[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 20, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59048-59072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29530]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 1, 2, 27, and 97

[GN Docket No. 96-228; FCC 96-441]


Wireless Communications Service

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: By this Notice of Proposed Rule Making (``NPRM''), the Federal 
Communications Commission (``Commission'') proposes to establish a new 
Wireless Communications Service (``WCS'') in the 2305-2320 and 2345-
2360 MHz bands. This action is being taken pursuant to the Omnibus 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997 (``Appropriations Act''). The 
intended effect of this action is to make thirty megahertz of spectrum 
available for the provision of fixed, mobile, radiolocation services, 
or satellite Digital Audio Radio Services (``satellite DARS'').

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 4, 1996 and 
reply comments must be submitted on or before December 16, 1996.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Mooring, Office of Engineering and 
Technology, (202) 418-2450, or Matthew Moses or Joshua Roland, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0660.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's NPRM 
in GN Docket No. 96-228, adopted on November 8, 1996, and released on 
November 12, 1996. The complete NPRM is available for inspection and 
copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 
239), 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., and also may be purchased 
from the Commission's duplication contractor, International 
Transcription Service, (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, 
Washington D.C. 20037. The complete NPRM is also available on the 
Commission's Internet home page (http://www.fcc.gov/).

Summary of NPRM

I. Introduction

    1. By this action, we propose to establish a new Wireless 
Communications Service (``WCS'') in the 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz 
bands. We also propose to award one or more WCS licenses by competitive 
bidding using multiple round electronic auction procedures. We further 
propose to permit the WCS licensee to provide any fixed, mobile, 
radiolocation services, or satellite Digital Audio Radio Services 
(``satellite DARS''), consistent with the international Radio 
Regulations. Finally, we propose to establish service and technical 
rules to ensure that harmful interference is not caused to other radio 
services. We believe that these proposals will enable WCS licensees to 
use their spectrum in the most technically and economically efficient 
manner practicable. This action is being taken pursuant to the Omnibus 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, P.L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009 
(1996). (``Appropriations Act'').

II. Background

A. Appropriations Act

    2. The Appropriations Act requires the Commission to reallocate the 
frequencies at 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz to wireless services that 
are consistent with international agreements concerning spectrum 
allocations, and to assign the use of such frequencies by competitive 
bidding pursuant to Section 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934 
(``Communications Act''). See 47 U.S.C. 309(j). In addition, the 
Appropriations Act requires that the Commission, in making these bands 
of frequencies available for competitive bidding, seek to promote the 
most efficient use of the spectrum, and take into account the needs of 
public safety radio services. The Appropriations Act also requires that 
the Commission commence the competitive bidding process for the 
assignment of the frequencies made available by this action no later 
than April 15, 1997. Finally, the Appropriations Act requires the 
Commission to conduct the competitive bidding for these frequencies in 
a manner that ensures that all proceeds of the bidding are deposited in 
accordance with Section 309(j)(8) of the

[[Page 59049]]

Communications Act, not later than September 30, 1997.
    3. In order to make this spectrum available for licensing quickly, 
the Appropriations Act grants the Commission permission to use 
expedited administrative procedures. Specifically, the Appropriations 
Act states that rules governing the frequencies made available by this 
proceeding will be effective immediately upon publication in the 
Federal Register. The Appropriations Act makes inapplicable to this 
rule making proceeding the contrary requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(d) 
(Administrative Procedure Act provision that a substantive rule must 
generally be published in the Federal Register at least 30 days before 
its effective date) and 5 U.S.C. Secs. 801(a)(3) and 806(a) (Contract 
With America Advancement Act provisions). The Appropriations Act 
further provides that 5 U.S.C. Chapter 6 (regulatory flexibility 
analysis requirements) and 44 U.S.C. 3507 and 3512 (information 
collection requirements) will not apply to the rules and competitive 
bidding procedures governing the frequencies at issue here. Further, 
the statute provides that the Commission may grant a license 
application for these frequencies no earlier than seven days following 
issuance of a public notice of the acceptance for filing of the 
application or major amendment thereto, notwithstanding the 30-day 
public notice provisions of 47 U.S.C. 309(b). Finally, the statute 
provides that the Commission may specify a period that is not less than 
five days following issuance of such public notice for the filing of 
petitions to deny a license application for these frequencies, 
notwithstanding the 30-day public notice provisions of 47 U.S.C. 
Sec. 309(d)(1).

B. Existing Spectrum Allocations and Use

i. International
    4. With regard to the frequencies under consideration in this 
proceeding, the member nations of the International Telecommunication 
Union (``ITU'') have adopted the following radio service allocations 
that apply to use of this spectrum in the United States. The 2300-2450 
MHz band is allocated to the fixed, mobile, and radiolocation services 
on a primary basis.1 In addition, the 2310-2360 MHz band is 
allocated to the broadcasting-satellite service (sound) and 
complementary terrestrial sound broadcasting service on a primary basis 
in the United States, and this use is limited to digital audio 
broadcasting. Finally, the 2300-2450 MHz band is allocated to the 
amateur radio service on a secondary basis.
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    \1\ The aeronautical mobile service for telemetry, however, has 
priority over other uses by the mobile service in the 2300-2390 MHz 
band in the United States and the 2300-2483.5 MHz band in Canada. 
See international footnote S5.394. We also note that the ITU is 
transitioning to new Simplified Radio Regulations, which use the 
``S'' numbering scheme for international footnotes. In anticipation 
of the ITU's ultimate conversion to the Simplified Radio 
Regulations, we are employing the new ``S'' numbering scheme for 
international footnotes adopted in this proceeding. The Commission 
lists the international footnotes immediately following the Table of 
Frequency Allocations in Section 2.106 of the Rules. See 47 CFR 
Sec. 2.106. Until such time as this list is revised in its entirety 
to comport with the new ``S'' numbering scheme, those international 
footnotes that are amended to the new scheme in individual 
proceedings will be listed in Section 2.106 immediately prior to the 
list of unamended footnotes employing the old numbering scheme.
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ii. Domestic
    5. In the United States, the 2300-2310 MHz band was made available 
for exclusive non-Government use as of August 10, 1995.2 
Currently, the only non-Government use of this band is by the amateur 
radio service, which operates in this spectrum on a secondary basis. 
The 2310-2360 MHz band was recently re-allocated to the non-Government 
broadcasting-satellite service on primary basis. This allocation is 
limited to digital audio broadcasting, commonly known as satellite 
DARS, in the United States.3 In the action allocating this 
spectrum to satellite DARS, we stated that it would be necessary to 
accommodate the aeronautical telemetry services now operating in the 
2310-2360 MHz band in the 2360-2390 MHz band. The aeronautical 
telemetry community supported this re-accommodation. Continued use of 
the 2310-2360 MHz band by aeronautical telemetry and radiolocation 
users will be on a secondary basis.4
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    \2\ During the reallocation process, the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration (``NTIA'') 
recommended the following constraints: (1) the 2300-2310 MHz band 
must not be used for airborne or space-to-Earth links; (2) 
commercial operations at 2300-2310 MHz must be limited to less than 
one watt of power; (3) unwanted emission levels of commercial 
applications on any frequency below 2300 MHz must be attenuated 
below the mean power of the unmodulated carrier by 70 dB; (4) and 
operation of commercial devices in the 2300-2310 MHz band must not 
be permitted on Ft. Irwin, California. See Spectrum Reallocation 
Final Report, U.S. Department of Commerce, February 1995, at pages 
4-15 and 4-16.
    \3\ We are considering service, licensing and technical rules 
for satellite DARS in IB Docket No. 95-91. See Establishment of 
Rules and Policies for the Digital Audio Radio Satellite Service in 
the 2310-2360 MHz Frequency Band, IB Docket No. 95-91, Notice of 
Proposed Rule Making, 60 FR 35166 (July 6, 1995) (``Satellite DARS 
NPRM'').
    \4\ The 2320-2345 MHz band will continue to be available for the 
Government and non-Government mobile service and Government 
radiolocation service on a primary basis, until January 1, 1997, or 
until such time as a broadcasting-satellite (sound) service has been 
brought into use in such a manner as to affect or be affected by the 
mobile and radiolocation services, whichever is the later date.
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III. Discussion

A. Reallocation of Spectrum for WCS

    6. The Appropriations Act directs the Commission to reallocate the 
2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands to wireless services that are 
consistent with international agreements concerning spectrum 
allocations. We interpret this provision to mean that the Commission 
may allocate this spectrum to any or all radio services also contained 
in the International Table of Frequency Allocations applicable to the 
United States. We believe that the allocation for WCS should provide 
for the broadest range of services permitted under international 
agreements. Accordingly, we propose to allocate the 2305-2320 and 2345-
2360 MHz bands to the fixed, mobile, and radiolocation services on a 
primary basis. We also propose to retain the current primary 
broadcasting-satellite allocation in the 2310-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz 
bands. We request comment on these proposals.
    7. We note, however, that the large number of Canadian fixed 
service facilities in the 2310-2320 MHz band has previously caused us 
to request comment on licensing satellite DARS in the 2320-2360 MHz 
band first.5 Accordingly, we request comment on the feasibility of 
satellite DARS in the 2310-2320 MHz band and on whether we should limit 
satellite DARS to the 2345-2360 MHz portion of the WCS spectrum. 
Alternatively, we could limit operations at 2310-2320 MHz to 
complementary terrestrial DARS operations subject to coordination with

[[Page 59050]]

Canada. We request comment on these options.
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    \5\ See note 3, supra. Satellite CD Radio, Inc., an applicant 
for a satellite DARS license, conducted an independent study which 
analyzed the coordination of U.S. satellite DARS systems with 
Canadian terrestrial systems and submitted it to the Commission. See 
Letter to Chief, Satellite Radio Branch regarding the Coordination 
of 2310-2360 MHz with Canada (``Coordination Study''), dated 
February 14, 1994, IB Docket No. 95-91. According to the 
Coordination Study, in 1994, 186 of 213 Canadian terrestrial 
stations operated between 2310-2320 MHz. See Coordination Study at 
14. See also letter from Satellite Engineering Branch dated February 
16, 1996 to representatives of Satellite CD Radio and other DARS 
applicants. Recent discussions between our staff and Industry Canada 
indicate that there are now approximately 230 Canadian terrestrial 
stations operating in the 2310-2360 MHz band. In addition, Canada 
has mobile aeronautical telemetry (``MAT'') operations in the 
2329.25-2390 MHz band.
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    8. As mentioned above, the 2300-2310 MHz band is currently 
allocated to the amateur radio service on a secondary basis. In 
addition, the 2310-2360 MHz band is permitted to be used by 
aeronautical telemetry operations on a secondary basis. We do not 
propose any changes to these allocations at this time. We reiterate, 
however, that these operations would be secondary to any WCS use of the 
2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands. We seek comment on this approach.

B. Licensing Plan for WCS

i. Permitted Services
    9. As indicated above, our spectrum allocation proposals for the 
2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands would permit the provision of a broad 
range of fixed, mobile, radiolocation and broadcasting-satellite 
services. In keeping with this broad allocation, we propose to permit a 
WCS licensee to use this spectrum for any use permitted within any of 
the allocation categories of fixed, mobile, radiolocation, and 
broadcasting-satellite services, subject to international requirements 
and coordination. In establishing the General Wireless Communications 
Service (``GWCS'') in August, 1995, we concluded that authorizing a 
wide variety of services bounded only by international allocations 
comported with our statutory authority and served the public interest 
by fostering the provision and mix of services most desired by the 
public.6 Similarly, we believe that permitting this flexibility in 
service offerings for WCS will foster the provision and mix of WCS 
services most desired by the public. We request comment on this 
approach. In particular, we request comment on industry experience and 
plans with regard to the GWCS, including how our rules permitting any 
and all allocable services in that band have served or are expected to 
serve the public interest in rapidly making available to the public 
those services most desired.
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    \6\ See Allocation of Spectrum Below 5 GHz Transferred from 
Federal Government Use, Second Report and Order, 60 FR 40712 (August 
9, 1995). See also Becht, ``The General Wireless Communications 
Service: FCC Spectrum Traffic Cop or Broker?,'' 4 Commlaw Conspectus 
95 (1996).
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ii. Licensed Service Areas
    10. We also generally believe that licensing the WCS spectrum on 
the basis of large geographic service areas would facilitate operation 
of the broadest possible range of new communications services in the 
WCS spectrum and would promote their introduction in the most rapid and 
efficient manner. We request comment on the appropriate size for WCS 
licenses. Specifically, we request comment on whether WCS should be 
licensed on the basis of the 51 Major Trading Areas (``MTAs'') defined 
for the narrowband and broadband Personal Communications Service 
(``PCS''),7 regional service areas similar to the 5 regions 
adopted for narrowband PCS,8 or on a nationwide basis. For 
example, in the case of broadband PCS, we noted that the 51 MTA service 
areas, would provide certain economies of scale and scope needed for 
the development of low cost equipment, would promote the development 
roaming within large geographic areas and would facilitate 
interoperability. In the case of narrowband PCS, we found it desirable 
to provide a service category that is smaller than nationwide but 
larger than the 51 Major Trading Areas on which many of the narrowband 
PCS licenses are based. We observed that regional licenses would better 
reflect the technologies and business plans of parties intending to 
implement narrowband PCS systems serving wide areas that cover multiple 
cities. On the other hand, a nationwide service area would facilitate 
nationwide roaming and interoperability of services, and avoid the need 
for negotiation of roaming agreements among multiple carriers. A 
nationwide approach would also allow for maximum economies of scale, 
thus minimizing both the cost of providing service and the cost of 
equipment.
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    \7\ Rand McNally & Company (``Rand McNally'') has divided the 50 
States and the District of Columbia into 47 MTAs. See Rand McNally 
1992 Commercial Atlas & Marketing Guide at pages 38-39 (123rd 
edition). Following the approach we have taken with regard to other 
services in which we have used MTA license areas, we would separate 
Alaska from the Seattle MTA so that Alaska would be licensed as a 
separate MTA-like area. We also would license separately the 
following insular areas as MTA-like areas: (1) Puerto Rico and the 
United States Virgin Islands; (2) Guam and the Northern Mariana 
Islands; and (3) American Samoa. Thus, if this alternative is 
adopted, we would license 51 MTAs and MTA-like areas, which is the 
approach we adopted in PCS. See 47 CFR Secs. 24.102(c) and 
24.202(a). We note that Rand McNally owns the copyright to MTA 
Listings. The Personal Communications Industry Association and Rand 
McNally entered into an agreement regarding the use of Rand 
McNally's market area designations (e.g., MTAs) for licensing of 
various mobile radio services. WCS services in the 2305-2320 and 
2345-2360 MHz bands are not covered by this agreement. Accordingly, 
a license agreement with Rand McNally would be necessary. The 
listings of the MTAs, including the counties, parishes, and census 
divisions that comprise each MTA, are available for public 
inspection in the Office of Engineering and Technology's Technical 
Information Center, 2nd Floor, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
    \8\ The five regional narrowband PCS services areas were 
developed by aggregating MTAs into five geographic areas, each with 
approximately twenty percent of the nation's population. The five 
regions defined for narrowband PCS licenses are set forth in 47 CFR 
Secs. 24.102(b). Thus, if we were to use the narrowband PCS regional 
service areas, as indicated above for MTAs, a license agreement with 
Rand McNally would be necessary. Alternatively, if a regional 
service area approach is deemed appropriate, we could also, for 
example, aggregate the 172 Economic Areas developed by the 
Department of Commerce into five geographic areas, each with 
approximately twenty percent of the nation's population. For 
example, such an approach was proposed for 220 MHz services in PR 
Docket No. 89-552. The Bureau of Economic Analysis within the 
Department of Commerce has divided the 50 States and the District of 
Columbia into 172 Economic Areas (``EAs''). Each EA consists of one 
or more economic nodes--metropolitan areas or similar areas that 
serve as centers of economic activity--and the surrounding counties 
that are economically related to the nodes. (Metropolitan areas 
include metropolitan statistical areas, primary metropolitan 
statistical areas, and New England county metropolitan areas.) 
Commuting patterns are the main factor used in determining the 
economic relationship among counties. The EA definition procedure 
requires that, as far as possible, each area include both the place 
of work and the place of residence of its labor force. See Final 
Redefinition of the BEA Economic Areas, 60 FR 13114 (March 10, 1995) 
(reducing number of EAs from 183 to 172). We adopted these 172 EAs 
as GWCS service areas and have listed them in 47 CFR Sec. 26.102(a). 
In addition, we defined three additional, EA-like, GWCS service 
areas: (1) Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands; (2) 
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands; and (3) American Samoa. 47 
CFR Sec. 26.102(b).
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iii. Spectrum for Each License
    11. We also request comment on the appropriate amount of spectrum 
to be provided for each WCS license. We specifically request comment on 
a range of spectrum options for WCS, that is whether 5, 10, 15 or 30 
MHz is the most suitable amount. We are particularly interested in 
commenters' views regarding the minimum bandwidth needed to permit WCS 
operators to compete effectively. For example, 5 MHz bandwidths would 
allow for paging, radiolocation, dispatch, or point-to-point backbone 
operations. Larger bandwidths, such as 10 to 15 MHz, would allow more 
direct competition with existing fixed and mobile service providers. 
Such an amount may also better support some multi-channel satellite 
DARS. Alternatively, a single 30 MHz license may offer the most 
effective approach for providing new two-way fixed or point-to-
multipoint uses such as interconnection with the Internet and other 
digital network services. Finally, we request comment on what size 
spectrum block could best support, in part or fully, the provision of 
fixed local loop services.
    12. We also seek comment on plans for licensing the WCS consistent 
with whatever minimum bandwidth should

