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 Code of Federal Regulations (Last Updated: November 8, 2024)
 Title 47 - Telecommunication
 Chapter I - Federal Communications Commission
 SubChapter B - Common Carrier Services
 Part 27 - Miscellaneous Wireless Communications Services
 Subpart A - General Information

  § 27.6 - Service areas.  

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  • § 27.6 Service areas.

    (a) Composition of service areas. WCS service areas include Economic Areas (EAs), Major Economic Areas (MEAs), Regional Economic Area Groupings (REAGs), cellular markets comprising Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Rural Service Areas (RSAs), and a nationwide area. MEAs and REAGs are defined in the Table immediately following paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Both MEAs and REAGs are based on the U.S. Department of Commerce's EAs. See 60 FR 13114 (March 10, 1995). In addition, the Commission shall separately license Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Gulf of Mexico, which have been assigned Commission-created EA numbers 173–176, respectively. The nationwide area is composed of the contiguous 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, the Gulf of Mexico, and the U.S. territories. Maps of the EAs, MEAs, MSAs, RSAs, and REAGs are available on the FCC's website at www.fcc.gov/auctions through the “Maps” submenu.

    (1) The 52 MEAs are composed of one or more EAs and the 12 REAGs are composed of one or more MEAs, as defined in the table below:

    REAGs MEAs EAs
    1 (Northeast)1 (Boston)1–3.
    2 (New York City)4–7, 10.
    3 (Buffalo)8.
    4 (Philadelphia)11–12.
    2 (Southeast)5 (Washington)13–14.
    6 (Richmond)15–17, 20.
    7 (Charlotte-Greensboro-Greenville-Raleigh)18–19, 21–26, 41–42, 46.
    8 (Atlanta)27–28, 37–40, 43.
    9 (Jacksonville)29, 35.
    10 (Tampa-St. Petersburg-Orlando)30, 33–34.
    11 (Miami)31–32.
    3 (Great Lakes)12 (Pittsburgh)9, 52–53.
    13 (Cincinnati-Dayton)48–50.
    14 (Columbus)51.
    15 (Cleveland)54–55.
    16 (Detroit)56–58, 61–62.
    17 (Milwaukee)59–60, 63, 104–105, 108.
    18 (Chicago)64–66, 68, 97, 101.
    19 (Indianapolis)67.
    20 (Minneapolis-St. Paul)106–107, 109–114, 116.
    21 (Des Moines-Quad Cities)100, 102–103, 117.
    4 (Mississippi Valley)22 (Knoxville)44–45.
    23 (Louisville-Lexington-Evansville)47, 69–70, 72.
    24 (Birmingham)36, 74, 78–79.
    25 (Nashville)71.
    26 (Memphis-Jackson)73, 75–77.
    27 (New Orleans-Baton Rouge)80–85.
    28 (Little Rock)90–92, 95.
    29 (Kansas City)93, 99, 123.
    30 (St. Louis)94, 96, 98.
    5 (Central)31 (Houston)86–87, 131.
    32 (Dallas-Fort Worth)88–89, 127–130, 135, 137–138.
    33 (Denver)115, 140–143.
    34 (Omaha)118–121.
    35 (Wichita)122.
    36 (Tulsa)124.
    37 (Oklahoma City)125–126.
    38 (San Antonio)132–134.
    39 (El Paso-Albuquerque)136, 139, 155–157.
    40 (Phoenix)154, 158–159.
    6 (West)41 (Spokane-Billings)144–147, 168.
    42 (Salt Lake City)148–150, 152.
    43 (San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose)151, 162–165.
    44 (Los Angeles-San Diego)153, 160–161.
    45 (Portland)166–167.
    46 (Seattle)169–170.
    7 (Alaska)47 (Alaska)171.
    8 (Hawaii)48 (Hawaii)172.
    9 (Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands)49 (Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands)173.
    10 (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)50 (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)174.
    11 (American Samoa)51 (American Samoa)175.
    12 (Gulf of Mexico)52 (Gulf of Mexico)176.

    (2) The Gulf of Mexico EA extends from 12 nautical miles off the U.S. Gulf coast outward into the Gulf.

    (b) 746–758 MHz, 775–788 MHz, and 805–806 MHz bands. WCS service areas for the 746–758 MHz, 775–788 MHz, and 805–806 MHz bands are as follows.

    (1) Service areas for Block A in the 757–758 MHz and 787–788 MHz bands and Block B in the 775–776 MHz and 805–806 MHz bands are based on Major Economic Areas (MEAs), as defined in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.

