96-20082. Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 7, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 41006-41019]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-20082]
    
    
    =======================================================================
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
    
    47 CFR Parts 1, 2, 15, 24 and 97
    
    [ET Docket No. 93-62; FCC 96-326]
    
    
    Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of 
    Radiofrequency Radiation
    
    AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The Report and Order (``R&O'') amends the Commission's Rules 
    to adopt new guidelines and methods for evaluating the environmental 
    effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation from FCC-regulated 
    transmitters, in accordance with The National Environmental Policy Act 
    (NEPA) of 1969. NEPA requires agencies of the Federal Government to 
    evaluate the effects of their actions on the quality of the human 
    environment. To meet the Commission's responsibilities under NEPA, the 
    Commission has adopted revised RF exposure guidelines for purposes of 
    evaluating potential environmental effects of RF radiation. The new 
    guidelines reflect more recent scientific studies of the biological 
    effects of RF radiation. Use of the new guidelines will ensure that the 
    public and workers receive adequate protection from exposure to 
    potentially harmful RF field.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: August 6, 1996.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FCC RF Safety Program, (202) 418-2422, 
    Office of Engineering and Technology.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Report 
    and Order in ET Docket No. 93-62, FCC 96-326, adopted August 1, 1996 
    and released August 1, 1996. The complete text of this Report and Order 
    is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in 
    the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, 
    D.C., and also may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, 
    International Transcription Services, Inc., (202) 857-3800, 2100 M 
    Street, NW, Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037.
    
    Summary of the Report and Order
    
        1. By this action, we are amending the Commission's Rules to adopt 
    new guidelines and methods for evaluating the environmental effects of 
    radiofrequency (RF) radiation from FCC-regulated transmitters. We are 
    adopting Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits for electric and 
    magnetic field strength and power density for transmitters operating at 
    frequencies from 300 kHz to 100 GHz. Specifically, we are adopting 
    limits for field strength and power density that are generally based on 
    Sections 17.4.1 and 17.4.2 and the time-averaging provisions 
    recommended in Sections 17.4.1.1 and 17.4.3 of ``Biological Effects and 
    Exposure Criteria for Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields,'' NCRP 
    Report No. 86 (1986), National Council on Radiation Protection and 
    Measurements (NCRP). With the exception of the limits on exposure to 
    power density above
    
    [[Page 41007]]
    
