[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 9, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 48709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20104]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 00-1360]


Freeze Lifted on the Filing of High Power Applications for 12.5 
kHz Offset Channels in the 450-460 MHz Band

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission lifts the freeze on the 
filing of high power applications. We established a Wireless Telemetry 
Service and allocated spectrum for medical telemetry operations. 
Channels that were removed from regularly-assignable channels and 
reserved for low power operation were reclassified as regularly-
assignable channels available for high power operation. In doing so, we 
are promoting more efficient use of private land mobile radio.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Wilhelm, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, 
(202) 418-0680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Public Notice was released on June 29, 
2000. The document is available, in entirety, for inspection and 
copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 
CY-A257), 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. It may also be 
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International 
Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS, Inc.) 1231 20th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20036, (202) 857-3800. In addition, it is available on 
the Commission's website at http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Orders/2000/fcc00076.pdf. 

Summary of the Public Notice

    1. The Report and Order in ET Docket No. 99-255, noted that the 
Commission would lift the freeze on high power use of the 12.5 kHz 
offset channels in the 450-460 MHz band. This Public Notice lifts the 
freeze on filing applications requesting power in excess of that 
previously permitted on the 12.5 kHz offset channels in the 450-460 MHz 
band effective 7 months from the date of this Public Notice. Thus, WTB 
will start accepting applications for 12.5 kHz offset channels in the 
450-460 MHz band requesting high power on January 29, 2001. Further, 
the Public Notice established January 2, 2001, as the earliest date on 
which requests for coordination of high-powered operation may be 
submitted to a certified frequency coordinator. As noted in the Report 
and Order in ET Docket 99-255, WTB will address lifting the freeze for 
high power use in the 460-470 MHz band at a later date. In a companion 
Public Notice released the same day, WTB announced acceptance of the 
LMCC low power plan.
    2. According to the Public Notice, after the freeze is lifted 
existing low power users may remain on the channel they are currently 
authorized to operate. Users that do so, however, are reminded that if 
the channel is available for high power operation they will not be 
afforded interference protection from high power stations. Incumbent 
low power users on the 12.5 kHz offset channels where high power 
operations will be permitted may nonetheless obtain primary status by 
increasing power, specifying coordinates (or operating area) and 
employing narrowband (12.5 kHz) equipment. The Public Notice noted, 
however, that obtaining such primary status does not guarantee that low 
power licensees will not receive interference from high power 
operations. Also, existing low power users may move to one of the 
designated low power channels as specified in the companion Public 
Notice. Further, they may move to a low power offset channel even if 
they are using wideband (greater than 12.5 kHz) equipment. However, if 
wideband equipment is utilized, the low power stations will be 
secondary to adjacent channel operations.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 90

    Communications equipment, Radio.

Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-20104 Filed 8-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-U