for operation in this band and directs the Office of Engineering and Technology to commence such certification, consistent with the service rules adopted therein.

In this document, the Commission announces the approval of the Commission's revised rules in the Fifth Report and Order, WP Docket No. 07-100, FCC 13-52, to the extent it contained information collection requirements that required approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These requirements were approved on October 28, 2013. This notice is consistent with the Fifth Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules.

In this Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission proposes an amendment to the Commission's rules to allow the licensing and operation of vehicular repeater systems and other mobile repeaters by public safety licensees on certain frequencies in the VHF band.

This document seeks comment on proposals to amend the Commission's rules to promote spectrum efficiency, interoperability, and restrict interference in public safety operations in the (806-809/851-854 MHz, 150-170 MHz and 450-470 MHz bands). By this action, the Commission affords interested parties an opportunity to submit comments on these proposed rule changes.

In this document, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the information collections associated with the Commission's rules to improve wireless coverage through the use of signal boosters. This notice is consistent with the Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules.

On August 19, 2013, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) released a public notice inviting public comment on a filing submitted by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) on August 2, 2013, in PS Docket 12-94. The filing addressed consolidation of technical service rules for the 758-769 and 788-799 MHz bands,

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) amends its rules to permit the certification, licensing, and use of foreign object debris (FOD) detection radar equipment in the 78-81 GHz band. The presence of FOD on airport runways, taxiways, aprons, and ramps poses a significant threat to the safety of air travel. FOD detection radar equipment will be authorized on a licensed basis.