[[Page 59051]]

be adopted. We specifically request comment, for example, on whether 
the WCS spectrum should be assigned on a paired or unpaired basis. 
Alternatively, we request comment on an approach where spectrum 
bandwidths or pairing of the spectrum are determined through the 
competitive bidding process. For example, the 30 MHz of spectrum could 
be divided into 5 MHz ``channels'' and the amount of spectrum and the 
location of the spectrum (i.e., contiguous or paired) for each WCS 
licensee would be determined through the auction process. We seek 
comment on all of these alternatives and we further invite commenting 
parties to suggest additional alternatives for both the amount of 
spectrum and the size of service areas for WCS licensees.
    13. Finally, we note that the Appropriations Act requires that the 
Commission conclude initial licensing of this spectrum and the 
collection of all bidding proceeds on an expedited basis. We believe 
that licensing the WCS spectrum for service to large areas, with 
relatively few licenses to be awarded, would speed the WCS licensing 
process and the collection of bidding proceeds, consistent with the 
requirements of the Appropriations Act. In addressing the relative 
merits of licensing the WCS spectrum on the basis of each of the 
spectrum and service area possibilities discussed above, we ask 
interested parties to keep in mind the total number of licenses to be 
auctioned and to comment on whether that number of licenses can 
reasonably be auctioned within the time periods established by the 
Appropriations Act.9 Whatever initial licensing approach is chosen 
for WCS, we propose to permit spectrum and service area aggregation 
through the auction process, e.g., we would permit parties to bid for 
more than one license. In addition, as discussed below, we propose to 
allow post-auction partitioning and disaggregation. We request comment 
on how the choice of the number of licensees and amount of spectrum 
provided could affect competition. Commenting parties should also 
address the extent to which the new communications services offered by 
WCS would compete with other new and existing communications services.
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    \9\ We note, however, that a licensing plan of six 5 MHz 
licenses for each of the 51 MTA-like service areas would require the 
auctioning of 306 licenses. Given our previous auction experience, 
such an auction may be difficult to complete within the timeframe 
required under the Appropriations Act and may require different 
auction methodology, such as oral outcry, to complete on a timely 
basis. We therefore generally will not entertain proposals that 
would require the auctioning of more than 306 WCS licenses.
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C. Use of Competitive Bidding

    14. The Appropriations Act directs the Commission to assign 
licenses to use the 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands by competitive 
bidding pursuant to Section 309(j) of the Communications Act. Section 
309(j) generally provides that auctions may be used to award licenses 
among mutually exclusive applicants where the principal use of such 
spectrum will involve, or is reasonably likely to involve, a 
subscription-based service. We believe that it is reasonable to 
conclude that, given the broad service allocations we are proposing and 
the manner in which we are proposing to license this spectrum, the 
principal use of the WCS will involve, or is reasonably likely to 
involve, the transmission or reception of communications signals to 
subscribers for compensation. We anticipate that the most likely uses 
of WCS will be to provide a mix of fixed and mobile services similar to 
other services currently operating on a subscription basis. Fixed (and 
radiolocation) services are expected to include services that are 
generally similar to the Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service 
(``MMDS''), the Location and Monitoring Service (``LMS''), Digital 
Termination Systems (``DTS''), Digital Electronic Messaging Service 
(``DEMS'') and certain of the services provided by Local Multipoint 
Distribution Service (``LMDS''). Mobile services are expected to 
include services generally similar to PCS, cellular, Specialized Mobile 
Radio (``SMR'') and paging. All of these services are currently 
provided to subscribers for compensation and we expect that the new WCS 
offerings would be provided on a similar basis. In this regard, even if 
a WCS licensee chooses to offer a satellite DARS service on that 
portion of the spectrum available for such use, we believe it likely 
that this service would also be offered on a subscription basis. We 
request comment on this assessment.
    15. As required by the Appropriations Act, we are proposing to 
assign licenses to use the WCS frequencies by competitive bidding in 
accordance with the principles set forth in Section 309(j) of the 
Communications Act. Section 309(j)(3)(A) states that the Commission 
shall seek to promote the development and rapid deployment of new 
technologies, products, and services for the benefit of the public, 
including those residing in rural areas, without administrative or 
judicial delays. In this regard, we believe that providing for large 
service areas, in conjunction with our broad, flexible allocation 
approach described above, will foster the development of the greatest 
range of new services and technologies. This approach will also permit 
these services and technologies to be deployed in a rapid and efficient 
manner to all areas of the nation, including rural areas.
    16. Section 309(j)(3)(B) states that the Commission shall seek to 
promote economic opportunity and competition and ensure that new and 
innovative technologies are readily accessible to the American people 
by avoiding excessive concentration of licenses and by disseminating 
licenses among a wide variety of applicants, including small 
businesses, rural telephone companies, and businesses owned by members 
of minority groups and women. Consistent with this objective, we are 
proposing to allow WCS licensees to disaggregate portions of their 
assigned spectrum and partition geographic service areas through a 
transfer of FCC license authority. In addition, licensees would be 
permitted to ``franchise'' portions of their spectrum and geographic 
service areas on a leased basis, where the WCS licensee would retain 
ultimate responsibility for meeting interference and other licensing 
requirements. We recently addressed the issues of geographic 
partitioning and spectrum disaggregation by Commercial Mobile Radio 
Service (``CMRS'') licensees, and noted that providing licensees with 
the flexibility to partition their geographic service areas will create 
smaller areas that can be licensed to small businesses, including those 
entities which may not have the resources to participate, successfully 
in spectrum auctions.10 In addition, partitioning may provide a 
funding source that will enable licensees to construct their systems 
and provide the latest in technological enhancements to the public. We 
believe that this ability to disaggregate and franchise the use of this 
spectrum may also help to promote the prompt introduction of new 
services to rural areas and facilitate participation in these services 
by a wide variety of parties including small businesses, rural 
telephone companies, and businesses owned by members of minority groups 
and women.
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    \10\ See Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum Disaggregation by 
Commercial Mobile Radio Services Licensees; Implementation of 
Section 257 of the Communications Act--Elimination of Market Entry 
Barriers (Elimination of Market Barriers), WT Docket No. 96-148, 
Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 61 FR 38693 (July 25, 1996).
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    17. Finally, we note that Section 309(j)(6)(F) of the 
Communications Act specifically states that the use of competitive 
bidding shall not be

[[Page 59052]]

construed to prohibit the Commission from issuing nationwide, regional, 
or local licenses. We also note that using large geographic service 
areas would simplify the licensing process, and help to ensure that the 
auction is completed in a timely manner, as required by the 
Appropriations Act. Accordingly, we believe that the WCS competitive 
bidding options described above fully comport with the requirements and 
intent of Section 3001 of the Appropriations Act and Section 309(j) of 
the Communications Act. We seek comment on this assessment.

D. Promote Efficient Spectrum Use

    18. The Appropriations Act states that in making these frequencies 
available for competitive bidding, the Commission shall seek to promote 
the most efficient use of the spectrum. In general, we believe that 
assigning frequencies through competitive bidding ensures that spectrum 
is made available to those who value it most highly and therefore are 
most likely to put it to its most economically efficient use. In 
addition, as indicated above, we are proposing that the WCS spectrum 
may be used to provide any type of fixed, mobile, radiolocation or 
satellite DARS services. We believe there are significant competitive 
alternatives for each of these types of services that will ensure that 
WCS licensees have incentives to operate in an efficient and effective 
manner. We therefore believe that there will be sufficient market 
incentives to promote the most efficient use of the 2305-2320 and 2345-
2360 MHz bands, as required by the Appropriations Act.

E. Public Safety Needs

    19. The Appropriations Act instructs the Commission to take into 
account the needs of public safety radio services in making the WCS 
spectrum available through competitive bidding. In addition, a letter 
from the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Commerce 
reiterates Congressional intent that we consider the needs of public 
safety in auctioning this spectrum. In particular, this letter suggests 
that the Commission, consistent with its obligation to promote the 
public interest, ``pay particular attention to how the needs of public 
safety as well as commercial applicants may best be met in determining 
how to design this auction.'' As Congress directed, we will consider 
the needs of public safety radio services in this proceeding by seeking 
comment on a broad array of options. We note that the Appropriations 
Act marks the first time that Congress has specifically directed the 
Commission to consider the needs of public safety radio services in 
connection with licensing a particular spectrum band. We invite 
interested parties, including public safety entities, to comment on how 
we could best effectuate the Congressional intent with regard to public 
safety needs related to this spectrum.
    20. The Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee recently issued a 
report (``PSWAC Final Report'') that analyzes the current and future 
communications resource and underlying spectrum needs of entities whose 
primary mission is public safety. The PSWAC Final Report makes several 
recommendations for satisfying the immediate and future needs of the 
public safety community through the year 2010 including (1) the 
provision of additional spectrum, (2) improved interoperability, (3) 
more flexible licensing policies, (4) increased sharing of spectral and 
other resources, (5) greater use of commercial services and (6) 
alternative methods for funding public safety communications. In 
fulfilling Congress's mandate to take into account the needs of public 
safety in auctioning this spectrum, we seek comment on which of these 
objectives can best be achieved through an auction of this spectrum. We 
ask commenters to make specific recommendations regarding how we can 
design auction and licensing rules that will benefit the public safety 
community consistent with the recommendations contained in the PSWAC 
Final Report.
    21. One of the needs identified by public safety is additional 
spectrum. We note that the PSWAC Final Report did not recommend this 
band for public safety use, but we also recognize that Congress had not 
directed the Commission to reallocate and auction this spectrum when 
the PSWAC Final Report was submitted. We therefore seek comment on 
whether we should consider an allocation of some portion of this 
spectrum to meet the needs of public safety providers. In light of the 
specific language of this statute, we seek comment on whether we have 
statutory authority to make such an allocation. Alternatively, should 
the Commission assign this spectrum with a public interest obligation 
to contribute towards the other needs identified by the public safety 
community? We seek comment on whether the Commission would have the 
authority to adopt such an approach.
    22. In addition, it may be that in the WCS spectrum some of the 
communications needs of public safety entities could be met by 
commercial systems serving the general public and possibly with some 
customized features for the exclusive use of public safety users. 
Public safety organizations may find it desirable to subscribe to a 
service offered by the commercial provider or lease capacity or 
spectrum from a commercial provider. We note that a key recommendation 
of the PSWAC Final Report suggested that ``a range of non-mission 
critical communications can be satisfied by commercial systems'' and 
concluded that: Commercial wireless systems, such as cellular, Personal 
Communications Services (PCS), mobile satellite, paging, data, and 
network applications, are evolving rapidly and may offer tangible and 
reasonable alternatives to the demand for additional spectrum to meet 
present and future Public Safety requirements.
    We seek comment on whether and how commercial services operating in 
this spectrum could address some of the communications needs of the 
public safety community. Specifically, what types of commercial 
services in this band would public safety entities find useful? Should 
the Commission take steps to encourage the use of the spectrum for such 
services? If so, what steps should it take? For example, should public 
safety needs be considered in determining the geographic scope and size 
of WCS licenses? If so, what size spectrum blocks or particular 
geographic license areas would be most conducive to the types of 
services the public safety community would find useful? Should the 
Commission offer bidding credits to commercial providers who propose to 
provide these types of services?

F. Service and Technical Rules

i. Eligibility
    23. We propose that there be no restrictions on eligibility for a 
WCS license, other than those foreign ownership restrictions set forth 
in Sections 310(a), 310(b)(1) and 310(b)(2) of the Communications Act. 
We believe that opening the WCS market to a wide range of applicants 
will permit and encourage entrepreneurial efforts to develop new 
technologies and services, while helping to ensure the highest and best 
use of this spectrum. We also believe that, given the relatively large 
amount of spectrum that is available to provide services similar to 
those that could be operated on the WCS spectrum, opening up 
eligibility to all applicants, in this instance, will not lead to 
concerns about excessive concentration of market power.\11\ On the

[[Page 59053]]

other hand, disallowing existing licensees or other entities from 
competing for a WCS license could deny the public the benefits of 
economies of scope and scale from the use of this spectrum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ In this regard, we also see no reason to preclude the 
pending satellite DARS applicants from participating in the 
competitive bidding process for the 2310-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz 
bands.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ii. CMRS Spectrum Cap
    24. The CMRS spectrum cap \12\ was adopted in 1994 to ``discourage 
anti-competitive behavior while at the same time maintaining incentives 
for innovation and efficiency.'' We were concerned that ``excessive 
aggregation [of spectrum] by any one of several CMRS licensees could 
reduce competition by precluding entry by other service providers and 
might thus confer excessive market power on incumbents.'' The spectrum 
cap is intended to promote a vigorous competitive market for the 
provision of commercial mobile radio services, and to ensure that each 
mobile service provider (i.e., cellular, PCS or SMR licensee) has the 
opportunity to obtain sufficient spectrum to compete effectively and 
that no single provider is able to preclude the provision of service by 
effective competitors or significantly reduce the number of competitors 
by aggregating spectrum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The spectrum cap currently provides that ``[n]o licensee in 
the broadband PCS, cellular, or SMR services (including all parties 
under common control) regulated as CMRS shall have an attributable 
interest in a total of more than 45 megahertz of licensed broadband 
PCS, cellular and SMR spectrum regulated as CMRS with significant 
overlap in any geographic area.'' See 47 CFR Sec. 20.6(a); see also 
Amendment of Parts 20 and 24 of the Commission's Rules--Broadband 
PCS Competitive Bidding and the Commercial Mobile Radio Service 
Spectrum Cap, WT Docket No. 96-59, Report and Order, 61 FR 33859 
(July 1, 1996) (maintaining the 45 megahertz CMRS spectrum cap and 
eliminating the 35 megahertz cellular/PCS spectrum cap and the 40 
megahertz PCS spectrum cap).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    25. We seek comment on whether WCS spectrum used to provide CMRS 
should count against the 45 megahertz spectrum cap that applies to 
certain CMRS licensees. We note that applying the spectrum cap could 
well exclude firms with the most experience and innovative technologies 
from participating in the auction and having the opportunity to use 
this spectrum to serve the public. On the other hand, if a CMRS 
provider with the maximum amount of spectrum permitted under our 
current CMRS spectrum cap were to acquire WCS spectrum, that provider 
possibly could gain a dominant position in the CMRS marketplace. We are 
interested in commenters' views on whether the WCS spectrum is likely 
to be used to provide CMRS services, and, if so, whether the current 
CMRS market is sufficiently competitive that the considerations that 
gave rise to adoption of the CMRS spectrum cap are not applicable to 
the WCS spectrum. Commenters should also address the potential costs of 
applying the cap to the WCS spectrum in terms of lost economies of 
scale and scope that might exist if CMRS licensees were allowed to 
acquire this spectrum.
    26. To the extent that commenters believe that the WCS spectrum 
will be used for CMRS services, we also seek comment on any alternative 
mechanisms that would be appropriate to protect against the 
concentration of control of licenses for CMRS spectrum, in order to 
ensure vigorous competition in wireless services and to implement the 
Communications Act.
iii. Disaggregation and Partitioning
    27. As indicated above, we propose to permit the WCS licensee or 
licensees to partition their service areas and to disaggregate their 
spectrum. We believe that such an approach would serve to promote the 
efficient use of the spectrum. It would also provide a means to 
overcome entry barriers through the creation of smaller licenses that 
require less capital, thereby facilitating greater participation by 
smaller entities such as small businesses, rural telephone companies 
and businesses owned by minorities and women.
    28. We therefore propose to permit WCS licensees to partition their 
service areas into smaller geographic service areas. We also propose to 
permit WCS licensees to disaggregate their spectrum into smaller 
blocks. Thus, a WCS licensee would be allowed to transfer the license 
for all or a portion of its spectrum in a given geographic area to 
another party. For the purposes of partitioning and disaggregation, we 
also propose to require that WCS systems be designed to not exceed a 
signal level of 47 dBuV/m at the licensee's service area boundary, 
unless the affected adjacent service area licensees have agreed to a 
different signal level. We request comment on what limits, if any, 
should be placed on a WCS licensee's ability to partition its service 
area and disaggregate its spectrum.
    29. We note that in WT Docket No. 96-148, we recently proposed to 
permit both geographic partitioning and spectrum disaggregation by CMRS 
licensees.13 In the case of broadband PCS service, we proposed to 
permit geographic partitioning along county lines and spectrum 
disaggregation to a minimum of one megahertz. In making this proposal, 
we tentatively concluded that requiring partitioning of licenses along 
county lines and spectrum disaggregation of not less than one megahertz 
would reduce the administrative burden on the Commission and minimize 
interference concerns among licensees. We also indicated that once an 
initial license is assigned, we believe that licensees should 
ordinarily be free to disaggregate their spectrum and to partition 
their service areas in order to operate within the parameters that they 
determine to be efficient. We request comment on whether such an 
approach should apply to the WCS spectrum. We also request comment on 
whether, if we were to establish initial nationwide WCS service areas, 
geographic partitioning should be limited to larger areas such as the 
51 MTA service areas. Such an approach might facilitate the relicensing 
of such areas if the licensee were, for example, to go out of business. 
This approach may also reduce the administrative burden on the 
Commission or for international coordination of WCS operations. As 
indicated above, we are also proposing to allow WCS licensees to 
franchise portions of their spectrum and geographic service areas on a 
leased basis. In such cases, we see no need to limit such operations to 
any minimum amount of spectrum or any particular geographic area since 
the WCS licensee would retain ultimate control and responsibility for 
all operations and there is no additional administrative burden on the 
Commission. We request comment on these proposals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum Disaggregation by 
Commercial Mobile Radio Service Licensees, WT Docket No. 96-148, 
Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 61 FR 38693 (July 25, 1996).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

iv. License Term
    30. The Communications Act allows the Commission to establish a 
license term of up to 10 years, except for broadcasting stations, which 
may have a license term of up to 8 years. Previously, the Commission 
established a 10 year license term for CMRS, but has used a 5 year 
license term for private services. For services in the 2305-2320 and 
2345-2360 MHz bands, we propose to establish a license term of 10 
years, with a renewal expectancy similar to that of PCS and cellular 
telephone licensees. We believe that this relatively long license term, 
combined with a high renewal expectancy, should help provide a stable 
regulatory environment that will be attractive to investors and, 
thereby, encourage development of this new frequency band. With respect 
to the renewal of a WCS license, we propose to consider the amount and 
type of service being provided by the licensee

