[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 133 (Friday, July 10, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41416-41422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12007]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 90

[WP Docket No. 15-32, RM-11572; FCC 20-62; FRS 16797]


Creation of Interstitial 12.5 Kilohertz Channels in the 800 MHz 
Band Between 809-817/854-862 MHz

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission grants in part and denies in 
part a petition for reconsideration seeking modification and 
clarification of certain technical rules adopted in a 2018 Report and 
Order for coordinating interstitial channels in the 809-817/854-862 MHz 
band (800 MHz Mid-Band). In particular, the document allows some 
applicants for interstitial applications to streamline their 
applications, clarifies standards for calculating interference contours 
that define the distances that must be maintained between interstitial 
and incumbent stations and refines certain technical elements of the 
interstitial channel rules.

DATES: Effective August 10, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Marenco, Policy and Licensing 
Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, (202) 418-0838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Order 
on Reconsideration, FCC 20-62, adopted on May 11, 2020 and released on 
May 12, 2020. The complete text of this document is available for 
inspection and copying during normal 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 (Braille, large print, electronic files, 
audio format), send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer & 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 
(TTY). The complete text of the order also is available on the 
Commission's website at http://www.fcc.gov.

Synopsis

    1. On October 22, 2018 (83 FR 61072 (Nov. 27, 2018)), the 
Commission released a Report and Order which created 318 new 
``interstitial'' channels in the 800 MHz Mid-Band to alleviate 
increased demand for spectrum capacity from public safety and other 
Private Land Mobile Radio (PLMR) users. Following adoption of the 
Report and Order, the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) filed a 
petition for reconsideration on December 27, 2018 seeking modification 
and clarification of some of the technical rules for coordinating 
interstitial channel applications.
    2. In its petition, LMCC asks the Commission to clarify or 
reconsider four aspects of the contour overlap analysis required by the 
PLMR Report and Order. First, LMCC asks the Commission to clarify in 
its rules that applicants need not perform contour overlap analysis if 
the spacing between stations meets or exceeds co-channel distance 
separation criteria specified in the rules. Second, LMCC asks the 
Commission to permit interstitial applicants to use the proposed 
station's coverage contour rather than its interference contour to 
predict the area in which the station is likely to cause interference. 
Although the Commission rejected this proposal in the Report and Order, 
LMCC asks the Commission to revisit that determination. Third, LMCC 
urges the Commission to reconsider its decision in the Report and Order 
not to allow interstitial applicants to calculate contour values based 
on a matrix chart that LMCC proposes to maintain and update on its 
website. Finally, LMCC asks the Commission to modify a footnote in a 
short-spacing separation table added to the Commission's rules by the 
Report and Order.
    3. In its Order on Reconsideration, the Commission modifies its 
rules to specify that applications for interstitial channels do not 
need to conduct a contour analysis if the distances in the Commission's 
co-channel spacing rules are met or exceeded. It also updates its rules 
to include a revised matrix that uses contour values based on 
interference and not coverage to predict interference. The Commission 
once again rejects LMCC's request to allow applicants to use a matrix 
posted on the LMCC website rather than one codified in the Commission's 
rules. Further, the Commission clarifies that applicants for 
interstitial channels should assume that incumbent stations are 
operating at the maximum permitted effective radiated power associated 
with the station's licensed antenna height when calculating the 
potential of the new station to cause interference to the incumbent. 
Finally, the Commission corrects a few clerical errors and omissions in 
its rules.

Procedural Matters

A. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    4. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA), 
requires that an agency prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for 
notice and comment rulemakings, unless the agency certifies that ``the 
rule will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.'' A Final Regulatory Flexibility 
Certification on the economic impact of the rule changes adopted in the 
order is set forth in Appendix A of the Order on Reconsideration.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis

    5. The Order on Reconsideration contains no new information 
collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA), Public Law 104-13. The Commission's Consumer and Governmental 
Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, will send a copy of the 
Order on Reconsideration to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small 
Business Administration.

[[Page 41417]]

C. Congressional Review Act

    6. The Commission has determined, and the Administrator of the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, concurs that this rule is non-major under the Congressional 
Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 804(2). The Commission will send a copy of this 
Order on Reconsideration to Congress and the Government Accountability 
Office pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).

