[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8982-8983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4798]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 02-361]


Current and Future Spectrum Use by the Energy, Water, and 
Railroad Industries

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In this document the FCC seeks comment on the findings of the 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration Report, 
released January 30, 2002, titled ``Current and Future Spectrum Use by 
the Energy, Water, and Railroad Industries''. Congress requires the FCC 
to submit a report to Congress addressing any needs identified from 
NTIA's Report. Comments received on NTIA's report will aid the 
Commission in preparing its report to Congress.

DATES: Written comments are due on or before March 6, 2002 and reply 
comments are due on or before March 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 
445 Twelfth Street, SW., TW-325, Washington, DC 20054.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: . John J. Schauble, Esq., Chief, 
Policy and Rules Branch, Public Safety and private Wireless Division, 
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-0680, or via e-mail to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The full text of the NTIA Report, comments 
and reply comments will be available for public inspection and 
duplication during regular business hours at the FCC Reference 
Information Center (RIC) of the Consumer Information Bureau (CIB), 
Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Room CY-
A257, Washington, DC, 20554. The full text of the NTIA Report is also 
available at NTIA's Web site at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/reports.html. This document may also be purchased from the Commission's 
duplicating contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th 
Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, DC 20036, telephone 
(202) 863-2393; facsimile (202) 863-2898, or via e-mail 
[email protected]. For further information regarding the public 
reference file for the Report contact Maria Ringold, Chief, Wireless 
Branch, RIC, (202) 418-1355.
    1. On January 30, 2002, the U.S. Department of Commerce, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a 
Report entitled ``Current and Future Spectrum Use by the Energy, Water, 
and Railroad Industries'' (NTIA Report). This report was mandated by 
Public Law Number (PL No.) 106-533. Under this legislation, NTIA was 
directed to submit to the U.S. Congress a study of current and future 
spectrum use by providers of energy, water, and railroad services to 
protect and maintain the nation's critical infrastructure. The statute 
also requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit a 
subsequent report to Congress addressing any needs identified in NTIA's 
study.
    2. The NTIA Report contains a compilation of the responses received 
to its ``Request for Comments'' from members of the utilities industry 
and various trade organizations. In its ``Request for Comments,'' NTIA 
sought information on any issue of fact, law or policy that might 
inform the agency about spectrum requirements of the industry taking 
into account growth, new technology, and future applications. NTIA also 
received information from federal governmental departments and agencies 
that exercise oversight of energy, water and railroad industries, as 
well as from industry certified frequency coordinators. The Report also 
reflects the information received from members of the Interdepartment 
Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC). Information also was

[[Page 8983]]

obtained from the Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN).
    3. In the NTIA Report, NTIA found that energy, water and railroad 
services are primary components of the nation's critical infrastructure 
and that the continued use of spectrum is essential to the current and 
future operations of these industries. The NTIA Report submits that 
without adequate radio spectrum, providers of energy, water and 
railroad services would be unable to address major service 
interruptions due to natural disaster, equipment malfunctions or in 
some cases, terrorist activities. According to NTIA, these industries 
believe that additional spectrum is needed--specifically for exclusive 
use--because of existing congestion problems. Commenters stated that 
commercial wireless services do not adequately service these 
industries' needs due to issues of compatibility, reliability, and 
cost-effectiveness. The NTIA Report also finds a lack of consensus 
among the commenters as to where new spectrum can be reallocated or 
obtained. NTIA received limited response on the issue of whether these 
industries use spectrum-efficient technology. NTIA concludes that it is 
unable to validate the specific spectrum requirements of the energy, 
water and railroad industries. It suggests, however, that the 
industries' needs may be addressed by use of advanced communications 
technology or newly allocated frequency bands.
    4. All Parties should reference the NTIA report including the DA 
number of this Public Notice, a copy of each filing should be sent to 
(1) Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-
B402, Washington, DC 20554, DC 20036, telephone (202) 863-2393; (2) 
John J. Schauble, Esq., Federal Communications Commission, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, 
Policy and Rules Branch, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Room 4-C336, 
Washington, DC 20554; and (3) Maria Ringold, Federal Communications 
Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, Reference Information Center, 
445 Twelfth Street, SW., Room CY-B529, Washington, DC 20554.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-4798 Filed 2-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P