[[Page 59054]]

in connection with its license renewal application. In this connection, 
we propose to require WCS licensees to submit a showing five years from 
license grant and ten years from license grant demonstrating the 
construction of facilities and the level of service being provided.
    31. In the event that a WCS license is partitioned or 
disaggregated, we propose that any partitionee/disaggregatee be 
authorized to hold its license for the remainder of the partitioner's/
disaggregator's original ten-year license term. We tentatively conclude 
that this approach is appropriate because a licensee, through 
partitioning, should not be able to confer greater rights than it was 
awarded under the terms of its license grant. Moreover, we tentatively 
conclude that this approach would be the simplest to administer. We 
also observe that this approach is similar to the partitioning 
provisions we recently adopted for the Multipoint Distribution Service 
14 and proposed for Broadband PCS. We solicit comment on this 
tentative conclusion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ See Amendment of Parts of Parts 21 and 74 of the 
Commission's Rules With Regard to Filing Procedures in the 
Multipoint Distribution Service and in the Instructional Television 
Fixed Service, MM Docket No. 94-131, Report and Order, 60 FR 36524 
(July 17, 1995).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

v. Regulatory Status
    32. The Communications Act applies differing requirements based on 
the type of service and the regulatory status of licensees, e.g., 
whether the service is common carrier or private. A WCS operator would 
be allowed to provide a variety or combination of fixed, mobile, 
satellite DARS, and radiolocation services. Therefore, we propose to 
rely on the applicant to identify the type of WCS service or services 
it will provide, with sufficient detail to enable the Commission to 
determine the applicant's regulatory status. This approach should allow 
us to carry out our responsibilities while imposing the least 
regulatory burden on the licensee. To clarify and simplify the initial 
regulatory status, we will presume that a WCS licensee is providing a 
CMRS service, which we believe will be a likely use of this spectrum, 
as discussed above. We delegate to the Wireless Telecommunications 
Bureau authority to develop forms appropriate to collect this data, and 
to monitor changes in licensee status. Moreover, we propose that the 
broadcasting-satellite service allocation be governed by the satellite 
DARS regulations currently under development in IB Docket No. 95-91. We 
request comment on these proposals.
vi. Out-of-Band Emission Limits
    33. Since WCS will operate in the 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz 
bands, we need to consider interference protection to the following 
adjacent operations: (1) Satellite DARS at 2320-2345 MHz, (2) 
Government Deep Space Network receivers at 2290-2300 MHz, and (3) 
Government and commercial telemetry above 2360 MHz.
    34. In order to provide protection to these adjacent operations, we 
propose that all emissions outside of the WCS bands of operation be 
attenuated below the maximum spectral power density (p) within the band 
of operation, as follows:

(1) For fixed operations, including radiolocation: By a factor not less 
than 43 + 10 log (p) dB on all frequencies between 2300 and 2305 MHz 
and above 2360 MHz; and not less than 70 + 10 log (p) dB on all 
frequencies below 2300 MHz and between 2320-2345 MHz band.
(2) For mobile operations, including radiolocation: By a factor not 
less than 43 + 10 log (p) dB on all frequencies between 2300 and 2305 
MHz, between 2320 and 2345 MHz, and above 2360 MHz; and not less than 
70 + 10 log (p) dB on all frequencies below 2300 MHz.
(3) For WCS satellite DARS operations: The limits set forth in Section 
25.202(f) of the Commission's rules apply.

    For fixed and mobile operations, including radiolocation, the above 
requirements are based on peak measurements using a resolution 
bandwidth of at least 1 MHz. In addition, to further protect operations 
in adjacent bands, we propose to require that the frequency stability 
of transmission within the 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands be 
sufficient to ensure that the fundamental emissions remain within the 
authorized frequency bands. We request comment on these proposed out-
of-band emissions limits.
    35. Finally, in order to protect Government Deep Space Network 
receivers at 2290-2300 MHz, we propose to prohibit use of the 2305-2310 
MHz band for airborne or space-to-Earth links. Further, we propose that 
WCS operations within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of 35 deg.20' North 
Latitude and 116 deg.53' West Longitude (coordinates of the Deep Space 
Network receive site) be subject to coordination. Alternatively, we 
request comment on whether it would be more appropriate to require less 
out-of-band attenuation in the case of mobile transmitters, (i.e., such 
transmitters would be subject to only the 43 + 10 log (p) dB 
requirement) but require that the coordination zone be extended to 120 
kilometers (75 miles). Parties should address the trade-offs with 
regard to lower mobile equipment costs and the additional coordination 
constraints imposed by this alternative.
vii. International Coordination
    36. Until international agreements are completed, WCS operations 
will be required to protect existing non-U.S. operations in the 2305-
2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands, and WCS operations in the border areas 
would be subject to coordination with those countries, as appropriate. 
In addition, satellite DARS operations on WCS spectrum would be subject 
to international satellite coordination procedures. With regard to this 
matter, parties should be aware that international coordination could 
be a complex and lengthy process and could vary significantly depending 
upon the types of WCS services that are to be provided. International 
coordination requirements, therefore, should be taken carefully into 
account in developing business plans for the provision of WCS. This is 
particularly important for parties contemplating the provisions of WCS 
in border areas or the provision of satellite DARS operations.15
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ Potential satellite DARS applicants should consult the 
letter from Satellite Engineering Branch dated February 16, 1996 to 
representatives of Satellite CD Radio and other DARS applicants and 
responses thereto that address coordination in these bands for 
satellite DARS. These documents are filed in IB Docket No. 95-91, 
GEN Docket 90-357, RM No. 8610, PP-24, PP-86, and PP-87.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

viii. RF Safety
    37. With regard to RF safety requirements, we propose to treat 
specific WCS services and devices, operating within the 2305-2320 MHz 
and 2345-2360 MHz bands, in a comparable manner to other services and 
devices that have similar operating characteristics. Sections 
1.1307(b), 2.1091, and 2.1093 of our rules list the services and 
devices for which an environmental evaluation must be performed. 
Accordingly, we propose that an environmental evaluation for RF 
exposure would be required for the following WCS operations: (1) 
Transmitting terrestrial stations in the satellite DARS service; (2) 
fixed operations, including base stations and radiolocation, that have 
an effective radiated power (``ERP'') greater than 2000 watts; and, (3) 
mobile and portable devices that have operating characteristics or 
functions similar to cellular, PCS or ``covered'' SMR services, i.e., 
operations that are typified by long periods of use or are 
interconnected to the public switched telephone network. We invite 
comment

[[Page 59055]]

on this proposal and request suggestions for alternatives that would 
ensure public safety with respect to exposure to RF radiation.

G. Auction Procedures

    38. In accordance with the Appropriations Act, and pursuant to the 
expedited schedule imposed thereby, we propose below an auction design 
and pre-auction procedures for the WCS service. Specifically, we 
propose that the method of competitive bidding be a simultaneous 
multiple round electronic auction (if more than one license is 
offered). We base this proposal on the need to quickly auction the WCS 
licenses and to promote the efficient use of the spectrum. The 
Appropriations Act requires the Commission to commence the WCS auction 
no later than April 15, 1997, and to conduct the auction in a manner 
that ensures that all proceeds are deposited into the United States 
Treasury no later than September 30, 1997.
i. Competitive Bidding Design
    39. We anticipate conducting the auction for the WCS in conformity 
with the general competitive bidding rules in Part 1, Subpart Q of the 
Commission's Rules, and substantially consistent with the auctions that 
have been employed in other wireless services. In the Second Report and 
Order, 59 FR 22980 (May 4, 1994), in the competitive bidding 
docket,16 we indicated that we would tailor the design of each 
auction to fit the characteristics of the licenses to be awarded, and 
we established criteria for selecting the auction design most 
appropriate for each particular service. In general, we indicated that 
the auction procedures chosen for each service should be those that 
will best promote the policy objectives identified by Congress.17 
We further concluded in the Second Report and Order that in most cases 
the goals set forth in Section 309(j) will be best achieved by 
designing auctions that award authorizations to the parties that value 
them most highly. As we explained, such parties are most likely to 
deploy new technologies and services rapidly, and to promote the 
development of competition for the provision of those and other 
services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications 
Act--Competitive Bidding, PP Docket No. 93-253, FCC 94-61, Second 
Report and Order, 59 FR 22980 (May 4, 1994) (``Second Report and 
Order'').
    \17\ Congress's objectives are, in this instance, set forth in 
two places: Section 309(j) of the Communications Act (47 U.S.C. 
Sec. 309(j)) and Section 3001 of the Appropriations Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    40. We propose to adopt the simultaneous multiple round competitive 
bidding design used in the PCS auctions for the WCS auction. Multiple 
round bidding should provide more information to bidders than single 
round bidding during the auction about the values of the licenses. With 
better information, bidders have less incentive to shade their bids 
downward in order to avoid the ``winner's curse,'' that is, the 
tendency for the winner to be the bidder who most overestimates the 
value of the item being auctioned. Finally, multiple round bidding is 
likely to be more fair than single round bidding. Every bidder has the 
opportunity to win if it is willing to pay the most for it. Thus, we 
tentatively conclude that multiple round bidding would be the best 
method of auctioning the WCS license or licenses, and we seek comment 
on this tentative conclusion.
    41. We also tentatively conclude that, if more than one WCS license 
is to be awarded, all WCS licenses should be awarded in a single 
simultaneous multiple round auction. A single simultaneous auction will 
facilitate any aggregation strategies that bidders may have, and it 
would provide the most information to bidders about license values at a 
time that they can best put that information to use. We seek comment on 
this tentative conclusion.
    42. If we adopt simultaneous multiple round bidding as our method 
of auctioning WCS licenses, we believe that bidding should be allowed 
only by electronic means. Though oral outcry auctions can be simple and 
rapid, it is not possible to auction multiple licenses simultaneously 
in an oral auction. Further, given the potentially large value of the 
WCS spectrum, we believe that an electronic multiple round auction is 
preferable because it would permit bidders time between rounds to 
confer with principals and reassess their valuation models and bidding 
strategies. This is especially important if more than one license is to 
be awarded. Thus, we tentatively conclude that electronic bidding would 
be the best method of submitting bids for this auction. In the event 
that we decide to use electronic multiple round bidding, we tentatively 
conclude that this auction should be conducted by remote bidding (by 
computer) without the option of telephonic bidding. We also propose, 
however, to reserve the discretion to conduct the WCS auction on-site 
should circumstances warrant. We seek comment on all of these proposals 
and tentative conclusions.
ii. Bidding Procedures
    43. We tentatively conclude that the WCS auction will follow the 
general competitive bidding procedures of Part 1, Subpart Q. We seek 
comment on this tentative conclusion.
    44. Minimum Opening Bid and Minimum Bid Increments. We also 
tentatively conclude to reserve the discretion to establish a minimum 
opening bid for the WCS license or licenses. A minimum opening bid 
would cause bidders to start bidding at a substantial fraction of the 
final price of the license or licenses, thus ensuring that the auction 
proceeds quickly and increasing the likelihood that the public receives 
fair market value for the license or licenses. We seek comment on this 
tentative conclusion. In addition, we ask interested parties to suggest 
the appropriate level of a minimum opening bid for the WCS license or 
licenses. We also tentatively conclude that the Wireless Bureau should 
be given discretion to establish, raise and lower minimum bid 
increments in the course of the auction. We seek comment on this 
approach.
    45. Tie Bids. Where a tie bid occurs, we tentatively conclude that 
the high bidder should be determined by the order in which the bids 
were received by the Commission. We request comment on this tentative 
conclusion.
iii. Procedural and Payment Issues
    46. Subpart Q of Part 1 of the Commission's rules also establishes 
procedural and payment rules for FCC auctions generally, and we 
tentatively conclude that, with certain modifications proposed below, 
these rules should apply to the WCS auction. We seek comment on this 
tentative conclusion.
    47. Pre-Auction Application Procedures. Applicants would be 
required to file a short-form application, FCC Form 175, prior to the 
auction. In addition, although we have previously allowed for both 
electronic and manual filing of such applications, we tentatively 
conclude that we should require electronic filing of all applications 
for this auction. We believe that electronic filing of applications 
would serve the best interests of auction participants as well as 
ensure that the WCS auction will be completed within the timeframe 
mandated under the Appropriations Act. We have developed user-friendly 
electronic filing software and Internet World Wide Web forms to give 
applicants the ability to easily and inexpensively file and review 
applications. This software helps applicants ensure the accuracy of 
their applications as they are filling them out, and enables them to 
avoid discovering errors and omissions after the applications are 
already filed.

[[Page 59056]]

Particularly in light of the legislative deadline of April 15, 1997, 
for commencement of this auction, we believe that requiring electronic 
filing would be helpful to applicants as well as the Commission. By 
shortening the time required for the Commission to process applications 
before the auction, electronic filing would increase the lead time 
available to applicants to pursue business plans and arrange necessary 
financing before the short-form deadline. We seek comment on these 
proposals and tentative conclusions.
    48. As part of the information provided in the short-form 
application, we propose to require that an applicant's electronic 
submission of FCC Form 175 include a certification that the applicant 
is not in default on any Commission licenses and that it is not 
delinquent on any extension of credit from any federal agency. In the 
Second Report and Order, we decided that we should require sufficient 
information on the short-form application to make a determination that 
``the application is not in violation of Commission rules and that 
applications not meeting those requirements may be dismissed prior to 
the competitive bidding.'' Part of this documentation includes 
certification that the bidder has the legal, technical, financial, and 
other qualifications to bid in the auction. A certification regarding 
defaulted licenses and delinquent payments to federal agencies would 
enable us to better evaluate the financial qualifications of potential 
bidders, because it would allow us to determine whether any bidder may 
later be subject to a monetary judgment or collection procedures that 
may impair its financial ability to provide service.
    49. Upfront Payment. The Part 1 rules require the submission of an 
upfront payment as a prerequisite to participation in spectrum 
auctions. We propose to set the amount of the WCS upfront payment based 
on the general formula we adopted in the Competitive Bidding Second 
Report and Order of $.02 per megahertz per population. We seek comment 
on this proposal. We also seek comment on alternative methods of 
establishing an upfront payment, and in particular, on how the 
Commission may estimate the value of the spectrum to be auctioned.
    50. We also propose to require that bidders deposit their upfront 
payments in our lock-box bank by wire transfer by a date to be 
announced by public notice. Although in the past we have permitted 
payment by cashier's check, we believe that requiring wire transfers 
would benefit bidders by streamlining and expediting the administration 
of the auction. Our experience has shown that verification of payments 
remitted to us by cashier's check is time-consuming and cumbersome and 
requires the allotment of extra processing time prior to the start of 
the auction. Permitting payment by cashier's check would require that 
upfront payments be made at an earlier point, which would decrease 
applicants' lead time to pursue business plans and arrange necessary 
financing before the start of the auction. In addition, we believe 
that, given the large number of financial institutions offering wire 
transfer services, a requirement that bidders remit their upfront 
payments by wire transfer would result in minimal, if any, extra cost 
to auction applicants. Such a cost is far outweighed by the benefit of 
speeding the auction process through quicker verification of payments. 
We seek comment on this tentative conclusion.
    51. Down Payment and Full Payment. We tentatively conclude that to 
help ensure that auction winners are able to pay the full amount of 
their bids requires every winning bidder in an auction to tender a down 
payment sufficient to bring its total amount on deposit with the 
Commission up to 20 percent of its winning bid. We therefore 
tentatively conclude that the winning bidder or bidders in the WCS 
auction should be required to submit a down payment equal to 20 percent 
of its winning bid within 10 business days after the issuance of a 
public notice announcing the winning bidder for the license. We seek 
comment on this tentative conclusion.
    52. If a winning bidder makes its down payment in a timely manner, 
we propose that it file an FCC Form 600 long-form application and 
follow the long-form application procedures in Section 1.2107. After 
reviewing the winning bidder's long-form application, and after 
verifying receipt of the winning bidder's 20 percent down payment, the 
Commission would announce the application's acceptance for filing, thus 
triggering the filing window for petitions to deny. Under Section 
3001(c) of the Appropriations Act, parties would have five days 
following public notice that an application was accepted for filing to 
file a petition to deny. Because Section 3001(c) provides for a period 
of seven (7) days following such public notice before any licenses may 
be awarded, we propose to allow three (3) days for parties to file a 
response to any petition to deny. If, pursuant to Section 309(d) of the 
Communications Act, the Commission dismissed or denied any and all 
petitions to deny, the Commission would announce by public notice that 
it is prepared to award the license, and the winning bidder would then 
have 10 business days to submit the balance of its winning bid. If the 
bidder does so, the license would be granted. If the bidder fails to 
submit the required down payment or the balance of the winning bid or 
the license is otherwise denied, we would assess a default payment as 
discussed below. We request comment on these proposals.
    53. Amendments and Modifications of Applications. To encourage 
maximum bidder participation, we propose to allow applicants to amend 
or modify their short-form applications as provided in Section 1.2105. 
In the broadband PCS context, we modified our rules to permit ownership 
changes that result when consortium investors drop out of bidding 
consortia, even if control of the consortium changes due to this 
restructuring.18 We propose to adopt the same exception to our 
rule prohibiting major amendments in the WCS auction. We seek comment 
on all of this proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ See Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications 
Act--Competitive Bidding, PP Docket No. 93-253, Fourth Memorandum 
Opinion and Order, 59 FR 53364 (October 24, 1994).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    54. Bid Withdrawal, Default and Disqualification. We tentatively 
conclude that the withdrawal, default, and disqualification rules for 
the WCS auction should be based upon the procedures established in our 
general competitive bidding rules. With regard to bids which are 
submitted in error, we propose to apply the guidelines which we 
recently fashioned to provide for relief from the bid withdrawal 
payment requirements under certain circumstances.19
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See Atlanta Trucking Associates, Inc. and MAP Wireless 
L.L.C. Requests to Waive Bid Withdrawal Payment Provisions, Order, 
61 FR 25807 (May 23, 1996), recon. pending. See also Georgia 
Independent PCS Corporation Request to Waive Bid Withdrawal Payment 
Provision, Order, 61 FR 25810 (May 23, 1996), app. rev. pending.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

iv. Regulatory Safeguards
    55. Anti-Collusion. In the Second Report and Order, we adopted 
anti-collusion rules in connection with competitive bidding, explaining 
that these rules, which are codified at 47 CFR Sec. 1.2105, would 
enhance the competitiveness of both the auction process and the post-
auction market structure.20 We propose to apply these

