[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 7, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13739-13740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5515]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 01-58]


Public Safety 700 MHz Band

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On January 10, 2001, the Commission's Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) released a public notice announcing 
that July 2, 2001, is the deadline by which states must indicate their 
decision to ``opt out'' of existing (800 MHz) planning regions for 
Public Safety 700 MHz band regional planning. This action is necessary 
because the Commission directed the WTB to issue a public notice that 
addresses regional planning committee implementation matters including 
the deadline date for reporting the exercise of ``opt out'' decisions. 
The intended effect of this action is to make all interested persons 
aware of the deadline date.

DATES: Opt out decisions must be reported to the WTB by July 2, 2001.

ADDRESS: Opt out decisions must be reported in letter format addressed 
to Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, WTB, and must be 
signed by the convener or elected chairperson of the RPC. Opt out 
letters should be submitted to: Federal Communications Commission, WTB/
Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, 445 12th Street, SW., Room 
4-C330, Washington, DC 20554 (Re: 700 MHz RPC).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, contact 
Joy Alford, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division at (202) 418-
0680 or by e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Following is a summary of Public Notice, DA 
01-58 (rel. Jan 10, 2001). In 1998, the FCC decided that the 700 MHz 
regional planning committees (RPCs) would be based on the same fifty-
five 800 MHz planning regions. However, the FCC also decided to allow 
states or territories not in regions defined by state boundaries to opt 
out of their existing regions to form or join a planning region that 
follows their state's boundaries. Prior to taking advantage of this 
option, the 800 MHz RPC chair must appoint a local convener who is 
responsible for organizing and publicizing the first 700 MHz RPC 
meeting. At the first meeting, RPC members from a state seeking to opt 
out must reach a consensus decision to opt out of the region and form a 
new RPC that would correlate to its state's

[[Page 13740]]

geographic boundaries. States that do not file an opt out report by the 
deadline date will continue to be included in their existing planning 
regions. No report is necessary for planning regions that are 
unchanged. After WTB's receipt and review of opt out reports, it will 
issue a public notice(s) to confirm timely-filed opt out decisions. 
After an opt out decision is confirmed, the new or modified RPC is 
authorized to begin the planning process, absent further action by WTB. 
The full text of the Public Notice is available for inspection and 
copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room 
CY-A257, 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC; it may also be purchased 
from the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription 
Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037. The full 
text of the Public Notice, including a list and map of the 55 planning 
regions and an attachment entitled ``Opt Out'' Decisions--By State, is 
available online at www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Public_Notices/2001/da010058.doc. Alternative formats are available to persons with 
disabilities by contacting Martha Contee at (202) 418-0260 or TTY (202) 
418-2555.

Federal Communications Commission.
D'wana R. Terry,
Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division.
[FR Doc. 01-5515 Filed 3-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-U