[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2730-2733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1206]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 15

[ET Docket No. 02-380; FCC 02-328]


Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of inquiry.

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SUMMARY: This document requests comments from the public on the 
possibility of permitting unlicensed devices to operate in additional 
frequency bands. Specifically, the Commission seeks comments on the 
feasibility of allowing unlicensed devices to operate in TV broadcast 
spectrum at locations and times when spectrum is not being used, and on 
the technical requirements that would be necessary to ensure that such 
devices do not cause interference to authorized services operating 
within the TV broadcast bands. The Commission also seeks comment on the 
feasibility of permitting unlicensed devices to operate in other bands, 
such as the 3650-3700 MHz band at power levels significantly higher 
than the maximum permitted for unlicensed devices in other frequency 
bands, with only the minimal technical requirements necessary to avoid 
interference to licensed and incumbent services. The Commission 
believes that these actions could have significant benefits to the 
economy, businesses and consumers by allowing the development of new 
and innovative types of unlicensed devices.

DATES: Written comments are due April 7, 2003, and reply comments are 
due May 6, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 
445 12th Street, SW., TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hugh L. Van Tuyl, Office of 
Engineering and Technology, (202) 418-7506, TTY (202) 418-2989, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Notice 
of Inquiry, ET Docket 02-380, FCC 02-328, adopted December 11, 2002, 
and released December 20, 2002. The full text of this document is 
available for inspection and copying during regular business hours in 
the FCC Reference Center (Room CY-A257), 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20554. The complete text of this document also may be 
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, Qualex International, 
445 12th Street, SW., Room, CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554. The full 
text may also be downloaded at: http://www.fcc.gov. Alternative formats 
are available to persons with disabilities by contacting Brian Millin 
at (202) 418-7426 or TTY (202) 418-7365.
    Pursuant to Sec. Sec.  1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 
47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments on or before 
April 7, 2003, and reply comments on or before May 6, 2003. Comments 
may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System 
(ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in 
Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121, May 1, 1998. Comments filed 
through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to 
http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. Generally, only one copy of an 
electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking 
numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters 
must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or 
rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the 
transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U.S. 
Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking 
number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-
mail. To get 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