[[Page 59057]]

same rules to the auction of the WCS spectrum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ See 47 CFR Sec. 1.2105(c). See also Second Report and 
Order, 59 FR 22980 (May 23, 1996); Second Memorandum Opinion and 
Order, 59 FR 7245 (August 26, 1996); ``Wireless Telecommunications 
Bureau Clarifies Spectrum Auction Anti-Collusion Rules,'' Public 
Notice, 11 FCC Rcd 9645 (1995); ``Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 
Ponders Guidance on the Anti-Collusion Rule for D, E and F Block 
Bidders,'' Public Notice, 11 FCC Rcd 10134 (1996).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    56. Performance Requirements. In implementing auction procedures, 
the Commission is required under Section 309(j) of the Communications 
Act to include ``safeguards to protect the public interest in the use 
of the spectrum'' and performance requirements ``to ensure prompt 
delivery of service to rural areas, to prevent stockpiling or 
warehousing of spectrum by licensees or permittees, and to promote 
investment in and rapid deployment of new technologies and services.'' 
We have previously found that these objectives could be satisfied 
through build-out requirements (see, e.g., Implementation of Section 
309(j) of the Communications Act--Competitive Bidding, Fifth Report and 
Order, PP Docket No. 93-253, FCC 94-178, 9 FCC Rcd 5532, 5570 (1994); 
Amendment of Parts 21 and 74 of the Commission's Rules With Regard to 
Filing Procedures in the Multipoint Distribution Service and in the 
Instructional Television Fixed Service and Implementation of Section 
309(j) of the Communications Act--Competitive Bidding, Report and 
Order, PP Docket No. 93-253 and MM Docket No. 94-131, FCC 95-230, 10 
FCC Rcd 9589, 9659-60 (1995); Allocation of Spectrum Below 5 GHz 
Transferred from Federal Government Use, Second Report and Order, ET 
Docket No. 94-32, FCC 95-319, 11 FCC Rcd 624, 669-670 (1995)). We note, 
however, that we have never concluded that such requirements are 
mandated by Section 309(j).
    57. Build-out requirements may encourage the provision of service 
to areas that would not necessarily receive service expeditiously 
solely through the operation of market forces. In addition, build-out 
requirements may also prevent stockpiling or warehousing of spectrum by 
allowing licenses to be recovered and made available to entities more 
willing and able to provide service expeditiously. As is discussed 
below, however, we have some concern as to whether applying these 
requirements to the licenses of the WCS spectrum is the best way to 
address Congress's concerns.
    58. In this NPRM, we propose that a WCS licensee have the 
flexibility to offer a range of services, rather than being restricted 
to a particular use. See para. 9, supra. Given the broad range of 
services that may be deployed over WCS spectrum, it may be that 
performance requirements in the form of construction benchmarks are not 
necessary to meet Section 309(j)'s objectives regarding warehousing and 
rapid deployment. Where we allow flexible use and the ultimate use (or 
uses) of a license is uncertain, simply requiring construction by 
itself does not sufficiently encourage the licensee to deploy assets in 
any particular market (e.g., the voice or data market) or to provide 
any particular service. In addition, requiring construction by itself 
does not ensure that licenses are put to use in an efficient and 
procompetitive manner. Moreover, WCS construction requirements alone 
may not be effective to ensure the provision of service to rural areas.
    59. We also note that build-out requirements can be harmful because 
they might result in one of several forms of uneconomic construction: 
construction in geographic areas different than those that would be 
served in a competitive environment; deployment at a different rate 
than would occur in a competitive environment; or deployment of 
technology and equipment differing from that which competition would 
dictate. Further, strict build-out requirements might have the 
unintended consequence of causing firms to build first in urban areas 
where the mandatory benchmarks could be met most cheaply, and thus slow 
the development of service to rural areas. It may be difficult to 
devise construction requirements that avoid these negative effects.
    60. We believe we may be able to appropriately address the 
statutory concerns of preventing warehousing of spectrum and promoting 
rapid deployment of new technologies and services in other ways. First, 
the concern regarding warehousing may be addressed by awarding licenses 
through auctions. Auctioning itself provides economic incentives for 
licensees to utilize spectrum efficiently and to provide service 
rapidly. Second, the goal of promoting service to rural areas can be 
furthered by our proposal to allow partitioning and disaggregation. 
And, of course, the broad universal service policies of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996 will contribute substantially to 
addressing this objective as well.
    61. Commenters should address whether the auction and service rules 
that we are proposing here, together with our overall competition and 
universal service policies, constitute effective safeguards and 
performance requirements for WCS licensing, or whether specific 
construction requirements are also needed. If we decide not to impose 
construction requirements, we would reserve the right to review this 
policy in the future if we receive complaints related to Section 
309(j)(4)(B), or if our own monitoring initiatives or investigations 
indicate that a reassessment is warranted. Thus, we propose to further 
reserve the right to impose construction requirements on a WCS license 
or licenses in the future if evidence of actual competitive or rural 
service problems arises and if construction requirements can 
effectively ameliorate those problems. We seek comment on these 
proposals and tentative conclusions.
v. Treatment of Designated Entities
    62. Section 309(j) of the Communications Act provides that, when 
promulgating competitive bidding regulations, the Commission must 
``ensure that small businesses, rural telephone companies, and 
businesses owned by members of minority groups and women [commonly 
referred to as `designated entities'] are given the opportunity to 
participate in the provision of spectrum-based services.'' As noted 
above, our allocation proposal contemplates that a WCS licensee will 
have broad flexibility in determining the range of services it will 
offer, and that licenses will be issued for broad geographic areas. 
Commenters should address the extent to which potentially high capital 
costs for constructing WCS systems affect the advisability of adopting 
specific provisions applicable to the WCS auction. We note that our 
proposed partitioning and disaggregation rules for WCS licensing may 
provide designated entities with additional opportunities to 
participate in the provision of WCS service.
    63. The Appropriations Act requires that the Commission conduct the 
auction in a manner that ensures that all proceeds of the bidding are 
deposited in the Treasury no later than September 30, 1997. Because of 
the expedited procedures imposed by the Appropriations Act, an entity 
acquiring a WCS authorization must be prepared to make payment on its 
full bid amount quickly. Thus, we tentatively conclude that installment 
payment plans would be an inappropriate mechanism for encouraging 
designated entity participation in the WCS auction. We invite comment 
on this tentative conclusion and on how the Congressional intent 
concerning designated entities can be effectuated in connection with 
competitive bidding for WCS licenses. For example, would bidding 
credits be appropriate in this service? If so, should they be limited 
to small businesses or provided to all designated entities? In 
addition, to the

[[Page 59058]]

extent commenters suggest special provisions for small businesses, we 
also seek comment on the appropriate definition for small business. 
Additionally, should any special provisions be afforded to rural 
telephone companies? To the extent that commenters propose specific 
provisions to ensure the participation of minority and women-owned 
businesses, we also invite them to address how such provisions should 
be crafted to meet the relevant standards of judicial review (strict 
scrutiny for minorities and intermediate scrutiny for women).\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ See, for relevant standards of review, Adarand Constructors 
v. Pena, 115 S.Ct. 2097 (1995) (``[Racial] classifications are 
constitutional only if they are narrowly tailored measures that 
further compelling governmental interests''), and United States v. 
Virginia, 116 S.Ct. 2264 (June 26, 1996) (``Parties who seek to 
defend gender-based governmental action must demonstrate an 
`exceedingly persuasive justification' for that action'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

H. Other Administrative Matters

    64. We propose to update the entries for the 2300-2450 MHz band in 
the international table (columns 1 through 3 of the Table of Frequency 
Allocations (``Table''), 47 CFR 2.106) in accordance with the Final 
Acts of the 1995 World Radiocommunication Conference. Specifically, the 
following international footnotes would be re-numbered using the new 
``S'' numbering scheme: 664 (S5.282), 750B (S5.393), 751 
(S5.394),22 751A (S5.395), 751B (S5.396), and 752 (S5.150).23
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ In addition to being re-numbered, the text of footnote 751 
was modified. Specifically, aeronautical telemetry in the United 
States now has priority over other mobile service uses in the 2300-
2390 MHz band (that is, the 2300-2310 MHz band has been added to the 
existing restriction). (At the next competent conference, we intend 
to have the aeronautical telemetry restriction removed from the 
2300-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands in the United States.) In 
addition, aeronautical telemetry in Canada now has priority over 
other mobile service uses in the 2300-2483.5 MHz band (this is an 
entirely new restriction in Canada). Finally, Australia and Papua 
New Guinea have removed the aeronautical telemetry priority use 
restriction from the 2310-2390 MHz band.
    \23\ Footnote 752 was one of seven international footnotes that 
separately designated certain bands for industrial, scientific and 
medical applications. These international footnotes (534, 546, 548, 
707, 752, 806, and 881) were combined into a single international 
footnote, S5.150.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    65. We also propose to update the entries for the 2300-2310, 2400-
2402, and 2417-2450 MHz bands in the Government radio service 
allocations' column (column 4 of the Table) in accordance with the 
newly revised NTIA Manual. Specifically, all existing Government 
allocations and footnote references would be deleted from the 2300-2310 
and 2400-2402 MHz bands and reference to footnote G123 would be added 
to both bands. Footnote G123, which permits Government operations in 
2300-2310 and 2400-2402 MHz bands to continue only on a non-
interference basis to authorized non-Government operations and requires 
that Government operations not hinder the implementation of any non-
Government operation, would also be added to the list of Government 
footnotes. With regard to the 2417-2450 MHz band, the primary 
Government radiolocation service allocation would be downgraded to a 
secondary service and reference to footnote G124 would be added. 
Footnote G124, which states that the 2417-2450 MHz band has been 
reallocated to shared Government/non-Government use, would also be 
added to the list of Government footnotes.
    66. We also propose to update the entries for the 2305-2320 and 
2345-2360 MHz bands in the non-Government radio service allocations' 
column (column 5 of the Table) in accordance with our proposals herein. 
Specifically, we propose to add the fixed, mobile, and radiolocation 
services on a primary basis to the 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands, 
to delete the reference to footnote US253 from the 2300-2310 MHz band, 
to add a reference to footnote USxxx to the 2305-2310 MHz band, and to 
add a reference to footnote USyyy in the 2310-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz 
bands. Proposed United States footnote USxxx, which prohibits airborne 
and space-to-Earth transmissions in the 2305-2310 MHz band and which 
also requires that WCS operations in the 2305-2310 MHz band within 50 
kilometers of the Deep Space receive site located on Fort Irwin, 
California be coordinated, and proposed United States footnote USyyy, 
which provides for continued secondary aeronautical telemetry use of 
the 2310-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands, would be added to the list of 
United States footnotes. In addition, we propose to update the entries 
for the 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands in the rule part cross 
reference column (column 6 of the Table) to add a reference to the 
Wireless Communications Service.

List of Subjects

47 CFR Part 1

    Administrative practice and procedure.

47 CFR Part 2

    Radio.

47 CFR Part 27

    Administrative practice and procedure, Communications common 
carriers, Communications equipment, Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

47 CFR Part 97

    Radio.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Proposed Amendatory Text

    Parts 1, 2, 27, and 97 of title 47 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations are proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 1--PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

    1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 303, and 309(j) unless otherwise 
noted.

    2. In Sec. 1.1307, the text of paragraph (b)(1) preceding the table 
and the first sentence of paragraph (b)(2) are revised and new entries 
for Wireless Communications Service are added to Table 1 in paragraph 
(b)(1) following the entry for Satellite Communications (part 25) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 1.1307   Actions which may have a significant environmental 
effect, for which Environmental Assessments (EAs) must be prepared.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) The exposure limits in Sec. 1.1310 are generally applicable to 
all facilities, operations and transmitters regulated by the 
Commission. However, a determination of compliance with the exposure 
limits in Sec. 1.1310 (routine environmental evaluation), and 
preparation of an EA if the limits are exceeded, is necessary only for 
facilities, operations and transmitters that fall into the categories 
listed in Table 1 of this paragraph (b)(1), or those specified in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section. All other facilities, operations and 
transmitters are categorically excluded from making such studies or 
preparing an EA, except as indicated in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this 
section. For purposes of Table 1, ``rooftop'' means the roof or 
otherwise outside, topmost level or levels of a building structure that 
is occupied as a workplace or residence and where either workers or the 
general public may have access. The term ``power'' in column 2 of Table 
1 refers to total operating power of the transmitting operation in 
question in terms of effective radiated power (ERP), equivalent 
isotropically radiated power (EIRP), or peak envelope power (PEP), as 
defined in Sec. 2.1 of this chapter. For the case of the Cellular 
Radiotelephone

[[Page 59059]]

Service, subpart H of part 22 of this chapter; the Personal 
Communications Service, part 24 of this chapter, the Wireless 
Communications Service, part 27 of this chapter and covered Specialized 
Mobile Radio Service operations, part 90 of this chapter, the phrase 
``total power of all channels'' in column 2 of Table 1 means the sum of 
the ERP or EIRP of all co-located simultaneously operating transmitters 
of the facility. When applying the criteria of Table 1, radiation in 
all directions should be considered. For the case of transmitting 
facilities using sectorized transmitting antennas, applicants and 
licensees should apply the criteria to all transmitting channels in a 
given sector, noting that for a highly directional antenna there is 
relatively little contribution to ERP or EIRP summation for other 
directions.

  Table 1.--Transmitters, Facilities and Operations Subject to Routine  
                        Environmental Evaluation                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Service (Title 47 CFR Rule Part)          Evaluation required if
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
*                  *                  *                  *              
                  *                  *                  *               
Wireless Communications Service (for those        All included.         
 services with similar or identical operating                           
 characteristics or functions to the Digital                            
 Audio Radio Service) (part 27).                                        
Wireless Communications Service (for those        Total power of all    
 services with similar or identical operating      channels > 2000 W ERP
 characteristics or functions to the Multipoint    (3280 W EIRP)        
 Distribution Service, Cellular Radiotelephone                          
 Service, Personal Communications Service,                              
 Paging or Radiotelephone Service, or Paging                            
 Operations or ``covered'' Specialized Mobile                           
 Radio Services within the Private Land Mobile                          
 Radio Services) (part 27).                                             
                                                                        
*                  *                  *                  *              
                  *                  *                  *               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (2) Mobile and portable transmitting devices that operate in the 
Cellular Radiotelephone Service, the Personal Communications Services 
(PCS), the Wireless Communications Service, the Satellite 
Communications Services, the Maritime Services (ship earth stations 
only) covered Specialized Mobile Radio Service, providers authorized 
under subpart H of part 22, part 24, part 25, part 27, part 80, and 
part 90 of this chapter are subject to routine environmental evaluation 
for RF exposure prior to equipment authorization or use, as specified 
in Secs. 2.1091 and 2.1093 of this chapter.
*  *  *
* * * * *
    3. New paragraph (a)(9) is added to Sec. 1.2102 to read as follows:


Sec. 1.2102  Eligibility of applications for competitive bidding.

    (a) * * *
    (9) Wireless Communications Service (WCS) (see part 27 of this 
chapter).
* * * * *

PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL 
RULES AND REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Section 4, 302, 303, and 307 of the Communications 
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. sections 154, 302, 303 and 307, 
unless otherwise noted.

    2. Section 2.106, the Table of Frequency Allocations, is amended as 
follows:
    a. Remove the existing entries for 2300-2450 MHz.
    b. Add entries in numerical order for 2300-2450 MHz.
    c. In the International Footnotes under heading I., add footnotes 
S5.150, S5.282 , S5.393, S5.394, S5.395, and S5.396 in numerical order.
    d. In the International Footnotes under heading II., remove 
footnotes 750B, 751, 751A, and 751B.
    e. Remove United States footnote US253.
    f. Add United States footnotes US[xxx] and US[yyy].
    g. Revise United States footnotes US276 and US328.
    h. Revise Government footnote G2.
    i. Add Government footnotes G120, G123 and G124 in numerical order.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec. 2.106  Table of Frequency Allocations.

