[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 86 (Thursday, May 4, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21984-21987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11012]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 15 and 90
[ET Docket 93-235; FCC 95-148]
Additional Frequencies for Cordless Telephones
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: By this action, the Commission makes available 15 new channel
pairs for cordless telephones. This action is taken to relieve
[[Page 21985]] congestion on existing channels and is intended to
improve the operation and convenience of cordless telephones, making it
easier for consumers to obtain improved wireless access to telephone
service.
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 5, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anthony Serafini, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 776-1628.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the background to the
Commission's Report and Order, in ET Docket 93-235, Adopted April 5,
1995 and released April 10, 1995. The complete Report and Order is
available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in
the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street NW., Washington, DC,
and also may be purchased from the Commission's duplication contractor,
International Transcription Service, (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street NW.,
Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037.
1. On August 20, 1992, the Personal Communications Section of the
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) submitted a Petition for
Rule Making (RM-8094) seeking additional frequencies for cordless
telephones. TIA stated that additional cordless telephone channels are
needed to relieve channel-crowding problems, due to the widespread
popularity of these devices. TIA suggested that an additional 15
channel pairs using 30 frequencies near 44 and 49 MHz be made available
for cordless telephone use.
2. On August 20, 1993, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed
Rule Making (Notice), 58 FR 51299 (October 1, 1993), in this
proceeding. In the Notice, the Commission proposed to make available
for cordless telephone use the additional 15 channel pairs suggested by
TIA. These frequencies are currently allocated to the Private Land
Mobile Radio Service (PLMRS). The Commission also proposed to require
that cordless telephones operating on these new frequencies incorporate
a mechanism for automatically monitoring and preventing activation on
any occupied channel. The proposed frequencies in the 44 MHz band are
used internally by TV receivers. The Commission therefore proposed to
designate the lower frequencies near 44 MHz, for base units in order to
minimize interference to TV receivers and not to require any specific
pairing of frequencies. It further requested comment on certain other
technical aspects associated with cordless telephone operation. Namely,
it requested comment on whether to continue to allow cordless telephone
operating frequencies to be offset from the center of cordless
telephone channels and whether 20 kHz is the appropriate bandwidth for
operation on the new frequencies.
3. The commenting parties representing cordless telephone
manufacturers agreed that there is a need for additional cordless
telephone frequencies to relieve channel congestion. Some of these
parties raised concerns with respect to specific technical requirements
and implementation procedures. Other parties, generally representing
land mobile and broadcast interest, expressed concern about potential
interference problems and questioned the need for additional cordless
telephone spectrum.
4. Based on these comments, the Commission adopted the Report and
Order to allow new cordless telephone frequencies. Accordingly, it is
ordered that Parts 15 and 90 of the Commission's rules are amended as
specified below, effective 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register. Furthermore, it is ordered that the Petitions for
Reconsideration filed by the Telecommunications Industry Association
and Uniden America Corporation in GEN Docket No. 89-626 are granted
with regard to the offset channel rule. This action is taken pursuant
to the authority contained in sections 4(i), 302, 303(e), 303(f), and
303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
List of Subjects
47 CFR Part 15
Communications equipment.
47 CFR Part 90
Communications equipment.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
Amendatory Text
A. Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 15 and 90, as
amended to read as follows:
PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES
1. The authority citation for part 15 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 4, 302, 303, 304, and 307 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154, 302, 303, 304, and 307.
2. Section 15.233 is amended by revising the section heading and
paragraphs (b) and (d), to read as follows:
Sec. 15.233 Operation within the bands 43.71-44.49 MHz, 46.60-46.98
MHz, 48.75-49.51 MHz and 49.66-50.0 MHz.
* * * * *
(b) An intentional radiator used as part of a cordless telephone
system shall operate centered on one or more of the following frequency
pairs, subject to the following conditions:
(1) Frequencies shall be paired as shown below, except that channel
pairing for channels one through fifteen may be accomplished by pairing
any of the fifteen base transmitter frequencies with any of the fifteen
handset transmitter frequencies.