    1500 MHz and the limits for exposure to lower frequency magnetic 
    fields, these MPE limits are also generally based on the guidelines 
    contained in the RF safety standard developed by the Institute of 
    Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) and adopted by the 
    American National Standards Institute (ANSI). See Section 4.1 of ANSI/
    IEEE C95.1-1992, ``Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to 
    Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz''. We are also 
    adopting limits for localized (``partial body'') absorption that will 
    apply to certain portable transmitting devices. These guidelines are 
    based on those recommended by ANSI/IEEE and NCRP. See Sections 4.2.1 
    and 4.2.2 of ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992 and Section 17.4.5 of NCRP Report No. 
    86. We believe that the guidelines we are adopting will protect the 
    public and workers from exposure to potentially harmful RF fields.
        2. In reaching our decision on the adoption of new RF exposure 
    guidelines we have carefully considered the large number of comments 
    submitted in this proceeding, and particularly those submitted by the 
    U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug 
    Administration (FDA) and other federal health and safety agencies. The 
    new guidelines we are adopting are based primarily on the 
    recommendations of those agencies, and we believe that these guidelines 
    represent a consensus view of the federal agencies responsible for 
    matters relating to the public safety and health.
        3. The MPE limits adopted herein are based on exposure criteria 
    quantified in terms of specific absorption rate (SAR), a measure of the 
    rate of RF energy absorption. The basis for these limits, as well as 
    the basis for the 1982 ANSI limits that the Commission previously 
    specified in our rules, is an SAR limit of 4 watts per kilogram. The 
    new MPE limits are derived by incorporating safety factors that lead, 
    in some cases, to limits that are more conservative than the limits 
    specified by ANSI in 1982. The more conservative limits do not arise 
    from a fundamental change in the RF safety criteria for SAR, but from a 
    precautionary desire for more rigor in the derivation of factors which 
    allow limits for MPE to be derived from SAR limits.
        4. This action satisfies the requirements of the Telecommunications 
    Act of 1996 for a timely resolution of this proceeding. We note that 
    research and analysis relating to RF safety and health is ongoing, and 
    changes in recommended exposure limits are possible in the future. In 
    that regard, we intend to continue our cooperative work with industry 
    and with the various agencies and organizations with responsibilities 
    in this area in order to ensure that our guidelines continue to be 
    appropriate and scientifically valid.
        5. Accordingly, it is ordered that Parts 1, 2, 15, 24 and 97 of the 
    Commission's Rules and Regulations are amended as specified below, 
    effective August 6, 1996. Section 704(b) of the Telecommunications Act 
    of 1996 requires that the Commission complete action in this 
    proceeding, and prescribe and make effective rules regarding the 
    environmental effects of RF emissions, by no later than August 6, 1996 
    (180 days after enactment)]. We find that good cause exists, pursuant 
    to 5 U.S.C. Sec. 553 (d)(3), to make these rules effective upon their 
    release rather than follow the normal practice of making them effective 
    30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Congress directed 
    the Commission to make these rules effective within 180 days. Sec. 704 
    of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 
    (1996) states that ``[w]ithin 180 days after the enactment of this Act, 
    the Commission shall complete action in ET Docket 93-62 to prescribe 
    and make effective rules regarding the environmental effects of radio 
    frequency emissions.'' Unlike other sections of that Act, see, e.g., 
    Secs. 251(d)(d)(1), which directs us to ``complete'' action, and Sec. 
    254(a)(2), which directs us to ``promulgate'' rules, Sec. 704 requires 
    that the RF exposure guidelines be made effective within the prescribed 
    180 day time period. Completion of this rule making has required an 
    extensive amount of work to resolve some extremely complex issues. In 
    addition, coordination with the various federal agencies pursuant to 
    the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee has consumed more time 
    than anticipated. The time required to review the comments, decide on 
    the best possible guidelines based on the scientific evidence and, 
    comments and to coordinate that decision with the other agencies has 
    made it impossible to delay the effective date for 30 days and still 
    meet the Congressionally imposed deadline. Thus, we have no alternative 
    but to make these rules effective immediately. The authority for 
    issuance of this Report and Order is contained in Sections 4(i), 7(a), 
    303(c), 303(f), 303(g), 303(r), and 332(c)(7) of the Communications Act 
    of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154(i), 157(a), 303(c), 303(f), 
    303(g), 303(r), and 332(c)(7) , unless otherwise noted.
    
    Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
    
        As required by Section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
    U.S.C. Sec. 603 (RFA), an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
    (IRFA) was incorporated in the Notice.1 The Commission sought 
    written public comments on the proposals in the Notice, including on 
    the IRFA. The Commission's Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) 
    in this Report and Order conforms to the RFA, as amended by the 
    Contract With America Advancement Act of 1996 (CWAAA), Pub. L. No. 104-
    121, 110 Stat. 847 (1996).2
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \1\ See Notice of Proposed Rule Making, ET Docket No. 93-62, 8 
    FCC Rcd 2849 (1993), 58 FR 19393 (April 14, 1993).
        \2\ Subtitle II of the CWAAA is ``The Small Business Regulatory 
    Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996'' (SBREFA), codified at 5 U.S.C. 
    Sec. 601 et seq.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    I. Need for and Purpose of this Action:
    
        The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires 
    agencies of the Federal Government to evaluate the effects of their 
    actions on the quality of the human environment. To meet its 
    responsibilities under NEPA, the Commission has adopted revised RF 
    exposure guidelines for purposes of evaluating potential environmental 
    effects of RF radiation from FCC-regulated facilities. The new 
    guidelines reflect more recent scientific studies of the biological 
    effects of RF radiation. Use of these new guidelines will ensure that 
    the public and workers receive adequate protection from exposure to 
    potentially harmful RF field.
    
    II. Summary of Issues Raised by the Public Comments in Response to the 
    Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
    
        No comments were filed in direct response to the IRFA. In general 
    comments on the Notice, however, some commenters raised issues that 
    might affect small entities. In particular, some commenters argued that 
    the cost of complying with the radio frequency (RF) limits could be 
    overly burdensome, and this could negatively impact small businesses. 
    They express concern that the cost of testing, with respect to devices 
    operating in close proximity to the body, is extremely expensive and 
    obtaining testing equipment could be difficult for small businesses. 
    For example, the National Association of Business and Educational 
    Radio, Inc. (NABER) encourages us to categorically exclude land mobile 
    transmitters, expressing concern that if categorical exclusions for 
    land mobile services are eliminated, manufacturers would have to 
    institute unnecessary and costly
    