    (2) Service areas for Block C in the 746–757 MHz and 776–787 MHz bands are based on Regional Economic Area Groupings (REAGs) as defined by paragraph (a) of this section. In the event that no licenses with respect to service areas for Block C in the 746–757 MHz and 776–787 MHz bands are assigned based on the results of the first auction in which such licenses are offered because the auction results do not satisfy the applicable reserve price, then service areas for the spectrum at 746–757 MHz and 776–787 MHz will instead be available for assignment as follows:

    (i) Service areas for Block C1 in the 746–752 MHz and 776–782 MHz bands are based on Economic Areas (EAs) as defined in paragraph (a) of this section.

    (ii) Service areas for Block C2 in the 752–757 MHz and 782–787 MHz bands are based on Regional Economic Area Groupings (REAGs) as defined by paragraph (a) of this section.

    (c) 698–746 MHz band. WCS service areas for the 698–746 MHz band are as follows:

    (1) Service areas for Block A in the 698–704 MHz and 728–734 MHz bands and Block E in the 722–728 MHz band are based on Economic Areas (EAs) as defined in paragraph (a) of this section.

    (2) Service areas for Block B in the 704–710 MHz and 734–740 MHz bands and Block C in the 710–716 MHz and 740–746 MHz bands are based on cellular markets comprising Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Rural Service Areas (RSAs) as defined by Public Notice Report No. CL–92–40 “Common Carrier Public Mobile Services Information, Cellular MSA/RSA Markets and Counties,” dated January 24, 1992, DA 92–109, 7 FCC Rcd 742 (1992), with the following modifications:

    (i) The service areas of cellular markets that border the U.S. coastline of the Gulf of Mexico extend 12 nautical miles from the U.S. Gulf coastline.

    (ii) The service area of cellular market 306 that comprises the water area of the Gulf of Mexico extends from 12 nautical miles off the U.S. Gulf coast outward into the Gulf.

    (3) Service areas for Block D in the 716–722 MHz band are based on Economic Area Groupings (EAGs) as defined by the Federal Communications Commission. See 62 FR 15978 (April 3, 1997) extended with the Gulf of Mexico. See also paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section and 62 FR 9636 (March 3, 1997), in which the Commission created an additional four economic area-like areas for a total of 176. Maps of the EAGs and the Federal Register Notice that established the 172 Economic Areas (EAs) are available for public inspection and copying at through the Federal Communications Commission's Reference Information Center, located at the address of the FCC's main office indicated in 47 CFR 0. 401(a). These maps and data are also available on the FCC Web site website at httphttps://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/maps/areas/.

    (i) There are 6 EAGs, which are composed of multiple EAs as defined in the table below:

    Economic area groupings Name Economic areas
    EAG001Northeast1–11, 54.
    EAG002Mid-Atlantic12–26, 41, 42, 44–53, 70.
    EAG003Southeast27–40, 43, 69, 71–86, 88–90, 95, 96, 174, 176 (part).
    EAG004Great Lakes55–68, 97, 100–109.
    EAG005Central/Mountain87, 91–94, 98, 99, 110–146, 148, 149, 152, 154–159, 176 (part).
    EAG006Pacific147, 150, 151, 153, 160–173, 175.
    Note 1 to paragraph (c)(3)(i):

    Economic Area Groupings are defined by the Federal Communications Commission; see 62 FR 15978 (April 3, 1997) extended with the Gulf of Mexico.

    Note 2 to paragraph (c)(3)(i):

    Economic Areas are defined by the Regional Economic Analysis Division, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce February 1995 and extended by the Federal Communications Commission, see 62 FR 9636 (March 3, 1997).

    (ii) For purposes of paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section, EA 176 (the Gulf of Mexico) will be divided between EAG003 (the Southeast EAG) and EAG005 (the Central/Mountain EAG) in accordance with the configuration of the Eastern/Central and Western Planning Area established by the Mineral Management Services Bureau of the Department of the Interior (MMS). That portion of EA 176 contained in the Eastern and Central Planning Areas as defined by MMS will be included in EAG003; that portion of EA 176 contained in the Western Planning Area as defined by MMS will be included in EAG005. Maps of these areas may be found on the MMS Web site: http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/offshore/offshore.html.

    (d) 1390–1392 MHz band. Service areas for the 1390–1392 MHz band is based on Major Economic Areas (MEAs), as defined in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.

    (e) The paired 1392–1395 and 1432–1435 MHz bands. Service areas for the paired 1392–1395 and 1432–1435 MHz bands are as follows. Service areas for Block A in the 1392–1393.5 MHz and 1432–1433.5 MHz bands and Block B in the 1393.5–1395 MHz and 1433.5–1435 MHz bands are based on Economic Area Groupings (EAGs) as defined in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

    (f) 1670–1675 MHz band. Service areas for the 1670–1675 MHz band are available on a nationwide basis.