Final Regulatory Flexibility Certification

    7. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA), 
requires that a regulatory flexibility analysis be prepared for notice-
and-comment rulemaking proceedings, unless the agency certifies that 
``the rule will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities.'' The RFA generally defines 
the term ``small entity'' as having the same meaning as the terms 
``small business,'' ``small organization,'' and ``small governmental 
jurisdiction.'' In addition, the term ``small business'' has the same 
meaning as the term ``small business concerns'' under the Small 
Business Act. A ``small business concern'' is one that: (1) Is 
independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of 
operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the 
Small Business Administration (SBA).
    8. An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was 
incorporated in the Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) released in 
these proceedings. The Commission sought written public comment on the 
proposals in the NPRMs, including comment on the IRFAs. No comments 
were filed addressing the IRFAs. A Final Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis (FRFA) was incorporated in the PLMR Report and Order released 
in October 2018, which is subject to review in the Order on 
Reconsideration.
    9. In the Order on Reconsideration, the Commission clarified that 
Mid-Band applicants need not conduct contour analyses if their spacing 
to co- or adjacent- channel stations exceeds the minimum co-channel 
spacing criteria in the Commission's rules. It also corrected duplicate 
channel listings in the rules, supplied channels that were 
inadvertently omitted and deleted channels that should not have been 
included. In so doing the Commission reduced burdens for potential 
applicants who otherwise would have to perform unneeded contour 
analyses and could have been required to amend their applications had 
they relied on inaccurate information in the rules.
    10. The Commission determined that the impact on the entities 
affected by the rule change will be not significant. The effect is to 
allow those entities, including small entities, greater understanding 
of the essentials of filing an application for Mid-Band channels and 
avoidance of unnecessary effort associated with provision of contour 
analyses. The reduction in paperwork, application processing time, and 
regulatory delays will be beneficial to small businesses as well as to 
all affected entities.
    11. The Commission therefore certifies that the requirements of the 
Order on Reconsideration will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. The Commission will send a copy 
of the Order on Reconsideration including a copy of this Final 
Regulatory Flexibility Certification, in a report to Congress pursuant 
to the Congressional Review Act. In addition, the Order on 
Reconsideration and this final certification will be sent to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA and will be published in the Federal 
Register.

Ordering Clauses

    12. Accordingly, it is ordered, pursuant to the authority contained 
in sections 4(i), 303(g), 303(r), and 405 of the Communications Act of 
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 303(g), 303(r), 405, Sec.  1.429 of 
the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.429, and 553(b)(3)(B) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) that the Petition 
for Reconsideration filed December 27, 2018, by the Land Mobile 
Communications Council is granted to the extent discussed herein and in 
all other respects is denied.
    13. It is further ordered, pursuant to Sec.  1.103 of the 
Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.103, that the amendments to the 
Commission's rules as set forth hereof are adopted, effective 30 days 
after date of publication in the Federal Register.
    14. It is further ordered that the Commission's Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a 
copy of this Order on Reconsideration, including the Final Regulatory 
Flexibility Certification, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the 
Small Business Administration.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 90

    Radio.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.

Final Rules

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal 
Communications Commission amends 47 CFR part 90 as follows:

PART 90--PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES

0
1. The authority citation for part 90 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g), 303(r), 332(c)(7), 
1401-1473.


0
2. Amend Sec.  90.617 by revising Table 1A in paragraph (a)(2), Table 
1B in paragraph (a)(3), Table 2A in paragraph (b)(1), and Table 2B in 
paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  90.617  Frequencies in the 809.750-824/854.750-869 MHz, and 896-
901/935-940 MHz bands available for trunked, conventional or cellular 
system use in non-border areas.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *

 Table 1A--Public Safety Pool 806-813.5/851-858.5 MHz Band Channels for
                      Counties in Southeastern U.S.
                             [138 Channels]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Group No.                          Channel Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
261.............................  261-313-324-335-353
261a............................  261a-313a-324a-335a-353a
262.............................  262-314-325-336-354
262a............................  262a-314a-325a-336a-354a
265.............................  265-285-315-333-351
265a............................  265a-285a-315a-333a-351a
266.............................  266-286-316-334-352
266a............................  266a-286a-316a-334a-352a
269.............................  269-289-311-322-357
269a............................  269a-289a-311a-322a-357a
270.............................  270-290-312-323-355
270a............................  270a-290a-312a-323a-355a
271.............................  271-328-348-358-368
271a............................  271a-328a-348a-358a-368a
279.............................  279-299-317-339-359
279a............................  279a-299a-317a-339a-359a
280.............................  280-300-318-340-360
280a............................  280a-300a-318a-340a-360a
309.............................  309-319-329-349-369
309a............................  309a-319a-329a-349a-369a
310.............................  310-320-330-350-370
310a............................  310a-320a-330a-350a
321.............................  321-331-341-361-372
321a............................  321a-331a-341a-361a
Single Channels.................  326, 327, 332, 337, 338, 342, 343,
                                   344, 345, 356, 326a, 327a, 332a,
                                   337a, 338a, 342a, 343a, 344a, 345a,
                                   356a
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) * * *