    [[Page 41008]]
    
    testing.3 They also request that we limit the amount of paperwork 
    that is necessary for demonstrating compliance with the limits. In 
    particular, the Broadcast Joint Commenters suggest that additional 
    paperwork should not be required to establish compliance with the new 
    policies because it would be needlessly burdensome to the broadcasters 
    and to the Mass Media Bureau.4 As discussed in Section V of this 
    FRFA, we have attempted to address these concerns.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \3\ NABER Comments at 5-6.
        \4\ Broadcast Joint Commenters Reply Comments at 39-40.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    III. Description and estimate of the Small Entities Subject to the 
    Rules:
    
        The rules in this Report and Order will apply to the following 
    twelve industry categories and services. The RFA generally defines the 
    term ``small business'' as having the same meaning as the term ``small 
    business concern'' under the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 632. 
    Based on that statutory provision, we will consider a small business 
    concern one which (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). The 
    RFA SBREFA provisions also apply to nonprofit organizations and to 
    governmental organizations. Since the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
    amendments were not in effect until the record in this proceeding was 
    closed, the Commission was unable to request information regarding the 
    number of small business within each of these services or the number of 
    small business that would be affected by this action. We have, however, 
    made estimates based on our knowledge about applications that have been 
    submitted in the past. To the extent that a government entity may be a 
    licensee or an applicant, the impact on those entities is included in 
    the estimates for small businesses below.
        As discussed below, under the rules we are adopting many radio 
    services are categorically excluded from having to determine compliance 
    with the new RF radiation limits that are being adopted. This exclusion 
    is based on a determination that there is little potential for these 
    services causing exposures in excess of the limits. Within the services 
    below, many transmitting facilities are also categorically excluded 
    based on antenna location and power. These categorical exclusions 
    significantly reduce the burden associated with these rules, and may 
    reduce the impact of these rules on small businesses.
    A. Radiofrequency Devices
        The radiofrequency devices affected by this rulemaking are low 
    power, unlicensed transmitters that will be used to provide, on 
    millimeter wave frequencies, a variety of services, including vehicle 
    collision avoidance and high data rate/short range wireless data 
    communications. Unlicensed personal communications service (PCS) 
    transmitters are also radiofrequency devices. Radiofrequency devices 
    are subject to compliance with the new RF radiation requirements at the 
    time of equipment authorization. Therefore, it will be the equipment 
    manufacturers and importers who will be affected by this action.
        We expect most of the firms that would be interested in producing 
    millimeter wave and unlicensed PCS devices will be large businesses. We 
    note that Ford Motor and Hewlett Packard have expressed interest in 
    millimeter wave devices and filed comments in this proceeding. In 
    addition, Motorola and Ericsson Corporate, both large equipment 
    manufacturers, have expressed interest in manufacturing unlicensed PCS 
    devices. Nevertheless, it is conceivable that small businesses will 
    also want to manufacture these devices.
        The Commission has not developed a definition of small entities 
    applicable to radiofrequency devices. Therefore, the applicable 
    definition of small entity is the definition under the SBA applicable 
    to the ``Communications Services, Not Elsewhere'' category. A small 
    millimeter wave device or unlicensed PCS entity under this definition 
    is one with less than $11.0 million in annual receipts.5
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \5\ 13 CFR Sec. 121.201, Standard Industrial Classification 
    (SIC) Code 4899.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The Commission has not yet authorized any millimeter wave devices, 
    and has authorized fewer than ten unlicensed PCS devices. Both these 
    services are new, so we really don't know how many applications for 
    equipment authorization we may receive, nor how many small 
    manufacturers may be interested in producing these products. Since the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act amendments were not in effect until the 
    record in this proceeding was closed, the Commission was unable to 
    request information regarding the number of small businesses in this 
    category. The Census Bureau estimates indicate that of the 848 firms in 
    the ``Communications Services, Not Elsewhere'' category, 775 are small 
    businesses. Based on this information, as well as our past experience 
    in granting equipment authorization for other types of radiofrequency 
    devices, we estimate that 50 percent of the applications for millimeter 
    wave and unlicensed PCS devices will be from small businesses.
        The Commission anticipates that approximately 30 applications will 
    be filed annually for devices that operate in the millimeter band and 
    unlicensed PCS spectrum. All of these applications will require an 
    initial determination of compliance with our new RF guidelines. Of 
    these devices, ten will require specific absorption rate (SAR) modeling 
    or measurement, which adds cost to the authorization process.
    B. Cellular Radio Telephone Service
        The Commission has not developed a definition of small entities 
    applicable to cellular licensees. Therefore, the applicable definition 
    of small entity is the definition under the Small Business 
    Administration (SBA) rules applicable to radiotelephone companies. This 
    definition provides that a small entity is a radiotelephone company 
    employing fewer than 1,500 persons.6 Since the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act amendments were not in effect until the record in this 
    proceeding was closed, the Commission was unable to request information 
    regarding the number of small cellular businesses and is unable at this 
    time to make a precise estimate of the number of cellular firms which 
    are small businesses.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \6\ 13 C.F.R. Sec. 121.201, Standard Industrial Classification 
    (SIC) Code 4812.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The size data provided by the SBA does not enable us to make a 
    meaningful estimate of the number of cellular providers which are small 
    entities because it combines all radiotelephone companies with 500 or 
    more employees.7 We therefore used the 1992 Census of 
    Transportation, Communications, and Utilities, conducted by the Bureau 
    of the Census, which is the most recent information available. That 
    census shows that only 12 radiotelephone firms out of a total of 1,178 
    such firms which operated during 1992 had 1,000 or more 
    employees.8 Therefore, even if all 12 of these large firms were 
    cellular telephone
    