* * * * *

                                                                                                                
                 International table                        United States table          FCC use designators    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Non-                                 
    Region 1--        Region 2--        Region 3--       Government     Government       Rule       Special-use 
  allocation MHz    allocation MHz    allocation MHz     Allocation     Allocation     part(s)      frequencies 
                                                            MHz            MHz                                  
(1)                (2)               (3)               (4)            (5)            (6)          (7)           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        *                  *                 *               *              *             *              *      
2300-2305          2300-2305         2300-2305         2300-2305      2300-2305      ...........  ..............
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED                            Amateur        Amateur      ..............
                                                                                      (97)                      
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE                                                                     
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION                                                              
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur           .............  .............  ...........  ..............
                   S5.394                              G123           .............  ...........  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2305-2310          2305-2310         2305-2310         2305-2310      2305-2310                                 
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED                            FIXED          WIRELESS                   
                                                                                      COMMUNICAT                
                                                                                      IONS (27)                 
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE                           MOBILE         ...........                
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION                    RADIOLOCATION  Amateur                    
                                                                                      (97)                      
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur                          Amateur                                   
                   S5.394                              USxxx G123     USxxx          ...........  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 59060]]

                                                                                                                
2310-2320          2310-2320         2310-2320         2310-2320      2310-2320                                 
                                                                      BROADCASTING-  WIRELESS     Digital Audio 
                                                                       SATELLITE      COMMUNICAT   Radio        
                                                                       US327          IONS (27)    Services.    
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED             Fixed          FIXED                                     
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE            Mobile USyyy   MOBILE USyyy                              
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION     Radiolocation  RADIOLOCATION                             
                                                        G2                                                      
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur                                                                    
S5.395             S5.393 S5.394     S5.393 S5.396     S5.396 US327   S5.396 US328                              
                    S5.396                              US328 G120                                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2320-2345          2320-2345         2320-2345         2320-2345      2320-2345                   Digital Audio 
                                                                      BROADCASTING-                Radio        
                                                                       SATELLITE US                Services.    
                                                                       327                                      
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED             Fixed                                                    
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE            Mobile US276   Mobile US276                              
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION     Radiolocation                                            
                                                        G2                                                      
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur                                                                    
S5.395             S5.393 S5.394     S5.393 S5.396     S5.396 US327   S5.396 US328                              
                    S5.396                              US328 G120                                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2345-2360          2345-2360         2345-2360         2345-2360      2345-2360                   Digital Audio 
                                                                      BROADCASTING   WIRELESS      Radio        
                                                                       SATELLITE      COMMUNICAT   Services.    
                                                                       US327          IONS (27)                 
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED             Fixed          FIXED                                     
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE            Mobile USyyy   MOBILE USyyy                              
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION     Radiolocation  RADIOLOCATION  ...........  ..............
                                                        G2                                                      
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur                                                                    
S5.395             S5.393 S5.394     S5.393 S5.396     S5.396 US327   S5.396 US328   ...........  ..............
                    S5.396                              US328 G120                                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2360-2390          2360-2390         2360-2390         2360-2390      2360-2390      ...........  ..............
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED             MOBILE US276   MOBILE US276   ...........  ..............
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE            RADIOLOCATION  .............  ...........  ..............
                                                        G2                                                      
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION     Fixed          .............  ...........  ..............
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur                                                                    
                   S5.394                              G120           .............  ...........  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2390-2400          2390-2400         2390-2400         2390-2400      2390-2400      ...........  ..............
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED                            AMATEUR        AMATEUR      ..............
                                                                                      (97)                      
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE                                          Radio        ..............
                                                                                      Frequency                 
                                                                                      Devices                   
                                                                                      (15)                      
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION                                   ...........                
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur                                         ...........  ..............
                   S5.394                              G122           .............  ...........  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2400-2402          2400-2402         2400-2402         2400-2402      2400-2402      ...........  ..............
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED                            Amateur        Amateur      ..............
                                                                                      (97)                      
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE                                          ...........  ..............
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION                                   ...........                
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur                                         ...........  ..............
S5.150 S5.282      S5.150 S5.282     S5.150 S5.282     S5.150 G123    S5.150 S5.282                             
                    S5.394                                                                                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2402-2417          2402-2417         2402-2417         2402-2417      2402-2417      ...........  ..............
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED                            AMATEUR        AMATEUR      ..............
                                                                                      (97)                      
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE                                          Radio        ..............
                                                                                      Frequency                 
                                                                                      Devices                   
                                                                                      (15)                      
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION                                   ...........  ..............
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur                                         ...........  ..............
S5.150 S5.282      S5.150 S5.282     S5.150 S5.282     S5.150 G122    S5.150 S5.282                             
                    S5.394                                                                                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2417-2450          2417-2450         2417-2450         2417-2450      2417-2450                                 
FIXED              FIXED             FIXED             Radiolocation  Amateur        Amateur      ..............
                                                        G2                            (97)                      
MOBILE             MOBILE            MOBILE            .............  .............  ...........  ..............
Amateur            RADIOLOCATION     RADIOLOCATION                                   ...........                
Radiolocation      Amateur           Amateur                                         ...........  ..............
S5.150 S5.282      S5.150 S5.282     S5.150 S5.282     S5.150 S5.282  S5.150 S5.282                             
                    S5.394                              G124                                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        *                  *                 *               *              *             *              *      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 59061]]

International Footnotes

* * * * *
    I. New ``S'' Numbering Scheme
* * * * *
    S5.150  The following bands:

13533-13567 kHz (centre frequency 13560 kHz),
26957-27283 kHz (centre frequency 27120 kHz),
40.66-40.70 MHz (centre frequency 40.68 MHz),
902-928 MHz in Region 2 (centre frequency 915 MHz),
2400-2500 MHz (centre frequency 2450 MHz),
5725-5875 MHz (centre frequency 5800 MHz), and
24-24.25 GHz (centre frequency 24.125 GHz)

are also designated for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) 
applications. Radiocommunication services operating within these 
bands must accept harmful interference which may be caused by these 
applications. ISM equipment operating in these bands is subject to 
the provisions of No. 1815/S15.13.
    S5.282  In the bands 435-438 MHz, 1260-1270 MHz, 2400-2450 MHz, 
3400-3410 MHz (in Regions 2 and 3 only) and 5650-5670 MHz, the 
amateur-satellite service may operate subject to not causing harmful 
interference to other services operating in accordance with the 
Table (see No. S5.43). Administrations authorizing such use shall 
ensure that any harmful interference caused by emissions from a 
station in the amateur-satellite service is immediately eliminated 
in accordance with the provisions of No. 2741/S25.11. The use of the 
bands 1260-1270 MHz and 5650-5670 MHz by the amateur-satellite 
service is limited to the Earth-to-space direction.
* * * * *
    S5.393  Additional allocation: in the United States and India, 
the band 2310-2360 MHz is also allocated to the broadcasting-
satellite service (sound) and complementary terrestrial sound 
broadcasting service on a primary basis. Such use is limited to 
digital audio broadcasting and is subject to the provisions of 
Resolution 528 (WARC-92).
    S5.394  In the United States, the use of the band 2300-2390 MHz 
by the aeronautical mobile service for telemetry has priority over 
other uses by the mobile services. In Canada, the use of the band 
2300-2483.5 MHz by the aeronautical mobile service for telemetry has 
priority over other uses by the mobile services.
    S5.395  In France, the use of the band 2310-2360 MHz by the 
aeronautical mobile service for telemetry has priority over other 
uses by the mobile service.
    S5.396  Space stations of the broadcasting-satellite service in 
the band 2310-2360 MHz operating in accordance with No. S5.393 that 
may affect the services to which this band is allocated in other 
countries shall be coordinated and notified in accordance with 
Resolution 33. Complementary terrestrial broadcasting stations shall 
be subject to bilateral coordination with neighboring countries 
prior to their bringing into use.
* * * * *

United States (US) Footnotes

* * * * *
    US276   Except as otherwise provided for herein, use of the 
bands 2320-2345 and 2360-2390 MHz by the mobile service is limited 
to aeronautical telemetering and associated telecommand operations 
for flight testing of manned or unmanned aircraft, missiles or major 
components thereof. The following four frequencies are shared on a 
co-equal basis for telemetering and associated telecommand 
operations of expendable and re-usable launch vehicles whether or 
not such operations involve flight testing: 2332.5, 2364.5, 2370.5, 
and 2382.5 MHz. All other mobile telemetering uses shall be 
secondary to the above uses.
* * * * *
    US328  In the band 2320-2345 MHz, the mobile and radiolocation 
services are allocated on a primary basis until 1 January 1997 or 
until broadcasting-satellite (sound) service has been brought into 
use in such a manner as to affect or be affected by the mobile and 
radiolocation services in those service areas, whichever is later. 
The broadcasting-satellite (sound) service during implementation 
should also take cognizance of the expendable and reusable launch 
vehicle frequencies 2312.5, 2332.5, and 2352.5 MHz, to minimize the 
impact on this mobile service use to the extent possible.
* * * * *
    US[xxx] In the 2305-2310 MHz band, airborne and space-to-Earth 
operations are prohibited. Additionally, in the 2305-2310 MHz band, 
Wireless Communications Service operations within 50 kilometers of 
35 deg.20' North Latitude and 116 deg.53' West Longitude shall be 
coordinated on a case-by-case basis through the frequency assignment 
subcommittee in order to minimize harmful interference to NASA's 
Goldstone Deep Space facility.
    US[yyy] The bands 2310-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz are also available 
for aeronautical telemetering and associated telecommand operations 
for flight testing of manned or unmanned aircraft, missiles or major 
components thereof on a secondary basis to the Wireless 
Communications Service. The following two frequencies are shared on 
a co-equal basis for telemetering and associated telecommand 
operations of expendable and re-usable launch vehicles whether or 
not such operations involve flight testing: 2312.5 and 2352.5 MHz. 
Other mobile telemetering uses may be provided on a non-interference 
basis to the above uses.
 * * * * *

Government Footnotes

* * * * *
    G2  In the bands 216-225, 420-450 (except as provided by US217), 
890-902, 928-942, 1300-1400, 2310-2390, 2417-2450, 2700-2900, 5650-
5925, and 9000-9200 MHz, the Government radiolocation is limited to 
the military services.
* * * * *
    G120  Development of airborne primary radars in the band 2310-
2390 MHz with peak transmitter power in excess of 250 watts for use 
in the United States is not permitted.
* * * * *
    G123  The bands 2300-2310 and 2400-2402 MHz were identified for 
reallocation, effective August 10, 1995, for exclusive non-
Government use under Title VI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
Act of 1993. Effective August 10, 1995, any Government operations in 
these bands are on a non-interference basis to authorized non-
Government operations and shall not hinder the implementation of any 
non-Government operations.
    G124  The band 2417-2450 MHz was identified for reallocation, 
effective August 10, 1995, for mixed Government and non-Government 
use under Title VI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993.

    3. Section 2.1091 is amended by revising the first sentence in 
paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec. 2.1091   Radiofrequency radiation exposure evaluation: mobile and 
unlicensed devices.

* * * * *
    (c) Mobile devices that operate in the Cellular Radiotelephone 
Service, the Personal Communications Services, the Wireless 
Communications Service, the Satellite Communications Services, the 
Maritime Services and the Specialized Mobile Radio Service authorized 
under subpart H of part 22 of this chapter, part 24 of this chapter, 
part 25 of this chapter, part 27 of this chapter (only mobile devices 
with similar or identical operating characteristics to those authorized 
under subpart H of part 22, part 24, and ``covered'' SMR under part 90 
of this chapter), part 80 of this chapter (ship earth station devices 
only) and part 90 of this chapter (``covered'' SMR devices only, as 
defined in the note to Table 1 of Sec. 1.1307(b)(1) of this chapter), 
are subject to routine environmental evaluation for RF exposure prior 
to equipment authorization or use if their effective radiated power 
(ERP) is 1.5 watts or more. * * *
* * * * *
    4. Section 2.1093 is amended by revising the first sentence of 
paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec. 2.1093   Radiofrequency radiation exposure evaluation: portable 
devices.

* * * * *
    (c) Portable devices that operate in the Cellular Radiotelephone 
Service, the Personal Communications Services, the Wireless 
Communications Service, the Satellite Communications services, the 
Maritime Services and the Specialized Mobile Radio Service authorized 
under subpart H of part 22 of this chapter, part 24 of this chapter, 
part 25 of this chapter, part 27 of this chapter (only portable devices 
with similar or identical operating characteristics to those authorized 
under subpart H of

[[Page 59062]]

part 22, part 24, and ``covered'' SMR under part 90 of this chapter), 
part 80 of this chapter (ship earth station devices only), part 90 of 
this chapter (``covered'' SMR devices only, as defined in the note to 
Table 1 of Sec. 1.1307(b)(1) of this chapter), and portable unlicensed 
personal communication service and millimeter wave devices authorized 
under Sec. 15.253, Sec. 15.255 or subpart D of part 15 of this chapter 
are subject to routine environmental evaluation for RF exposure prior 
to equipment authorization or use. * * *
* * * * *
    5. A new part 27 is added to read as follows:

PART 27--WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE

Subpart A--General Information

Sec.
27.1  Basis and purpose.
27.2  Permissible communications.
27.3  Other applicable rule parts.
27.4  Terms and definitions.

Subpart B--Applications and Licenses

27.11  Initial authorization.
27.12  Eligibility.
27.13  License period.
27.14  Criteria for comparative renewal proceedings.
27.15  Geographic partitioning and spectrum disaggregation.
27.16  Franchising

Subpart C--Technical Standards

27.51  Equipment authorization.
27.52  RF safety.
27.53  Emission limits.
27.54  Frequency stability.
27.55  Field strength limits.
27.56  Antenna structures; air navigation safety.
27.57  International coordination.

Subpart D--Competitive Bidding Procedures for WCS

27.201  WCS subject to competitive bidding.
27.202  Competitive bidding mechanisms.
27.203  Withdrawal, default, and disqualification payments.
27.204  Bidding application and certification procedures.
27.205  Submission of upfront payments.
27.206  Submission of down payment and filing of long-form 
applications.
27.207  Procedures for filing petitions to deny against WCS long-
form applications.

Subpart E--Application, Licensing, and Processing Rules for WCS

27.301  Authorization required.
27.302  Eligibility.
27.303  Formal and informal applications.
27.304  Filing of WCS applications, fees, and numbers of copies.
27.305  Standard application forms and permissive changes or minor 
modifications for the Wireless Communications Service.
27.306  Miscellaneous forms.
27.307  General application requirements.
27.308  Technical content of applications; maintenance of list of 
station locations.
27.310  Waiver of rules.
27.311  Defective applications.
27.312  Inconsistent or conflicting applications.
27.313  Amendment of applications for Wireless Communications 
Service (other than applications filed on FCC Form 175).
27.314  Application for temporary authorizations.
27.315  Receipt of application; applications in the Wireless 
Communications Service filed on FCC Form 175 and other applications 
in the WCS Service.
27.316  Public notice period.
27.317  Dismissal and return of applications.
27.318  Ownership changes and agreements to amend or dismiss 
applications or pleadings.
27.319  Opposition to applications.
27.320  Mutually exclusive applications.
27.321  Consideration of applications.
27.322  Post-auction divestitures.
27.323  Transfer of control or assignment of station authorization.
27.324  Termination of authorization.

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309 and 332.

Subpart A--General Information


Sec. 27.1  Basis and purpose.

    This section contains the statutory basis for the rules in this 
part and provides the purpose for which this part is issued.
    (a) Basis. The rules for the Wireless Communications Service (WCS) 
in this part are promulgated under the provisions of the Communications 
Act of 1934, as amended, that vest authority in the Federal 
Communications Commission to regulate radio transmission and to issue 
licenses for radio stations.
    (b) Purpose. This part states the conditions under which the 2305-
2320 MHz and 2345-2360 MHz bands are made available and licensed for 
the provision of WCS.
    (c) Scope. The rules in this part apply only to stations authorized 
under this part.


Sec. 27.2  Permissible communications.

    Subject to the rules in this part, fixed, mobile and radiolocation 
services may be provided using the 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands. 
In addition, satellite digital audio radio service (DARS) may be 
provided using the 2310-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands. Satellite DARS 
service shall be provided in manner consistent with part 25 of this 
chapter.


Sec. 27.3  Other applicable rule parts.

    Other FCC rule parts in this chapter applicable to the Wireless 
Communications Service include the following:
    (a) Part 0. Part 0 of this chapter describes the Commission's 
organization and delegations of authority. Part 0 of this chapter also 
lists available Commission publications, standards and procedures for 
access to Commission records, and location of Commission Field Offices.
    (b) Part 1. Part 1 of this chapter includes rules of practice and 
procedure for license applications, adjudicatory proceedings, 
procedures for reconsideration and review of the Commission's actions; 
provisions concerning violation notices and forfeiture proceedings; 
competitive bidding procedures, and the environmental requirements 
that, if applicable, must be complied with prior to the initiation of 
construction.
    (c) Part 2. Part 2 of this chapter contains the Table of Frequency 
Allocations and special requirements in international regulations, 
recommendations, agreements, and treaties. Part 2 of this chapter also 
contains standards and procedures concerning the marketing and 
importation of radio frequency devices, and for obtaining equipment 
authorization.
    (d) Part 5. Part 5 of this chapter contains rules prescribing the 
manner in which parts of the radio frequency spectrum may be made 
available for experimentation.
    (e) Part 17. Part 17 of this chapter contains requirements for 
construction, marking and lighting of antenna towers.
    (f) Part 25. Part 25 of this chapter contains the requirements for 
satellite communications, including the satellite DARS.
    (g) Part 68. Part 68 of this chapter contains technical standards 
for connection of terminal equipment to the telephone network.


Sec. 27.4  Terms and definitions.

    Assigned frequency. The center of the frequency band assigned to a 
station.
    Authorized bandwidth. The maximum width of the band of frequencies 
permitted to be used by a station. This is normally considered to be 
the necessary or occupied bandwidth, whichever is greater.
    Average terrain. The average elevation of terrain between 3 and 16 
kilometers from the antenna site.
    Effective Radiated Power (e.r.p.) (in a given direction). The 
product of the power supplied to the antenna and its

[[Page 59063]]

gain relative to a half-wave dipole in a given direction.
    Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (e.i.r.p.). The product of 
the power supplied to the antenna and the antenna gain in a given 
direction relative to an isotropic antenna.
    Fixed Service. A radio communication service between specified 
fixed points.
    Fixed Station. A station in the fixed service.
    Land Mobile Service. A mobile service between base stations and 
land mobile stations, or between land mobile stations.
    Land Mobile Station. A mobile station in the land mobile service 
capable of surface movement within the geographic limits of a country 
or continent.
    Land Station. A station in the mobile service not intended to be 
used while in motion.
    Mobile Service. A radio communication service between mobile and 
land stations, or between mobile stations.
    Mobile Station. A station in the mobile service intended to be used 
while in motion or during halts at unspecified points.
    National Geodetic Reference System (NGRS). The name given to all 
geodetic control data contained in the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) 
data base. (Source: National Geodetic Survey, U.S. Department of 
Commerce)
    Radiodetermination. The determination of the position, velocity 
and/or other characteristics of an object, or the obtaining of 
information relating to these parameters, by means of the propagation 
properties of radio waves.
    Radiolocation. Radiodetermination used for purposes other than 
those of radionavigation.
    Radionavigation. Radiodetermination used for the purpose of 
navigation, including obstruction warning.
    Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (``satellite DARS''). A 
radiocommunication service in which compact disc quality programming is 
digitally transmitted by one or more space stations.
    Wireless Communications Service. A radiocommunication service that 
encompasses fixed, mobile, satellite DARS, and radiolocation services.