(2) Cordless telephones operating on channels one through fifteen
must:
(i) Incorporate an automatic channel selection mechanism that will
prevent establishment of a link on any occupied frequency; and
(ii) The box or an instruction manual which is included within the
box which the individual cordless telephone is to be marketed shall
contain information indicating that some cordless telephones operate at
frequencies that may cause interference to nearby TVs and VCRs; to
minimize or prevent such interference, the base of the cordless
telephone should not be placed near or on top of a TV or VCR; and, if
interference is experienced, moving the cordless telephone farther away
from the TV or VCR will often reduce or eliminate the interference. A
statement describing the means and procedures used to achieve automatic
channel selection shall be provided in any application for equipment
authorization of a cordless telephone operating on channels one through
fifteen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Handset
Channel transmitter transmitter
(MHz) (MHz)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................... 43.720 48.760
2....................................... 43.740 48.840
3....................................... 43.820 48.860
4....................................... 43.840 48.920
5....................................... 43.920 49.020
6....................................... 43.960 49.080
7....................................... 44.120 49.100
8....................................... 44.160 49.160
9....................................... 44.180 49.200
10...................................... 44.200 49.240
11...................................... 44.320 49.280
12...................................... 44.360 49.360
13...................................... 44.400 49.400
14...................................... 44.460 49.460
15...................................... 44.480 49.500
16...................................... 46.610 49.670
17...................................... 46.630 49.845
18...................................... 46.670 49.860
19...................................... 46.710 49.770
20...................................... 46.730 49.875
21...................................... 46.770 49.830
22...................................... 46.830 49.890
[[Page 21986]]
23...................................... 46.870 49.930
24...................................... 46.930 49.990
25...................................... 46.970 49.970
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
(d) The fundamental emission shall be confined within a 20 kHz band
and shall be centered on a carrier frequency shown above, as adjusted
by the frequency tolerance of the transmitter at the time testing is
performed. Modulation products outside of this 20 kHz band shall be
attenuated at least 26 dB below the level of the unmodulated carrier or
to the general limits in Sec. 15.209, whichever permits the higher
emission levels. Emissions on any frequency more than 20 kHz removed
from the center frequency shall consist solely of unwanted emissions
and shall not exceed the general radiated emission limits in
Sec. 15.209. Tests to determine compliance with these requirements
shall be performed using an appropriate input signal as prescribed in
Sec. 2.989 of this chapter.
* * * * *
PART 90--PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES
1. The authority citation for part 90 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 4, 303, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as
amended; 47 U.S.C. secs. 154, 303, and 332, unless otherwise noted.
2. In Sec. 90.65, the table in paragraph (b) is amended, to add a
new limitation ``44'' to the entries for frequencies 48.76, 48.84,
48.86, 48.92, 49.02, 49.08, 49.10, 49.16, 49.20, 49.24, 49.28, 49.36,
49.40, 49.46 and 49.50 MHz, and a new paragraph (c)(44) is added, to
read as follows:
Sec. 90.65 Petroleum Radio Service.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
Petroleum Radio Service Frequency Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency or band Class of station(s) Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Megahertz:
* * * * *
48.76................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
48.84................ ......do............... 10, 44.
48.86................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
48.92................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.02................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.08................ ......do............... 10, 44.
49.10................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.16................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.20................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.24................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.28................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.36................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.40................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.46................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
49.50................ ......do............... 10, 44.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) * * *
(44) This frequency is also used on a secondary basis by cordless
telephones under part 15 of this chapter.
* * * * *
3. In Sec. 90.67, the table in paragraph (b) is amended, to add a
new limitation ``38'' to the entries for frequencies 48.76, 48.84,
48.86, 48.92, 49.02, 49.08, 49.10, 49.16, 49.20, 49.24, 49.28, 49.36,
49.40, 49.46 and 49.50 MHz, and a new paragraph (c)(38) is added, to
read as follows:
Sec. 90.67 Forest Products Radio Service.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
Forest Products Radio Service Frequency Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency or band Class of station(s) Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Megahertz:
* * * * *
48.76................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
48.84................ ......do............... 2, 38.
48.86................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
48.92................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.02................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.08................ ......do............... 2, 38.
49.10................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.16................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.20................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.24................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.28................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.36................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.40................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.46................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
49.50................ ......do............... 2, 38.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) * * *
(38) This frequency is also used on a secondary basis by cordless
telephones under part 15 of this chapter.
* * * * *
4. In Sec. 90.89, the table in paragraph (b) is amended, to add a
new limitation ``23'' to the entries for frequencies 43.72, 43.74,
43.82, 43.84, 43.92, 43.96, 44.12, 44.16, 44.18, 44.20, 44.32, 44.36,
44.40, 44.46 and 44.48 MHz, and a new paragraph (c)(23) is added, to
read as follows:
Sec. 90.89 Motor Carrier Radio Service.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
Motor Carrier Radio Service Frequency Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency or band Class of station(s) Limitations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Megahertz:
* * * * *
43.72................ ...... do.............. 4, 23.
43.74................ ...... do.............. 4, 23.
* * * * *
43.82................ ...... do.............. 4, 23.
43.84................ ...... do.............. 4, 23.
* * * * *
43.92................ ...... do.............. 5, 6, 23.
* * * * *
43.96................ ...... do.............. 5, 23.
* * * * *
44.12................ ...... do.............. 5, 23.
[[Page 21987]]
* * * * *
44.16................ ...... do.............. 5, 23.
44.18................ ...... do.............. 5, 23.
44.20................ ...... do.............. 5, 20, 23.
* * * * *
44.32................ ...... do.............. 5, 23.
* * * * *
44.36................ ...... do.............. 5, 6, 23.
* * * * *
44.40................ ...... do.............. 5, 6, 23.
* * * * *
44.46................ ...... do.............. 1, 23.
44.48................ ...... do.............. 1, 23.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) * * *
(23) This frequency is also used on a secondary basis for cordless
telephones under part 15 of this chapter.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 95-11012 Filed 5-3-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M