[[Page 41418]]



 Table 1B--Public Safety Pool 806-813.5/851-858.5 MHz Band Channels for
                               Atlanta, GA
                             [138 Channels]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Group No.                          Channel Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
261.............................  261-313-324-335-353
261a............................  261a-313a-324a-335a-353a
262.............................  262-314-325-336-354
262a............................  262a-314a-325a-336a-354a
269.............................  269-289-311-322-357
269a............................  269a-289a-311a-322a-357a
270.............................  270-290-312-323-355
270a............................  270a-290a-312a-323a-355a
279.............................  279-299-319-339-359
279a............................  279a-299a-319a-339a-359a
280.............................  280-300-320-340-360
280a............................  280a-300a-320a-340a-360a
285.............................  285-315-333-351-379
285a............................  285a-315a-333a-351a-379a
286.............................  286-316-334-352-380
286a............................  286a-316a-334a-352a-380a
309.............................  309-329-349-369-389
309a............................  309a-329a-349a-369a-389a
310.............................  310-330-350-370-390
310a............................  310a-330a-350a-370a
321.............................  321-331-341-361-381
321a............................  321a-331a-341a-361a-381a
328.............................  328-348-358-368-388
328a............................  328a-348a-358a-368a-388a
Single Channels.................  317, 318, 326, 327, 332, 337, 338,
                                   356, 371, 372
                                  317a, 318a, 326a, 327a, 332a, 337a,
                                   338a, 356a, 371a
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *

  Table 2A--Business/Industrial/Land Transportation Pool 806-813.5/851-
            858.5 MHz Band for Channels in Southeastern U.S.
                             [137 Channels]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Channel Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Channels.................  263, 264, 267, 268, 272, 273, 274,
                                   275, 276, 277, 278, 281, 282, 283,
                                   284, 287, 288, 291, 292, 293, 294,
                                   295, 296, 297, 298, 301, 302, 303,
                                   304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 346, 347,
                                   362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 379,
                                   380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386,
                                   387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393,
                                   394, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404,
                                   405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410
                                  263a, 264a, 267a, 268a, 272a, 273a,
                                   274a, 275a, 276a, 277a, 278a, 281a,
                                   282a, 283a, 284a, 287a, 288a, 291a,
                                   292a, 293a, 294a, 295a, 296a, 297a,
                                   298a, 301a, 302a, 303a, 304a, 305a,
                                   306a, 307a, 308a, 346a, 347a, 362a,
                                   363a, 364a, 365a, 366a, 367a, 379a,
                                   380a, 381a, 382a, 383a, 384a, 385a,
                                   386a, 387a, 388a, 389a, 390a, 391a,
                                   392a, 393a, 394a, 399a, 400a, 401a,
                                   402a, 403a, 404a, 405a, 406a, 407a,
                                   408a, 409a
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) * * *

  Table 2B--Business/Industrial/Land Transportation Pool 806-813.5/851-
               858.5 MHz Band for Channels in Atlanta, GA
                             [137 Channels]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Channel Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Channels.................  263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 271,
                                   272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278,
                                   281, 282, 283, 284, 287, 288, 291,
                                   292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298,
                                   301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307,
                                   308, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347,
                                   362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 382,
                                   383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 391, 392,
                                   393, 394, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403,
                                   404, 405, 406, 407, 409, 410
                                  263a, 264a, 265a, 266a, 267a, 268a,
                                   271a, 272a, 273a, 274a, 275a, 276a,
                                   277a, 278a, 281a, 282a, 283a, 284a,
                                   287a, 288a, 291a, 292a, 293a, 294a,
                                   295a, 296a, 297a, 298a, 301a, 302a,
                                   303a, 304a, 305a, 306a, 307a, 308a,
                                   342a, 343a, 344a, 345a, 346a, 347a,
                                   362a, 363a, 364a, 365a, 366a, 367a,
                                   382a, 383a, 384a, 385a, 386a, 387a,
                                   391a, 392a, 393a, 394a, 399a, 400a,
                                   401a, 402a, 403a, 404a, 405a, 406a,
                                   407a, 409a
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

0
3. Amend Sec.  90.619 by revising paragraph (a)(5) introductory text 
and paragraph (a)(5)(ii) to read as follows:


Sec.  90.619  Operations within the U.S./Mexico and U.S./Canada border 
areas.

