[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 62 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14041-14042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7688]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 2, 15 and 97

[Docket No. 94-124; RM-8308; FCC 95-499]


Operation Above 40 GHz

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: By this Second Notice of Proposed Rule Making, (``2nd NPRM''), 
the Commission addresses proposals: to restrict amateur usage of the 
76-77 GHz band in order to protect vehicle radar systems from 
interference while also giving amateur operators coprimary status in 
the 77.5-78 GHz band; to develop a spectrum etiquette technical 
standard for the 59-64 GHz band to minimize interference within that 
band; and to further restrict emissions above 200 GHz to protect radio 
astronomy operations from interference.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 28, 1996. Reply 
comments must be submitted on or before June 27, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments and reply comments should be sent to the Office of 
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Reed, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 418-2455, 
Richard Engelman, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 418-2445, 
or Michael Marcus, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 418-
2470, or send an electronic mail message via the Internet to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 2nd 
NPRM, ET Docket 94-124, FCC 95-499, adopted December 15, 1995, and 
released December 15, 1995. The full text of this Commission decision 
is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in 
the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, 
DC. The complete text of this decision may also be purchased from the 
Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, 
Inc., (202) 857-3800, 1919 M Street, NW., Room 246 or 2100 M Street, 
NW., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037.

[[Page 14042]]


Summary of 2nd NPRM

    1. 2nd NPRM addresses several issues relating to use of the 46.7-
46.9 GHz, 59-64 GHz, and 76-77 GHz bands. First, we are proposing to 
amend Part 97 of our rules to restrict temporarily amateur use of the 
76-77 GHz band in order to ensure that vehicle radar systems will not 
receive interference from amateur operations. To balance any perceived 
harm by amateur operators, we are proposing to upgrade the status of 
amateur operators in the 77.5-78 GHz band to co-primary with the 
radiolocation service. We are also proposing limits for emissions in 
the 200-231 GHz band to protect radio astronomy operations from 
potential interference. In addition, we are proposing to initiate the 
development of a spectrum etiquette standard to prevent interference 
among unlicensed 59-64 GHz devices, analogous to the standards used for 
unlicensed PCS under Part 15 of our rules, and request specific 
proposals for such standards. See 47 CFR 15.321 and 15.323.
    2. The Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (``IRFA'') is 
contained in the text of the 2nd NPRM. The Commission requests written 
public comment on the foregoing IRFA. Comments must have a separate and 
distinct heading designating them as responses to the IRFA and must be 
filed by the deadlines specified in the summary above.

List of Subjects

47 CFR Part 2

    Communications equipment, Radio.

47 CFR Part 15

    Communications equipment, Highway safety, Radio.

47 CFR Part 97

    Communications equipment, Radio.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-7688 Filed 3-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M