Subpart B--Applications and Licenses


Sec. 27.11  Initial authorization.

    (a) An applicant must file an application for an initial WCS 
authorization.
    (b) The initial WCS authorizations shall be granted for [XX] 
megahertz of spectrum and shall be on a [geographical basis to be 
determined].
    (c) The initial WCS authorizations shall be a blanket license. 
Applications for individual sites are not required and will not be 
accepted.


Sec. 27.12  Eligibility.

    Any entity, other than those precluded by 310 of the Communications 
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 310, is eligible to hold a license 
under this part.


Sec. 27.13  License period.

    Licenses shall be granted for ten year terms from the date of 
original issuance or renewal.


Sec. 27.14  Criteria for comparative renewal proceedings.

    (a) A renewal applicant involved in a comparative renewal 
proceeding shall receive a preference, commonly referred to as a 
renewal expectancy, which is the most important comparative factor to 
be considered in the proceeding, if its past record for the relevant 
license period demonstrates that the renewal applicant:
    (1) Has provided ``substantial'' service during its past license 
term. In addition, the communications provided must be sound, 
favorable, and substantially above a level of mediocre service which 
might just minimally warrant renewal; and
    (2) Has substantially complied with applicable Commission rules, 
policies and the Communications Act.
    (b) At five and ten years from the date of original issuance or 
renewal, the licensee shall report to the Commission what it has built 
and the percentage of its service area population that it serves. The 
Commission shall take these reports into account during its 
consideration of the renewal application.


Sec. 27.15  Geographic partitioning and spectrum disaggregation.

    (a) Geographic partitioning and spectrum disaggregation are 
permitted without restriction.
    (b) In the event that the WCS license is partitioned or 
disaggregated, any partitionee/disaggregatee shall be authorized to 
hold its license for the remainder of the partitioner's/disaggregator's 
original ten-year license term.


Sec. 27.16  Franchising.

    In the event that the WCS licensee franchises portions of its 
spectrum and geographic service area on a leased basis, the WCS 
licensee shall retain ultimate responsibility for meeting interference 
and other licensing requirements.

Subpart C--Technical Standards


Sec. 27.51  Equipment authorization.

    (a) Each transmitter utilized for operation under this part and 
each transmitter marketed, as set forth in Sec. 2.803 of this chapter, 
must be of a type that has been authorized by the Commission under its 
type acceptance procedure.
    (b) The Commission periodically publishes a list of type accepted 
equipment, entitled ``Radio Equipment List, Equipment Accepted for 
Licensing.'' Copies of this list are available for public reference at 
the Commission's offices in Washington, D.C., at each of its field 
offices, and may be ordered from its copy contractor.
    (c) Any manufacturer of radio transmitting equipment to be used in 
these services may request equipment authorization following the 
procedures set forth in subpart J of part 2 of this chapter. Equipment 
authorization for an individual transmitter may be requested by an 
applicant for a station authorization by following the procedures set 
forth in part 2 of this chapter. Such equipment if approved or accepted 
will not normally be included in the Commission's Radio Equipment List 
but will be individually enumerated on the station authorization.


Sec. 27.52  RF safety.

    Licensees and manufacturers are subject to the radio frequency 
radiation exposure requirements specified in Secs. 1.1307(b), 2.1091, 
and 2.1093 of this chapter, as appropriate. Applications for equipment 
authorization of mobile or portable devices operating under this 
section must contain a statement confirming compliance with these 
requirements for both fundamental emissions and unwanted emissions. 
Technical information showing the basis for this statement must be 
submitted to the Commission upon request.


Sec. 27.53  Emission limits.

    (a) The peak power of any emission outside the licensee's bands of 
operation shall be attenuated below the maximum peak spectral power 
density (p) within the band of operation by the following amounts:
    (1) For fixed operations: By a factor not less than 43 + 10 log (p) 
dB on all frequencies between 2300 and 2305 MHz and above 2360 MHz; and 
not less than 70 + 10 log (p) dB on all frequencies below 2300 MHz and 
between 2320-2345 MHz band;
    (2) For mobile operations: By a factor not less than 43 + 10 log 
(p) dB on all frequencies between 2300 and 2305

[[Page 59064]]

MHz, between 2320 and 2345 MHz, and above 2360 MHz; and not less than 
70 + 10 log (p) dB on all frequencies below 2300 MHz;
    (3) For the purposes of this section, radiolocation shall be 
classified as either a fixed or mobile service, depending upon the 
application; and
    (4) Compliance with these provisions is based on the use of 
measurement instrumentation employing a resolution bandwidth of 1 MHz 
or greater. However, in the 1 MHz bands immediately outside and 
adjacent to the frequency bands of operation a smaller resolution 
bandwidth of at least one percent of the emission bandwidth of the 
fundamental emission of the transmitter may be employed, provided the 
measured energy is integrated to provide the total energy in a 1 MHz 
bandwidth.
    (b) For WCS satellite DARS operations: The limits set forth in 
Sec. 25.202(f) of this chapter apply.
    (c) When measuring the emission limits, the nominal carrier 
frequency shall be adjusted as close to the edges, both upper and 
lower, of the license's bands of operation as the design permits.
    (d) When an emission outside of the authorized bandwidth causes 
harmful interference, the Commission may, at its discretion, require 
greater attenuation than specified in this section.


Sec. 27.54  Frequency stability.

    The frequency stability shall be sufficient to ensure that the 
fundamental emissions stay within the authorized bands of operation.


Sec. 27.55  Field strength limits.

    If geographic partitioning is employed, the predicted or measured 
median field strength at any location on the border of the WCS service 
area shall not exceed 47 dBuV/m unless the parties agree to a higher 
field strength.


Sec. 27.56  Antenna structures; air navigation safety.

    A licensee that owns its antenna structures must not allow these 
antenna structures to become a hazard to air navigation. In general, 
antenna structure owners are responsible for registering antenna 
structures with the FCC if required by part 17 of this chapter, and for 
installing and maintaining any required marking and lighting. However, 
in the event of default of this responsibility by an antenna structure 
owner, the FCC permittee or licensee authorized to use an affected 
antenna structure will be held responsible by the FCC for ensuring that 
the antenna structure continues to meet the requirements of part 17 of 
this chapter. See Sec. 17.6 of this chapter.
    (a) Marking and lighting. Antenna structures must be marked, 
lighted and maintained in accordance with part 17 of this chapter and 
all applicable rules and requirements of the Federal Aviation 
Administration.
    (b) Maintenance contracts. Antenna structure owners (or licensees 
and permittees, in the event of default by an antenna structure owner) 
may enter into contracts with other entities to monitor and carry out 
necessary maintenance of antenna structures. Antenna structure owners 
(or licensees and permittees, in the event of default by an antenna 
structure owner) that make such contractual arrangements continue to be 
responsible for the maintenance of antenna structures in regard to air 
navigation safety.


Sec. 27.57  International coordination.

    WCS operations shall protect existing Canadian and Mexican 
operations in the 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands. WCS operations 
along the US/Canadian and US/Mexican border areas shall be subject to 
coordination, as appropriate. In addition, satellite DARS operations on 
WCS spectrum shall be subject to international coordination procedures.

Subpart D--Competitive Bidding Procedures for WCS


Sec. 27.201  WCS subject to competitive bidding.

    Mutually exclusive initial applications to provide WCS service are 
subject to competitive bidding procedures. In addition to the rules set 
forth in this subpart, the following competitive bidding rules found in 
part 1, subpart Q, of this chapter shall apply to WCS: Secs. 1.2101, 
1.2102, 1.2103, 1.2104(a) through (f), (h) and (i), 1.2105(b) through 
(c), 1.2109 and 1.2111 of this chapter.


Sec. 27.202  Competitive bidding mechanisms.

    In addition to the provisions of Sec. 1.2104(a) through (f), (h) 
and (i), the following provisions will apply to WCS:
    (a) Tie bids. Where a tie bid occurs, the high bidder will be 
determined by the order in which the bids were received by the 
Commission.
    (b) Maximum bid increments. The Commission may, by announcement 
before or during the auction, require maximum bid increments in dollar 
or percentage terms.


Sec. 27.203  Withdrawal, default and disqualification payments.

    When the Commission conducts a simultaneous multiple round auction 
pursuant to section 27.202, the Commission will impose payments on 
bidders who withdraw high bids during the course of an auction, or who 
default on payments due after an auction closes or who are 
disqualified.
    (a) Bid withdrawal prior to close of auction. A bidder who 
withdraws a high bid during the course of an auction will be subject to 
a payment equal to the difference between the amount bid and the amount 
of the winning bid the next time the license is offered by the 
Commission. No withdrawal payment would be assessed if the subsequent 
winning bid exceeds the withdrawn bid. This payment amount will be 
deducted from any upfront payments or down payments that the 
withdrawing bidder has deposited with the Commission.
    (b) Default or disqualification after close of auction. If a high 
bidder defaults or is disqualified after the close of such an auction, 
the defaulting bidder will be subject to the payment in paragraph (a) 
of this section plus an additional payment equal to 3 percent of the 
subsequent winning bid. If the subsequent winning bid exceeds the 
defaulting bidder's bid amount, the 3 percent payment will be 
calculated based on the defaulting bidder's bid amount. These amounts 
will be deducted from any upfront payments or down payments that the 
defaulting or disqualified bidder has deposited with the Commission.
    (c) Erroneous bids. If at any point during an auction an erroneous 
bid is withdrawn in the same round in which it was submitted, the bid 
withdrawal payment will be the greater of:
    (1) The minimum bid increment for that license and round; and
    (2) The standard bid withdrawal payment, as defined in paragraph 
(a) of this section, calculated as if the bidder had made the minimum 
accepted bid. If an erroneous bid is withdrawn in the round immediately 
following the round in which it was submitted, and the auction is in 
Stage I or Stage II, the withdrawal payment will be the greater of:
    (i) Two times the minimum bid increment during the round in which 
the erroneous bid was submitted; and
    (ii) The standard withdrawal payment, as defined in paragraph (a) 
of this section, calculated as if the bidder had made a bid one bid 
increment above the minimum accepted bid. If an erroneous bid is 
withdrawn two or more rounds following the round in which it was 
submitted, the bidder will not be eligible for any reduction in the bid 
withdrawal payment as defined in paragraph (a) of this section. During 
Stage III of an auction, if an erroneous bid is not withdrawn during 
the round

[[Page 59065]]

in which it was submitted, the bidder will not be eligible for any 
reduction in the bid withdrawal payment as defined in paragraph (a) of 
this section.


Sec. 27.204  Bidding application and certification procedures.

    (a) Submission of short-form application (FCC Form 175). In order 
to be eligible to bid, an applicant must timely submit, by means of 
electronic filing, a short-form application (FCC Form 175). Unless 
otherwise provided by public notice, the Form 175 need not be 
accompanied by an upfront payment (see Sec. 27.205).
    (1) All Form 175s will be due on the date specified by public 
notice.
    (2) The Form 175 must contain the following information:
    (i) Identification of each license on which the applicant wishes to 
bid;
    (ii) The applicant's name, if the applicant is an individual. If 
the applicant is a corporation, then the short-form application will 
require the name and address of the corporate office and the name and 
title of an officer or director. If the applicant is a partnership, 
then the application will require the name, citizenship and address of 
all partners, and, if a partner is not a natural person, then the name 
and title of a responsible person should be included as well. If the 
applicant is a trust, then the name and address of the trustee will be 
required. If the applicant is none of the above, then it must identify 
and describe itself and its principals or other responsible persons;
    (iii) The identity of the person(s) authorized to make or withdraw 
a bid;
    (iv) Certification that the applicant is legally, technically, 
financially and otherwise qualified pursuant to section 308(b) of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended. The Commission will accept 
applications certifying that a request for waiver or other relief from 
the requirements of section 310 is pending;
    (v) Certification that the applicant is in compliance with the 
foreign ownership provisions of section 310 of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended;
    (vi) Certification that the applicant is and will, during the 
pendency of its application(s), remain in compliance with any service-
specific qualifications applicable to the licenses on which the 
applicant intends to bid including, but not limited to, financial 
qualifications. The Commission may require certification in certain 
services that the applicant will, following grant of a license, come 
into compliance with certain service-specific rules, including, but not 
limited to, ownership eligibility limitations;
    (vii) An exhibit, certified as truthful under penalty of perjury, 
identifying all parties with whom the applicant has entered into 
partnerships, joint ventures, consortia or other agreements, 
arrangements or understandings of any kind relating to the licenses 
being auctioned, including any such agreements relating to the post-
auction market structure;
    (viii) Certification under penalty of perjury that it has not 
entered and will not enter into any explicit or implicit agreements, 
arrangements or understandings of any kind with any parties other than 
those identified pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(vii) of this section 
regarding the amount of their bids, bidding strategies or the 
particular licenses on which they will or will not bid; and
    (ix) Certification under penalty of perjury that it is not in 
default on any Commission licenses and that it is not delinquent on any 
extension of credit from any federal agency;

    Note to paragraph (a): The Commission may also request 
applicants to submit additional information for informational 
purposes to aid in its preparation of required reports to Congress.

    (b) Modification and amendment of application. Applicants will be 
permitted to amend their Form 175 applications to make minor amendments 
to correct minor errors or defects such as typographical errors. 
Applicants will also be permitted to amend FCC Form 175 to make changes 
to the information required by paragraph (a) of this section (such as 
ownership changes or changes in the identification of parties to 
bidding consortia), provided such changes do not result in a change in 
control of the applicant and do not involve another applicant (or 
parties in interest to an applicant) who has applied for licenses in 
any of the same geographic license areas as the applicant. Amendments 
which change control of the applicant will be considered major 
amendments. An FCC Form 175 which is amended by a major amendment will 
be considered to be newly filed and cannot be resubmitted after 
applicable filing deadlines. See also Sec. 1.2105 of this chapter.


Sec. 27.205  Submission of upfront payments.

    (a) The Commission may require applicants for licenses subject to 
competitive bidding to submit an upfront payment. In that event, the 
amount of the upfront payment and the procedures for submitting it will 
be set forth in a public notice. No interest will be paid on upfront 
payments.
    (b) Upfront payments must be made by wire transfer.
    (c) If the applicant does not submit at least the minimum upfront 
payment, it will be ineligible to bid, its application will be 
dismissed and any upfront payment it has made will be returned.
    (d) The upfront payment(s) of a bidder will be credited toward any 
down payment required for licenses on which the bidder is the high 
bidder. Where the upfront payment amount exceeds the required deposit 
of a winning bidder, the Commission may refund the excess amount after 
determining that no bid withdrawal payments are owed by that bidder.
    (e) In accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this 
section, in the event a payment is assessed pursuant to Sec. 27.203 for 
bid withdrawal or default, upfront payments or down payments on deposit 
with the Commission will be used to satisfy the bid withdrawal or 
default payment before being applied toward any additional payment 
obligations that the high bidder may have.


Sec. 27.206  Submission of down payment and filing of long-form 
applications.

    (a) After bidding has ended, the Commission will identify and 
notify the high bidder and declare the bidding closed.
    (b) Within ten (10) business days after being notified that it is a 
high bidder on a particular license(s), a high bidder must submit to 
the Commission's lockbox bank such additional funds (the ``down 
payment'') as are necessary to bring its total deposits (not including 
upfront payments applied to satisfy bid withdrawal or default payments) 
up to twenty (20) percent of its high bid(s). This down payment must be 
made by wire transfer or cashier's check drawn in U.S. dollars from a 
financial institution whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation and must be made payable to the Federal 
Communications Commission. Down payments will be held by the Commission 
until the high bidder has been awarded the license and has paid the 
remaining balance due on the license, in which case it will not be 
returned, or until the winning bidder is found unqualified to be a 
licensee or has defaulted, in which case it will be returned, less 
applicable payments. No interest will be paid on any down payment.
    (c) A high bidder that meets its down payment obligations in a 
timely manner must, within ten (10) business days after being notified 
that it is a high bidder,

[[Page 59066]]

submit an additional application (the ``long-form application'') 
pursuant to the rules governing the service in which the applicant is 
the high bidder. Notwithstanding any other provision in chapter I of 
title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations to the contrary, high 
bidders need not submit an additional application filing fee with their 
long-form applications. Notwithstanding any other provision in chapter 
I of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations to the contrary, the 
high bidder's long-form application must be mailed or otherwise 
delivered to: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications 
Commission, Attention: Auction Application Processing Section, 1919 M 
Street, N.W., Room 222, Washington, D.C. 20554. An applicant that fails 
to submit the required long-form application as required under this 
section, and fails to establish good cause for any late-filed 
submission, shall be deemed to have defaulted and will be subject to 
the payments set forth in Sec. 27.203.
    (d) As an exhibit to its long-form application, the applicant must 
provide a detailed explanation of the terms and conditions and parties 
involved in any bidding consortia, joint venture, partnership or other 
agreement or arrangement it had entered into relating to the 
competitive bidding process prior to the time bidding was completed. 
Such agreements must have been entered into prior to the filing of 
short-form applications pursuant to Sec. 27.204.


Sec. 27.207  Procedures for filing petitions to deny against WCS long-
form applications.

