[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