[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 11, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18740-18741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8841]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 2

[DA 01-786, ET Docket No. 00-258]


Final Report Spectrum Study of 2500-2690 MHz Band: The Potential 
for Accommodating Third Generation Mobile Systems

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: On March 30, 2001, the Federal Communications Commission 
released a Final Report on a spectrum study of the 2500-2690 MHz band 
for Third Generation (3G) wireless systems. The Final Report reviews 
and evaluates the earlier analyses and evaluates additional topics, 
including potential alternate frequency bands for relocating 
Instructional Television Fixed Service and Multipoint Distribution 
Service operations and the costs associated with relocation.

DATES: Comments Due: April 16, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rodney Small, or Geraldine Matise, 
Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 418-2452, or (202) 418-
2322, respectively; internet: [email protected]v, or [email protected], 
respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the text of the Public 
Notice, DA 01-786 released March 30, 2001. This document is available 
on the Commission's Internet site, at www.fcc.gov. It is also available 
for inspection and copying during regular business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center, Room CY-A257, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC, 
and also may be purchased from the Commission's duplication contractor, 
International Transcription Service, Inc., (202) 857-3800, 1231 20th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036.

Summary of the Public Notice

    1. The staff of the Federal Communications Commission today 
released a Final Report on a spectrum study of the 2500-2690 MHz band 
for Third Generation (3G) wireless systems. The Final Report was 
prepared under the leadership of the Office of Engineering and 
Technology, in cooperation with the Mass Media Bureau, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, and the International Bureau.
    2. The 2500-2690 MHz band was identified by the 2000 World 
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-2000) as candidate spectrum for 3G 
systems, along with the 806-960 MHz and 1710-1885 MHz bands. The WRC-
2000 results allow countries flexibility in deciding how to implement 
3G systems. The conference recognized that in many countries the 
frequency bands identified for 3G may already be in use by equally 
vital services. In the United States, the 2500-2690 MHz band is 
currently used by the Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) and 
Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS).
    3. The technical study of the 2500-2690 MHz band has been conducted 
in two stages. In an Interim Report in ET Docket No. 00-232, released 
November 15, 2000, the staff examined technical characteristics of 3G 
systems; the existing and planned use of the 2500-2690 MHz band; the 
ability for 3G systems to share spectrum with incumbent services; and 
possible options for segmenting the frequency band to provide spectrum 
for 3G systems. The Final Report reviews and evaluates the earlier 
analyses and evaluates additional topics, including potential alternate 
frequency bands for relocating ITFS/MDS operations and the costs 
associated with relocation.
    4. The study conducted by the FCC staff is a companion to a study 
done by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) on the 1755-1850 MHz band. The NTIA Interim Report (``Federal 
Operations in the 1755-1850 MHz Band: The Potential for Accommodating 
Third Generation Mobile Systems''), which was issued on November 15, 
2000, and the NTIA Final Report (``The Potential for Accommodating 
Third Generation Mobile Systems in the 1710-1850 MHz Band: Federal 
Operations, Relocation Costs, and Operational Impacts'') cover the same 
topics as the FCC staff reports. The FCC and NTIA band study reports 
are consistent with a Study Plan issued by Department of Commerce on 
October 20, 2000.
    5. Earlier this year, the Commission issued a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM) in ET Docket No. 00-258 on January 5, 2001, to 
examine and propose spectrum for allocation to fixed and mobile 
services that would be capable of being used to provide 3G wireless 
services. The NPRM recognized that a number of frequency bands, 
including the 1755-1850 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz bands, are capable of 
supporting advanced wireless systems, and invited comment on the 
Interim Reports issued by the FCC staff and NTIA. To provide a complete 
record on issues under review in ET Docket No. 00-258, the Commission 
seeks comment on the Final Reports of the 1755-1850 MHz and 2500-2690 
MHz band studies.
    6. We hereby solicit comment by April 16, 2001 on the issues raised 
in the Final Reports. Comments should be filed in ET Docket No. 00-258. 
Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing 
System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. Generally, only one electronic 
submission must be filed. If filing by paper, parties must file an 
original and four copies. Parties should send comments to the Office of 
the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, 
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Parties are also encouraged to file a 
copy of all pleadings on a 3.5 inch diskette in Word 97 format.
    7. Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic 
file via the Internet at http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. In 
completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full 
name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket number. 
Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To 
obtain filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send 
an e-mail to [email protected], and should include the following words in 
the body of the message: ``get form (your e-mail address).'' A sample 
form and directions will be sent in reply.
    8. The full texts of the FCC and NTIA Final Reports are available 
for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the 
FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. These documents may also be 
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International 
Transcription Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW, 20036., telephone 
202-857-3800, facsimile 202-857-3805, TTY 202-293-8810. You may also 
view the FCC Final Report at http://www.fcc.gov/3G/ and the NTIA Final 
Report at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/threeg/
    9. This matter shall be treated as a ``permit-but-disclose'' 
proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. See 47 
CFR 1.1200 and 1.1206. Persons making oral ex parte presentations are 
reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain 
summaries of the substance or the presentations

[[Page 18741]]

and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or 
two sentence description of the views and arguments presented generally 
is required. See 47 CFR 1.1206(b). Other rules pertaining to oral and 
written ex parte presentations in permit-but-disclose proceedings are 
set forth in 47 CFR 1.1206(b).
    10. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in sections 
4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(r); and pursuant to sections 0.31 and 0.241 of 
the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 0.31 and 0.241.
    11. For further information, contact Geraldine Matise, Office of 
Engineering and Technology, 202-418-2322 ([email protected]) or Rodney 
Small, Office of Engineering and Technology, 202-418-2452 
([email protected]).

    Federal Communications Commission.
Geraldine Matise,
Deputy Chief, Policy and Rules Division, Office of Engineering and 
Technology.
[FR Doc. 01-8841 Filed 4-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P