    (g) [Reserved]

    (h) 1710–1755 and 2110–2155 MHz bands. AWS service areas for the 1710–1755 MHz and 2110–2155 MHz bands are as follows:

    (1) Service areas for Block A (1710–1720 MHz and 2110–2120 MHz) are based on cellular markets comprising Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Rural Service Areas (RSAs) as defined by Public Notice Report No. CL–92–40 “Common Carrier Public Mobile Services Information, Cellular MSA/RSA Markets and Counties,” dated January 24, 1992, DA 92–109, 7 FCC Rcd 742 (1992), with the following modifications:

    (i) The service areas of cellular markets that border the U.S. coastline of the Gulf of Mexico extend 12 nautical miles from the U.S. Gulf coastline.

    (ii) The service area of cellular market 306 that comprises the water area of the Gulf of Mexico extends from 12 nautical miles off the U.S. Gulf coast outward into the Gulf.

    (2) Service areas for Blocks B (1720–1730 MHz and 2120–2130 MHz) and C (1730–1735 MHz and 2130–2135 MHz) are based on Economic Areas (EAs) as defined in paragraph (a) of this section.

    (3) Service areas for blocks D (1735–1740 MHz and 2135–2140 MHz), E (1740–1745 MHz and 2140–2145 MHz) and F (1745–1755 MHz and 2145–2155 MHz) are based on Regional Economic Area Groupings (REAGs) as defined by paragraph (a) of this section.

    (i) 2000–2020 MHz and 2180–2200 MHz bands. AWS service areas for the 2000–2020 MHz and 2180–2200 MHz bands are based on Economic Areas (EAs) as defined in paragraph (a) of this section.

    (j) 1915–1920 MHz and 1995–2000 MHz bands. AWS service areas for the 1915–1920 MHz and 1995–2000 MHz bands are based on Economic Areas (EAs) as defined in paragraph (a) of this section.

    (k) 1695–1710 MHz, 1755–1780 MHz, and 2155–2180 MHz bands. AWS service areas for the 1695–1710 MHz, 1755–1780 MHz, and 2155–2180 MHz bands are as follows:

    (1) Service areas for Block G (1755–1760 MHz and 2155–2160 MHz) are based on cellular markets comprising Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Rural Service Areas (RSAs) as defined by Public Notice Report No. CL–92–40 “Common Carrier Public Mobile Services Information, Cellular MSA/RSA Markets and Counties,” dated January 24, 1992, DA 92–109, 7 FCC Rcd 742 (1992), with the following modifications:

    (i) The service areas of cellular markets that border the U.S. coastline of the Gulf of Mexico extend 12 nautical miles from the U.S. Gulf coastline.

    (ii) The service area of cellular market 306 that comprises the water area of the Gulf of Mexico extends from 12 nautical miles off the U.S. Gulf coast outward into the Gulf.

    (2) Service areas for Blocks H (1760–1765 MHz and 2160–2165 MHz), I (1765–1770 MHz and 2165–2170 MHz), J (1770–1780 MHz and 2170–2180 MHz), A1 (1695–1700 MHz) and B1 (1700–1710 MHz) are based on Economic Areas (EAs) as defined in paragraph (a) of this section.

    (l) 600 MHz band. Service areas for the 600 MHz band are based on Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) as defined by Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Provides Details About Partial Economic Areas, Public Notice, 29 FCC Rcd 6491, App. B (2014). The service areas of PEAs that border the U.S. coastline of the Gulf of Mexico extend 12 nautical miles from the U.S. Gulf coastline. The service area of the Gulf of Mexico PEA (PEA 416) that comprises the water area of the Gulf of Mexico extends from 12 nautical miles off the U.S. Gulf coast outward into the Gulf.

    (m) 3700–3980 MHz Band. Service areas in the 3.7 GHz Service are based on Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) as defined by appendix A to this subpart (see Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Provides Details About Partial Economic Areas, DA 14–759, Public Notice, released June 2, 2014, for more information). The 3.7 GHz Service will be licensed in the contiguous United States, i.e., the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia as defined by Partial Economic Areas Nos. 1–41, 43–211, 213–263, 265–297, 299–359, and 361–411. The service areas of PEAs that border the U.S. coastline of the Gulf of Mexico extend 12 nautical miles from the U.S. Gulf coastline. The 3.7 GHz Service will not be licensed for the following PEAs:

    Table 3 to Paragraph (m)

    PEA No. PEA name
    42Honolulu, HI.
    212Anchorage, AK.
    264Kodiak, AK.
    298Fairbanks, AK.
    360Juneau, AK.
    412Puerto Rico.
    413Guam-Northern Mariana Islands.
    414US Virgin Islands.
    415American Samoa.

    (n) 3450–3550 MHz Band. Service areas in the 3.45 GHz Service are based on Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) as defined by appendix A to this subpart.

    [62 FR 9658, Mar. 3, 1997]

    Editorial Note

    Editorial Note:

    For Federal Register citations affecting § 27.6, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.