    (a) * * *
    (5) Channels in the Sharing Zone are available for licensing as 
indicated in Table A3 to this paragraph (a)(5).

     Table A3--Eligibility Requirements for Channels in Sharing Zone
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Channels                     Eligibility requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-230...........................  Report and Order in Gen. Docket No. 87-
                                   112.
231-315a........................  Public Safety Pool.
316-550.........................  General Category.
551-830.........................  Special Mobilized Radio for 800 MHz
                                   High Density Cellular.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (ii) Channels 231-315a are available to applicants eligible in the 
Public Safety Category which consists of licensees eligible in the 
Public Safety Pool of subpart B of this part. 800 MHz high density 
cellular systems as defined in Sec.  90.7 are prohibited on these 
channels.
* * * * *

0
4. Amend Sec.  90.621 by revising paragraphs (b) introductory text, (d) 
introductory text, and (d)(1) through (3) to read as follows.


Sec.  90.621  Selection and assignment of frequencies.

* * * * *
    (b) Stations authorized on frequencies listed in this subpart, 
except for those stations authorized pursuant to paragraph (g) of this 
section and EA-based and MTA-based SMR systems, will be assigned co-
channel frequencies solely on the basis of distance between fixed 
stations. In addition, contour overlap as detailed in paragraph (d) of 
this section will be the basis for geographic separation between fixed 
stations operating on adjacent-channel frequencies in the 809-817 MHz/
854-862 MHz sub-band, except where such fixed stations meet the 
distance separation criteria set out in this paragraph (b).
* * * * *
    (d) Geographic separation between fixed stations operating on 
adjacent channels in the 809-817/854-862 MHz Mid-Band segment must be 
based on lack of contour overlap as detailed in paragraphs (d)(1) 
through (4), unless the co-channel distance separation criteria in 
paragraph (b) of this section are met.
    (1) Forward contour analysis. An applicant seeking to license a 
fixed station on a channel in the 809-817 MHz/854-862 MHz band segment 
will only be granted if the applicant's proposed interference contour 
creates

[[Page 41419]]

no overlap with the 40 dBu F(50,50) contour of an incumbent operating a 
fixed station on an upper- or lower-adjacent channel. The applicant's 
interference contour is determined using the dBu level listed in the 
appropriate table in paragraph (d)(3) of this section. For this 
analysis the applicant shall plot the interference contour of its 
proposed fixed station at its proposed ERP but assume that any 
adjacent-channel incumbent licensee is operating at the maximum 
permitted ERP for the licensed antenna height.
    (2) Reciprocal contour analysis. In addition to the contour 
analysis described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, any applicant 
seeking to license a fixed station on a channel in the 809-817 MHz/854-
862 MHz band segment must also pass a reciprocal contour analysis. 
Under the reciprocal analysis, the interference contour, F(50,10) of an 
incumbent operating a fixed station on an upper- or lower-adjacent 
channel must create no contour overlap with the proposed 40 dBu 
F(50,50) contour of the applicant's fixed station. The incumbent's 
interference contour is determined using the dBu level listed in the 
appropriate table in paragraph (d)(3) of this section. For this 
analysis the applicant shall plot the coverage contour of its fixed 
station, F(50,50), at its proposed ERP and antenna height above average 
terrain but plot the interference contour, F(50,10), of any adjacent-
channel incumbent licensee at its maximum permitted ERP for the 
licensed antenna height.
    (3) Contour matrix. Interference contour levels for the contour 
analysis described in paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section are 
determined using Table 4 or Table 5 to this paragraph (d)(3). Table 4 
is used to determine the interference contour F(50,10) level of a fixed 
station operating on a 12.5 kilohertz bandwidth channel while Table 5 
is used to determine the interference contour F(50,10) level of a fixed 
station operating on a 25 kilohertz bandwidth channel. The dBu level of 
the interference contour is determined by cross-referencing the 
modulation type of the station operating on the 25 kilohertz bandwidth 
channel with the modulation type of the station operating on the 12.5 
kilohertz bandwidth channel.
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[FR Doc. 2020-12007 Filed 7-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-C