[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17297]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 25

[GN Docket Nos. 17-183, 18-122; DA 18-640]


Notification of Temporary Filing Freeze on New Fixed-Satellite 
Service Space Station Applications in the 3.7-4.2 GHz Band

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final action.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the International Bureau (Bureau) announces 
a temporary freeze on the filing of new space station license 
applications and new requests for U.S. market access through non-U.S.-
licensed space stations to provide fixed-satellite service (FSS) in the 
3.7-4.2 GHz band.

DATES: The temporary freeze was effective June 21, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Bair, 202-418-0945 or Paul 
Blais, 202-418-7274.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
document, DA 18-640, released June 21, 2018. The full text of this 
document is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-640A1.pdf. It is also available for inspection and copying during 
business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 
12th Street SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. To request 
materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities, send an 
email to [email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs 
Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).
    Background. On August 3, 2017, the Commission released a Notice of 
Inquiry titled Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 
and 24 GHz (NOI). In that NOI, the Commission sought detailed comment 
on frequency bands that had garnered interest to potentially support 
increased flexible broadband uses, including the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. To 
preserve the current landscape of authorized operations pending 
Commission action as part of its ongoing inquiry into the possibility 
of permitting terrestrial broadband use and more intensive fixed use of 
the band (Mid-band Proceeding), the International, Public Safety and 
Homeland Security, and Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus announced a 
temporary freeze effective on April 19, 2018, on the filing of new or 
modification applications for FSS earth station licenses, FSS receive-
only earth station registrations, and fixed microwave licenses in the 
3.7-4.2 GHz frequency band. The Bureau also announced a 90-day filing 
window during which operators of existing, but unregistered or 
unlicensed, earth stations operating in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band could 
continue to file applications. See 83 FR 21746. The Bureau extended 
this filing window for an additional 90-days on June 21, 2018.
    Temporary Freeze. To further preserve the landscape of authorized 
operations in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band pending Commission action as part of 
its ongoing inquiry in the Mid-band Proceeding, the Bureau announces a 
temporary freeze, effective as of June 21, 2018, on the filing of new 
space station license applications and new requests for U.S. market 
access through non-U.S.-licensed space stations in the 3.7-4.2 GHz 
band. During the freeze, the International Bureau will dismiss any new 
space station license applications and new requests for access to the 
U.S. market through non-U.S.-licensed space stations, or those parts of 
any such applications and requests, that seek to operate in the 3.7-4.2 
GHz band. The freeze does not apply to applications for modification of 
existing authorizations, relocations of existing space stations 
pursuant to the Commission's fleet management policy, or to 
applications for replacement space stations.
    Waiver Requests. The International Bureau will consider requests 
for waiver of this freeze on a case-by-case basis and upon a 
demonstration that waiver will serve the public interest and not 
undermine the objectives of the freeze.
    This document does not contain proposed information collection 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 
104-13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any proposed 
information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act 
of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4). The Commission 
will not send a copy of this document pursuant to the Congressional 
Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A), because the adopted rules are 
rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice that do not 
``substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties.

Federal Communications Commission.
Troy Tanner,
Deputy Chief, International Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2018-17297 Filed 8-13-18; 8:45 am]
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