    (a) Within five (5) days after the Commission gives public notice 
that a long-form application has been accepted for filing, petitions to 
deny that application may be filed. Any such petitions must contain 
allegations of fact supported by affidavit of a person or persons with 
personal knowledge thereof, and be served by hand upon the applicant or 
its representative.
    (b) An applicant may file an opposition to any petition to deny 
within three (3) days after the deadline for filing petitions to deny. 
Allegations of fact or denials thereof must be supported by affidavit 
of a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof, and such 
opposition must be served by hand upon the petitioner.
    (c) If the Commission determines that:
    (1) An applicant is qualified and there is no substantial and 
material issue of fact concerning that determination, it will grant the 
application;
    (2) An applicant is not qualified and that there is no substantial 
issue of fact concerning that determination, the Commission need not 
hold a evidentiary hearing and will deny the application; and
    (3) Substantial and material issues of fact require a hearing, it 
will conduct a hearing. The Commission may permit all or part of the 
evidence to be submitted in written form and may permit employees other 
than administrative law judges to preside at the taking of written 
evidence. Such hearing will be conducted on an expedited basis.

Subpart E--Application, Licensing, and Processing Rules for WCS


Sec. 27.301  Authorization required.

    No person shall use or operate any device for the transmission of 
energy or communications by radio in the services authorized by this 
part except as provided in this part.


Sec. 27.302  Eligibility.

    (a) General. Authorizations will be granted upon proper application 
if:
    (1) The applicant is qualified under the applicable laws and the 
regulations, policies and decisions issued under those laws, including 
Secs. 27.101 and 27.12;
    (2) There are frequencies available to provide satisfactory 
service; and
    (3) The public interest, convenience or necessity would be served 
by a grant.
    (b) Alien ownership. A WCS authorization to provide Commercial 
Mobile Radio Service may not be granted to or held by:
    (1) Any alien or the representative of any alien;
    (2) Any corporation organized under the laws of any foreign 
government;
    (3) Any corporation of which more than one-fifth of the capital 
stock is owned of record or voted by aliens or their representatives or 
by a foreign government or representative thereof or any corporation 
organized under the laws of a foreign country; or
    (4) Any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other 
corporation of which more than one-fourth of the capital stock is owned 
of record or voted by aliens, their representatives, or by a foreign 
government or representative thereof, or by any corporation organized 
under the laws of a foreign country, if the Commission finds that the 
public interest will be served by the refusal or revocation of such 
license.
    (c) A WCS authorization to provide Private Mobile Radio Service may 
not be granted to or held by a foreign government or a representative 
thereof.


Sec. 27.303  Formal and informal applications.

    (a) Except for an authorization under any of the conditions stated 
in section 308(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 308(a)), 
the Commission may grant only upon written application received by it, 
the following authorization: station licenses; modifications of 
licenses; renewals of licenses; transfers and assignments of station 
licenses, or any right thereunder.
    (b) Except as may be otherwise permitted by this part, a separate 
written application shall be filed for each instrument of authorization 
requested. Applications may be:
    (1) ``Formal applications'' where the Commission has prescribed in 
this part a standard form; or
    (2) ``Informal applications'' (normally in letter form) where the 
Commission has not prescribed a standard form.
    (c) An informal application will be accepted for filing only if:
    (1) A standard form is not prescribed or clearly applicable to the 
authorization requested;
    (2) It is a document submitted, in duplicate, with a caption which 
indicates clearly the nature of the request, radio service involved, 
location of the station, and the application file number (if known); 
and
    (3) It contains all the technical details and informational 
showings required by the rules and states clearly and completely the 
facts involved and authorization desired.


Sec. 27.304  Filing of WCS applications, fees, and numbers of copies.

    (a) As prescribed by Secs. 27.305 and 27.307, standard formal 
application forms applicable to the WCS may be obtained from either:
    (1) Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554; or
    (2) By calling the Commission's Forms Distribution Center, (202) 
418-3676.
    (b) Applications for the initial provision of WCS service must be 
filed on FCC Form 175 in accordance with the rules in Secs. 27.204 and 
27.305 and part 1, subpart Q, of this chapter. In the event of mutual 
exclusivity between applicants filing FCC Form 175, only auction 
winners will be eligible to file subsequent long form applications on 
FCC Form [XXX] for initial WCS licenses. Mutually exclusive 
applications filed on Form 175 are subject to competitive bidding under 
the rules in Secs. 27.204 and 27.305 and part 1, subpart Q, of this 
chapter. WCS applicants filing Form [XXX] need not complete Schedule B.
    (c) All applications for WCS radio station authorizations (other 
than

[[Page 59067]]

applications for initial provision of WCS service filed on FCC Form 
175) shall be submitted for filing to: Federal Communications 
Commission, Washington, DC 20554, Attention: WCS Processing Section. 
Applications requiring fees as set forth at part 1, subpart G, of this 
chapter must be filed in accordance with Sec. 0.401(b) of this chapter.
    (d) All correspondence or amendments concerning a submitted 
application shall clearly identify the name of the applicant, applicant 
identification number or Commission file number (if known) or station 
call sign of the application involved, and may be sent directly to the 
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Washington, DC 20554, WCS 
Processing Section.
    (e) Except as otherwise specified, all applications, amendments, 
correspondence, pleadings and forms (with the exception of FCC Form 
175, which is to be filed electronically pursuant to Sec. 27.204) shall 
be submitted on one original paper copy and with three microfiche 
copies, including exhibits and attachments thereto, and shall be signed 
as prescribed by Sec. 1.743 of this chapter. Unless otherwise provided 
by the FCC, filings of five pages or less are exempt from the 
requirement to submit on microfiche, as well as emergency filings like 
letters requesting special temporary authority. Those filing any 
amendments, correspondence, pleadings, and forms must simultaneously 
submit the original hard copy which must be stamped ``original''. In 
addition to the original hard copy, those filing pleadings, including 
pleadings under Sec. 1.2108 of this chapter shall also submit 2 paper 
copies as provided in Sec. 1.51 of this chapter.
    (1) Microfiche copies. Each microfiche copy must be a copy of the 
signed original. Each microfiche copy shall be a 148 mm 0A 105 mm 
negative (clear transparent characters appearing on an opaque 
background) at 240A to 270A reduction for microfiche or microfiche 
jackets. One of the microfiche sets must be a silver halide camera 
master or a copy made on silver halide film such as Kodak Direct 
Duplicatory Film. The microfiche must be placed in paper microfiche 
envelopes and submitted in a B6 (125 mm 0A 176 mm) or 5 0A 7.5 inch 
envelope. All applicants must leave Row ``A'' (the first row for page 
images) of the first fiche blank for in-house identification purposes.
    (2) All applications and all amendments must have the following 
information printed on the mailing envelope, the microfiche envelope, 
and on the title area at the top of the microfiche:
    (i) The name of the applicant;
    (ii) The type of application (e.g. nationwide, regional, etc.);
    (iii) The month and year of the document;
    (iv) Name of the document;
    (v) File number, applicant identification number, and call sign, if 
assigned; and
    (vi) Each microfiche copy of pleadings shall include:
    (A) The month and year of the document;
    (B) Name of the document;
    (C) Name of the filing party; and
    (D) File number, applicant identification number, and call sign, if 
assigned:


Sec. 27.305  Standard application forms and permissive changes or minor 
modifications for the Wireless Communications Service.

    (a) Applications for the initial provision of WCS service must be 
filed electronically on FCC Forms 175 and 175-S.
    (b) Subsequent application by auction winners or non-mutually 
exclusive applicants for WCS radio station(s) under this part. FCC Form 
[XXX] (``Application for New or Modified Wireless Communications 
Service Under Part 27'') shall be submitted by each auction winner for 
each WCS license applied for on FCC Form 175. In the event that mutual 
exclusivity does not exist between applicants filing FCC Form 175, the 
Commission will so inform the applicant and the applicant will also 
file FCC Form [XXX]. Blanket licenses are granted for each market 
frequency block. Applications for individual sites are not needed and 
will not be accepted. See Sec. 27.11. WCS applicants filing Form [XXX] 
need not complete Schedule B.


Sec. 27.306  Miscellaneous forms.

    (a) Licensee qualifications. FCC Form 430 (``Common Carrier and 
Satellite Radio Licensee Qualifications Report'') shall be filed by 
Wireless Communications Service licensees only as required by Form 490 
(Application for Assignment or Transfer of Control Under part 22 of 
this chapter).
    (b) Renewal of station license. Except for renewal of special 
temporary authorizations, FCC Form 405 (``Application for Renewal of 
Station License'') must be filed in duplicate by the licensee between 
thirty (30) and sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date of the 
license sought to be renewed.


Sec. 27.307  General application requirements.

    (a) Each application (including applications filed on Forms 175 and 
[XXX]) for a radio station authorization or for consent to assignment 
or transfer of control in the WCS shall disclose fully the real party 
or parties in interest and must include the following information:
    (1) A list of its subsidiaries, if any. Subsidiary means any 
business five per cent or more whose stock, warrants, options or debt 
securities are owned by the applicant or an officer, director, 
stockholder or key management personnel of the applicant. This list 
must include a description of each subsidiary's principal business and 
a description of each subsidiary's relationship to the applicant.
    (2) A list of its affiliates, if any. Affiliates means any business 
which holds a five percent or more interest in the applicant, or any 
business in which a five percent or more interest is held by another 
company which holds a five percent interest in the applicant (e.g. 
Company A owns 5% of Company B and 5% of Company C; Companies B and C 
are affiliates).
    (3) A list of the names, addresses, citizenship and principal 
business of any person holding five percent or more of each class of 
stock, warrants, options or debt securities together with the amount 
and percentage held, and the name, address, citizenship and principal 
place of business of any person on whose account, if other than the 
holder, such interest is held. If any of these persons are related by 
blood or marriage, include such relationship in the statement.
    (4) In the case of partnerships, the name and address of each 
partner, each partner's citizenship and the share or interest 
participation in the partnership. This information must be provided for 
all partners, regardless of their respective ownership interests in the 
partnership. A signed and dated copy of the partnership agreement must 
be included in the application. This information must be included in 
Exhibit V of the application.
    (b) Each application for a radio station authorization in the WCS 
must:
    (1) Submit the information required by the Commission's rules, 
requests, and application forms;
    (2) Be maintained by the applicant substantially accurate and 
complete in all significant respects in accordance with the provisions 
of Sec. 1.65 of this chapter; and
    (3) Show compliance with and make all special showings that may be 
applicable.

[[Page 59068]]

    (c) Where documents, exhibits, or other lengthy showings already on 
file with the Commission contain information which is required by an 
application form, the application may specifically refer to such 
information, if:
    (1) The information previously filed is over one A4 (21 cm  x  29.7 
cm) or 8.5  x  11 inch (21.6 cm  x  27.9 cm) page in length, and all 
information referenced therein is current and accurate in all 
significant respects under Sec. 1.65 of this chapter; and
    (2) The reference states specifically where the previously filed 
information can actually be found, including mention of:
    (i) The station call sign or application file number whenever the 
reference is to station files or previously filed applications; and
    (ii) The title of the proceeding, the docket number, and any legal 
citations, whenever the reference is to a docketed proceeding. However, 
questions on an application form which call for specific technical 
data, or which can be answered by a ``yes'' or ``no'' or other short 
answer shall be answered as appropriate and shall not be cross-
referenced to a previous filing.
    (d) In addition to the general application requirements of subpart 
F of this part and Sec. 1.2105 of this chapter, applicants shall submit 
any additional documents, exhibits, or signed written statements of 
fact:
    (1) As may be required by this chapter; and
    (2) As the Commission, at any time after the filing of an 
application and during the term of any authorization, may require from 
any applicant, permittee, or licensee to enable it to determine whether 
a radio authorization should be granted, denied, or revoked.
    (e) Except when the Commission has declared explicitly to the 
contrary, an informational requirement does not in itself imply the 
processing treatment of decisional weight to be accorded the response.
    (f) All applicants (except applicants filing FCC Form 175) are 
required to indicate at the time their application is filed whether or 
not a Commission grant of the application may have a significant 
environmental impact as defined by Sec. 1.1307 of this chapter. If 
answered affirmatively, the requisite environmental assessment as 
prescribed in Sec. 1.1311 of this chapter must be filed with the 
application and Commission environmental review must be completed prior 
to construction. See Sec. 1.1312 of this chapter. All WCS licensees are 
subject to a continuing obligation to determine whether subsequent 
construction may have a significant environmental impact prior to 
undertaking such construction and to otherwise comply with Secs. 1.1301 
through 1.1319 of this chapter. See Sec. 1.1312 of this chapter.


Sec. 27.308  Technical content of applications; maintenance of list of 
station locations.

    All applications required by this part shall contain all technical 
information required by the application forms or associated public 
notice(s). Applications other than initial applications for a WCS 
license must also comply with all technical requirements of the rules 
governing the WCS (see subparts C and D of this part as appropriate).


Sec. 27.310  Waiver of rules.

    (a) Request for waivers. (1) Waivers of the rules in this chapter 
may be granted upon application or by the Commission on its own motion. 
Requests for waivers shall contain a statement of reasons sufficient to 
justify a waiver. Waivers will not be granted except upon an 
affirmative showing:
    (i) That the underlying purpose of the rule in this chapter will 
not be served, or would be frustrated, by its application in a 
particular case, and that grant of the waiver is otherwise in the 
public interest; or
    (ii) That the unique facts and circumstances of a particular case 
render application of the rule in this chapter inequitable, unduly 
burdensome or otherwise contrary to the public interest. Applicants 
must also show the lack of a reasonable alternative.
    (2) If the information necessary to support a waiver request is 
already on file, the applicant may cross-reference to the specific 
filing where it may be found.
    (b) Denial of waiver, alternate showing required. If a waiver is 
not granted, the application will be dismissed as defective unless the 
applicant has also provided an alternative proposal which complies with 
the Commission's rules in this chapter (including any required 
showings).


Sec. 27.311   Defective applications.

    (a) Unless the Commission shall otherwise permit, an application 
will be unacceptable for filing and will be returned to the applicant 
with a brief statement as to the omissions or discrepancies if:
    (1) The application is defective with respect to completeness of 
answers to questions, informational showings, execution, or other 
matters of a formal character; or
    (2) The application does not comply with the Commission's rules, 
regulations, specific requirements for additional information or other 
requirements. See also Sec. 1.2105 of this chapter.
    (b) Some examples of common deficiencies which result in defective 
applications under paragraph (a) of this section are:
    (1) The application is not filled out completely and signed;
    (2) The application (other than an application filed on FCC Form 
175) does not include an environmental assessment as required for an 
action that may have a significant impact upon the environment, as 
defined in Sec. 1.1307 of this chapter; or
    (3) The application is filed prior to the public notice issued 
under Sec. 27.317 announcing the application filing date for the 
relevant auction or after the cutoff date prescribed in that public 
notice.
    (c) If an applicant is requested by the Commission to file any 
documents or any supplementary or explanatory information not 
specifically required in the prescribed application form, a failure to 
comply with such request within a specified time period will be deemed 
to render the application defective and will subject it to dismissal.


Sec. 27.312  Inconsistent or conflicting applications.

    While an application is pending and undecided under this part, no 
subsequent inconsistent or conflicting application may be filed by the 
same applicant, his successor or assignee, or on behalf or for the 
benefit of the same applicant, his successor or assignee.


Sec. 27.313  Amendment of applications for Wireless Communications 
Service (other than applications filed on FCC Form 175).

    This section applies to all applications for Wireless 
Communications Service other than applications filed on FCC Form 175.
    (a) Amendments as of right. A pending application may be amended as 
a matter of right if the application has not been designated for 
hearing.
    (1) Amendments shall comply with Sec. 27.319, as applicable; and
    (2) Amendments which resolve interference conflicts or amendments 
under Sec. 27.319 may be filed at any time.
    (b) The Commission or the presiding officer may grant requests to 
amend an application designated for hearing only if a written petition 
demonstrating good cause is submitted and properly served upon the 
parties of record.
    (c) Major amendments, minor amendments. The Commission will 
classify all amendments as minor except

[[Page 59069]]

in the cases listed in this paragraph (c). An amendment shall be deemed 
to be a major amendment subject to Sec. 27.317 under any of the 
following circumstances:
    (1) Change in technical proposal. If the amendment results in a 
substantial change in the engineering proposal such as (but not 
necessarily limited to) a change in, or an addition of, a radio 
frequency;
    (2) Amendment to proposed service area. If the amendment extends 
the reliable service area of the proposed facilities outside its EA or 
other applicable market area as defined in Sec. 27.102; or
    (3) A substantial change in ownership or control.
    (d) If a petition to deny (or other formal objection) has been 
filed, any amendment, requests for waiver, (or other written 
communications) shall be served on the petitioner by hand, unless 
waiver of this requirement is granted pursuant to paragraph (e) of this 
section. See also Sec. 1.2108 of this chapter.
    (e) The Commission may waive the service requirements of paragraph 
(d) of this section and prescribe such alternative procedures as may be 
appropriate under the circumstances to protect petitioners' interests 
and to avoid undue delay in a proceeding, if an applicant submits a 
request for waiver which demonstrates that the service requirement is 
unreasonably burdensome.
    (f) Any amendment to an application shall be signed and shall be 
submitted in the same manner, and with the same number of copies, as 
was the original application. Amendments may be made in letter form if 
they comply in all other respects with the requirements of this 
chapter.
    (g) An application will be considered to be a newly filed 
application if it is amended by a major amendment (as defined in this 
section), except in the following circumstances:
    (1) The amendment reflects only a change in ownership or control 
found by the Commission to be in the public interest;
    (2) The amendment corrects typographical transcription, or similar 
clerical errors which are clearly demonstrated to be mistakes by 
reference to other parts of the application, and whose discovery does 
not create new or increased frequency conflicts;
    (3) The amendment does not create new or increased frequency 
conflicts, and is demonstrably necessitated by events which the 
applicant could not have reasonably foreseen at the time of filing, 
such as, for example:
    (i) The loss of a transmitter or receiver site by condemnation, 
natural causes, or loss of lease or option; or
    (ii) Obstruction of a proposed transmission path caused by the 
erection of a new building or other structure.


Sec. 27.314  Application for temporary authorizations.

    (a) In circumstances requiring immediate or temporary use of 
facilities, request may be made for special temporary authority to 
install and/or operate new or modified equipment. Any such request may 
be submitted as an informal application in the manner set forth in 
Sec. 27.303 and must contain full particulars as to the proposed 
operation including all facts sufficient to justify the temporary 
authority sought and the public interest therein. No such request will 
be considered unless the request is received by the Commission at least 
10 days prior to the date of proposed construction or operation or, 
where an extension is sought, expiration date of the existing temporary 
authorization. A request received within less than 10 days may be 
accepted upon due showing of sufficient reasons for the delay in 
submitting such request.
    (b) Special temporary authorizations may be granted without regard 
to the 30-day public notice requirements of Sec. 27.317 when:
    (1) The authorization is for a period not to exceed 30 days and no 
application for regular operation is contemplated to be filed;
    (2) The authorization is for a period not to exceed 60 days pending 
the filing of an application for such regular operation;
    (3) The authorization is to permit interim operation to facilitate 
completion of authorized construction or to provide substantially the 
same service as previously authorized; or
    (4) The authorization is made upon a finding that there are 
extraordinary circumstances requiring operation in the public interest 
and that delay in the institution of such service would seriously 
prejudice the public interest.
    (c) Temporary authorizations of operation not to exceed 180 days 
may be granted under the standards of section 309(f) of the 
Communications Act where extraordinary circumstances so require. 
Extensions of the temporary authorization for a period of 180 days each 
may also be granted, but the renewal applicant bears a heavy burden to 
show that extraordinary circumstances warrant such an extension.
    (d) In cases of emergency found by the Commission, involving danger 
to life or property or due to damage of equipment, or during a national 
emergency proclaimed by the president or declared by the Congress or 
during the continuance of any war in which the United States is engaged 
and when such action is necessary for the national defense or safety or 
otherwise in furtherance of the war effort, or in cases of emergency 
where the Commission finds that it would not be feasible to secure 
renewal applications from existing licensees or otherwise to follow 
normal licensing procedure, the Commission will grant radio station 
authorizations and station licenses, or modifications or renewals 
thereof, during the emergency found by the Commission or during the 
continuance of any such national emergency or war, as special temporary 
licenses, only for the period of emergency or war requiring such 
action, without the filing of formal applications.


Sec. 27.315   Receipt of application; applications in the Wireless 
Communications Service filed on FCC Form 175 and other applications in 
the WCS Service.

    (a) All applications for the initial provision of WCS service must 
be submitted by means of electronic filing on FCC Forms 175 and 175-S. 
Mutually exclusive initial applications in the Wireless Communications 
Service are subject to competitive bidding. FCC Form [XXX] 
(``Application for New or Modified Subscription Radio Service Radio 
Station Under Part 27'') must be submitted by each winning bidder for 
each WCS license applied for on FCC Form 175. In the event that mutual 
exclusivity does not exist between applicants filing FCC Form 175, the 
applicant will also file FCC Form 401. The aforementioned Forms 175, 
175-S, and [XXX] are subject to the provisions of part 1, subpart Q, of 
this chapter (``Competitive Bidding Proceedings'') and subpart D of 
this part. Blanket licenses are granted for each market frequency 
block. Applications for individual sites are not needed and will not be 
accepted. See Sec. 27.11.
    (b) Applications received for filing are given a file number. The 
assignment of a file number to an application is merely for 
administrative convenience and does not indicate the acceptance of the 
application for filing and processing. Such assignment of a file number 
will not preclude the subsequent return or dismissal of the application 
if it is found to be defective or not in accordance with the 
Commission's rules in this chapter.
    (c) Acceptance of an application for filing merely means that it 
has been the

[[Page 59070]]

subject of a preliminary review as to completeness. Such acceptance 
will not preclude the subsequent return or dismissal of the application 
if it is found to be defective or not in accordance with the 
Commission's rules in this chapter.


Sec. 27.316   Public notice period.

    (a) At regular intervals, the Commission will issue a public notice 
listing:
    (1) The acceptance for filing of all applications and major 
amendments thereto;
    (2) Significant Commission actions concerning applications listed 
as acceptable for filing;
    (3) Information which the Commission in its discretion believes of 
public significance. Such notices are solely for the purpose of 
informing the public and do not create any rights in an applicant or 
any other person; or
    (4) Special environmental considerations as required by part 1 of 
this chapter.
    (b) The Commission will not grant any application until expiration 
of a period of seven (7) days following the issuance date of a public 
notice listing the application, or any major amendments thereto, as 
acceptable for filing. Provided, that the Commission will not grant an 
application filed on Form [XXX] filed either by a winning bidder or by 
an applicant whose Form 175 application is not mutually exclusive with 
other applicants, until the expiration of a period of forty (40) days 
following the issuance of a public notice listing the application, or 
any major amendments thereto, as acceptable for filing. See also 
Sec. 27.207.
    (c) As an exception to paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2) and (b) of this 
section, the public notice provisions are not applicable to 
applications:
    (1) For authorization of a minor technical change in the facilities 
of an authorized station where such a change would not be classified as 
a major amendment (as defined by Sec. 27.314) were such a change to be 
submitted as an amendment to a pending application;
    (2) For issuance of a license subsequent to a radio station 
authorization or, pending application for a grant of such license, any 
special or temporary authorization to permit interim operation to 
facilitate completion of authorized construction or to provide 
substantially the same service as would be authorized by such license;
    (3) For extension of time to complete construction of authorized 
facilities, see Sec. 27.104;
    (4) For temporary authorization pursuant to Sec. 27.314;
    (5) For an authorization under any of the proviso clauses of 
section 308(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 308(a));
    (6) For consent to an involuntary assignment or transfer of control 
of a radio authorization; or
    (7) For consent to a voluntary assignment or transfer of control of 
a radio authorization, where the assignment or transfer does not 
involve a substantial change in ownership or control.


Sec. 27.317   Dismissal and return of applications.

    (a) Any application may be dismissed without prejudice as a matter 
of right if the applicant requests its dismissal prior to designation 
for hearing or, in the case of applications filed on Forms 175 and 175-
S, prior to auction. An applicant's request for the return of his 
application after it has been accepted for filing will be considered to 
be a request for dismissal without prejudice. Applicants requesting 
dismissal of their applications are also subject to Sec. 1.2104 of this 
chapter.
    (b) A request to dismiss an application without prejudice will be 
considered after designation for hearing only if:
    (1) A written petition is submitted to the Commission and is 
properly served upon all parties of record; and
    (2) The petition complies with the provisions of this section and 
demonstrates good cause.
    (c) The Commission will dismiss an application for failure to 
prosecute or for failure to respond substantially within a specified 
time period to official correspondence or requests for additional 
information. Dismissal shall be without prejudice if made prior to 
designation for hearing or prior to auction, but dismissal may be made 
with prejudice for unsatisfactory compliance or after designation for 
hearing or after the applicant is notified that it is the winning 
bidder under the auction process.


Sec. 27.318   Ownership changes and agreements to amend or to dismiss 
applications or pleadings.

    (a) Applicability. Subject to the provisions of Sec. 1.2105 of this 
chapter (Bidding Application and Certification Procedures; Prohibition 
of Collusion), this section applies to applicants and all other parties 
interested in pending applications who wish to resolve contested 
matters among themselves with a formal or an informal agreement or 
understanding. This section applies only when the agreement or 
understanding will result in:
    (1) A major change in the ownership of an applicant to which 
Secs. 27.313(c) and 27.313(g) apply [or which would cause the applicant 
to lose its status as a designated entity under Sec. 27.XXX]; or
    (2) The individual or mutual withdrawal, amendment or dismissal of 
any pending application, amendment, petition or other pleading.
    (b) The provisions of Sec. 22.129 of this chapter will apply in the 
event of the filing of petitions to deny or other pleadings or informal 
objections filed against WCS applications. The provisions of 
Sec. 22.129 of this chapter will apply in the event of dismissal of WCS 
applications. The provisions of Sec. 22.129(c) of this chapter will 
apply in the event of threats to file petitions to deny or other 
pleadings or informal objections against WCS applications.


Sec. 27.319   Opposition to applications.

    (a) Petitions to deny (including petitions for other forms of 
relief) and responsive pleadings for Commission consideration must 
comply with Sec. 27.207 and must:
    (1) Identify the application or applications (including applicant's 
name, station location, Commission file numbers and radio service 
involved) with which it is concerned;
    (2) Be filed in accordance with the pleading limitations, filing 
periods, and other applicable provisions of Secs. 1.41 through 1.52 of 
this chapter except where otherwise provided in Sec. 27.207;
    (3) Contain specific allegations of fact which, except for facts of 
which official notice may be taken, shall be supported by affidavit of 
a person or persons with personal knowledge thereof, and which shall be 
sufficient to demonstrate that the petitioner (or respondent) is a 
party in interest and that a grant of, or other Commission action 
regarding, the application would be prima facie inconsistent with the 
public interest;
    (4) Be filed within five (5) days after the date of public notice 
announcing the acceptance for filing of any such application or major 
amendment thereto (unless the Commission otherwise extends the filing 
deadline); and
    (5) Contain a certificate of service showing that it has been hand 
delivered to the applicant no later than the date of filing thereof 
with the Commission.
    (b) A petition to deny a major amendment to a previously filed 
application may only raise matters directly related to the amendment 
which could not have been raised in connection with the underlying, 
previously filed application. This does not apply to petitioners who 
gain

[[Page 59071]]

standing because of the major amendment.
    (c) Parties who file frivolous petitions to deny may be subject to 
sanctions including monetary forfeitures, license revocation, if they 
are FCC licensees, and may be prohibited from participating in future 
auctions.


Sec. 27.320  Mutually exclusive applications.

    (a) The Commission will consider applications to be mutually 
exclusive if their conflicts are such that the grant of one application 
would effectively preclude by reason of harmful electrical 
interference, or other practical reason, the grant of one or more of 
the other applications. The Commission will presume ``harmful 
electrical interference'' to mean interference which would result in a 
material impairment to service rendered to the public despite full 
cooperation in good faith by all applicants or parties to achieve 
reasonable technical adjustments which would avoid electrical conflict.
    (b) Mutually exclusive applications filed on Form 175 for the 
initial provision of WCS service are subject to competitive bidding in 
accordance with the procedures in subpart F of this part and in part 1, 
subpart Q, of this chapter.
    (c) An application will be entitled to comparative consideration 
with one or more conflicting applications only if the Commission 
determines that such comparative consideration will serve the public 
interest.


Sec. 27.321  Consideration of applications.

    (a) Applications for an instrument of authorization will be granted 
if, upon examination of the application and upon consideration of such 
other matters as it may officially notice, the Commission finds that 
the grant will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. 
See also Sec. 1.2108 of this chapter.
    (b) The grant shall be without a formal hearing if, upon 
consideration of the application, any pleadings or objections filed, or 
other matters which may be officially noticed, the Commission finds 
that:
    (1) The application is acceptable for filing, and is in accordance 
with the Commission's rules (47 CFR chapter I), regulations, and other 
requirements;
    (2) The application is not subject to a post-auction hearing or to 
comparative consideration pursuant to Sec. 27.320 with another 
application(s);
    (3) A grant of the application would not cause harmful electrical 
interference to an authorized station;
    (4) There are no substantial and material questions of fact 
presented; and
    (5) The applicant is qualified under current FCC regulations and 
policies.
    (c) If the Commission should grant without a formal hearing an 
application for an instrument of authorization which is subject to a 
petition to deny filed in accordance with Sec. 27.319, the Commission 
will deny the petition by the issuance of a Memorandum Opinion and 
Order which will concisely report the reasons for the denial and 
dispose of all substantial issues raised by the petition.
    (d) Whenever the Commission, without a formal hearing, grants any 
application in part, or subject to any terms or conditions other than 
those normally applied to applications of the same type, it shall 
inform the applicant of the reasons therefor, and the grant shall be 
considered final unless the Commission should revise its action (either 
by granting the application as originally requested, or by designating 
the application for a formal evidentiary hearing) in response to a 
petition for reconsideration which:
    (1) Is filed by the applicant within thirty (30) days from the date 
of the letter or order giving the reasons for the partial or 
conditioned grant;
    (2) Rejects the grant as made and explains the reasons why the 
application should be granted as originally requested; and
    (3) Returns the instrument of authorization.
    (e) The Commission will designate an application for a formal 
hearing, specifying with particularity the matters and things in issue, 
if, upon consideration of the application, any pleadings or objections 
filed, or other matters which may be officially noticed, the Commission 
determines that:
    (1) A substantial and material question of fact is presented (see 
also Sec. 1.2108 of this chapter);
    (2) The Commission is unable for any reason to make the findings 
specified in paragraph (a) of this section and the application is 
acceptable for filing, complete, and in accordance with the 
Commission's rules, regulations, and other requirements; or
    (3) The application is entitled to comparative consideration (under 
Sec. 27.320) with another application (or applications).
    (f) The Commission may grant, deny or take other action with 
respect to an application designated for a formal hearing pursuant to 
paragraph (e) of this section or part 1 of this chapter.
    (g) Reconsideration or review of any final action taken by the 
Commission will be in accordance with part 1, subpart A, of this 
chapter.


Sec. 27.322  Post-auction divestitures.

    Any parties sharing a common non-controlling ownership interest who 
aggregate more WCS spectrum among them than a single entity is entitled 
to hold will be permitted to divest sufficient properties within 90 
days of the license grant to come into compliance with the spectrum 
aggregation limits as follows:
    (a) The WCS applicant shall submit a signed statement with its 
long-form application stating that sufficient properties will be 
divested within 90 days of the license grant. If the licensee is 
otherwise qualified, the Commission will grant the applications subject 
to a condition that the licensee come into compliance with the WCS 
spectrum aggregation limits within 90 days of grant.
    (b) Within 90 days of license grant, the licensee must certify that 
the applicant and all parties to the application have come into 
compliance with the WCS spectrum aggregation limits. If the licensee 
fails to submit the certification within 90 days, the Commission will 
immediately cancel all broadband WCS licenses won by the applicant, 
impose the default payment and, based on the facts presented take any 
other action it may deem appropriate. Divestiture may be to an interim 
trustee if a buyer has not been secured in the required time frame, as 
long as the applicant has no interest in or control of the trustee, and 
the trustee may dispose of the property as it sees fit. In no event may 
the trustee retain the property for longer than six months from grant 
of license.


Sec. 27.323  Transfer of control or assignment of station 
authorization.

    (a) Authorizations shall be transferred or assigned to another 
party, voluntarily (for example, by contract) or involuntarily (for 
example, by death, bankruptcy, or legal disability), directly or 
indirectly or by transfer of control of any corporation holding such 
authorization, only upon application and approval by the Commission. A 
transfer of control or assignment of station authorization in the 
Wireless Communications Service is also subject to Sec. 1.2111 of this 
chapter (Assignment or transfer of control: unjust enrichment).
    (1) A change from less than 50% ownership to 50% or more ownership 
shall always be considered a transfer of control.
    (2) In other situations a controlling interest shall be determined 
on a case- by-case basis considering the distribution of ownership, and 
the

[[Page 59072]]

relationships of the owners, including family relationships.
    (b) Form required: (1) Assignment. (i) FCC Form 490 shall be filed 
to assign a license or permit.
    (ii) In the case of involuntary assignment, FCC Form 490 shall be 
filed within 30 days of the event causing the assignment.
    (2) Transfer of control. (i) FCC Form 490 shall be submitted in 
order to transfer control of a corporation holding a license or permit.
    (ii) In the case of involuntary transfer of control, FCC Form 490 
shall be filed within 30 days of the event causing the transfer.
    (3) Form 430. Whenever an application must be filed under 
paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section, the assignee or transferee 
shall file FCC Form 430 (``Common Carrier Radio License Qualification 
Report'') unless an accurate report is on file with the Commission.
    (4) Notification of completion. The Commission shall be notified by 
letter of the date of completion of the assignment or transfer of 
control.
    (5) If the transfer of control of a license is approved, the new 
licensee is held to the original build-out requirement of Sec. 27.104.
    (c) In acting upon applications for transfer of control or 
assignment, the Commission will not consider whether the public 
interest, convenience, and necessity might be served by the transfer or 
assignment of the authorization to a person other than the proposed 
transferee or assignee.
    (d) Applicants seeking to transfer their licenses within three 
years after the initial license grant date are required to file, 
together with their transfer application, the associated contracts for 
sale, option agreements, management agreements, and all other documents 
disclosing the total consideration to be received in return for the 
transfer of the license.


Sec. 27.324  Termination of authorization.

    (a)(1) All authorizations shall terminate on the date specified on 
the authorization or on the date specified by the rules in this part, 
unless a timely application for renewal has been filed.
    (2) If no application for renewal has been made before the 
authorization's expiration date, a late application for renewal will 
only be considered if it is filed within 30 days of the expiration date 
and shows that the failure to file a timely application was due to 
causes beyond the applicant's control. During this 30 day period 
reinstatement applications must be filed on FCC Form 489. Service to 
subscribers need not be suspended while a late filed renewal 
application is pending, but such service shall be without prejudice to 
Commission action on the renewal application and any related sanctions. 
See also Sec. 27.14 (Criteria for Comparative Renewal Proceedings).
    (b) Special Temporary Authority. A special temporary authorization 
shall automatically terminate upon failure to comply with the 
conditions in the authorization.

PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE

    1. The authority citation for part 97 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303. 
Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended; 47 
U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609, unless otherwise noted.

    2. Section 97.303(j)(2) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 97.303  Frequency sharing requirements.

* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (2) The 2300-2310 MHz segment is allocated to the amateur service 
on a secondary basis. The 2390-2400 MHz and 2402-2417 MHz segments are 
allocated to the amateur service on a primary basis. No amateur station 
transmitting in the 2400-2450 MHz segment is protected from 
interference due to the operation of industrial, scientific, and 
medical devices on 2450 MHz.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 96-29530 Filed 11-15-96; 10:55 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P