    [[Page 41009]]
    
    companies, all of the remainder were small businesses under the SBA's 
    definition. We assume that, for purposes of our evaluations and 
    conclusions in the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, all of the 
    current cellular licensees are small entities, as that term is defined 
    by the SBA. Although there are 1,758 cellular licenses, we do not know 
    the number of cellular licensees, since a cellular licensee may own 
    several licenses.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \7\ U.S. Small Business Administration 1992 Economic Census 
    Employment Report, Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of 
    Commerce, SIC Code 4812 (radiotelephone communications industry data 
    adopted by the SBA Office of Advocacy).
        \8\ U.S. Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1992 
    Census of Transportation, Communications, and Utilities, UC92-S-1, 
    Subject Series, Establishment and Firm Size, Table 5, Employment 
    Size of Firms: 1992, SIC Code 4812 (issued May 1995).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        We assume that all of the current rural cellular licensees are 
    small businesses. Comments filed by small business associations, the 
    Organization for the Protection and Advancement of Small Telephone 
    Companies (OPASTCO), state that \2/3\ of its 440 members provide 
    cellular service,9 and comments filed by the Rural Cellular 
    Association (RCA) state that its members serve 80 cellular service 
    areas.10 We recognize that these numbers represent only part of 
    the current rural cellular licensees because there might be other rural 
    companies not represented by either association.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \9\ OPASTCO Comments at 1-2 (filed January 9, 1995).
        \10\ RCA Comments at 2 (filed January 9, 1995).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The rules we are adopting generally require cellular stations to 
    make a determination, through calculation or measurement, as to whether 
    a transmitter facility will comply with the RF radiation exposure 
    limits. If the facility does not comply with the limits, then the 
    applicant (for a new license, a modification, or a renewal of an 
    existing license) must file an Environmental Assessment (EA) pursuant 
    to the National Environment Policy Act. The vast majority of applicants 
    will find their facilities in compliance with the limits, or take steps 
    such as controlling access around the transmitting facility, and will 
    only need to indicate on their application that they comply with the 
    limits. Many cellular transmission facilities are categorically 
    exempted from making a compliance determination based on power and/or 
    antenna height. The Commission processes roughly 700 applications for 
    cellular transmitters facilities, involving 7,000 site locations, per 
    year. Approximately 2,800 transmitting facilities will exceed 
    categorical exclusion criteria and will require a determination of 
    compliance with our new guidelines, based on calculations or 
    measurements.
        Manufacturers of mobile and portable cellular transmitters will 
    have to make measurements, or in some cases calculations, as a 
    condition for equipment authorization. Many of these manufacturers are 
    likely to be the same as those that will manufacture unlicensed PCS 
    transmitters, as discussed in the radiofrequency device category above. 
    Based on the information presented for radiofrequency devices, as well 
    as our past experience in granting equipment authorization for other 
    types of radiofrequency devices, we estimate that 50 percent of the 
    applications for cellular telephones will be from small businesses. It 
    is estimated that 200 mobile and portable cellular transmitters will 
    require authorization per year.
    C. Personal Communications Service
        The broadband PCS spectrum is divided into six frequency blocks 
    designated A through F. Pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Sec. 24.720(b), the 
    Commission has defined ``small entity'' for Blocks C and F licensees as 
    firms that had average gross revenues of less than $40 million in the 
    three previous calendar years. This regulation defining `''small 
    entity'' in the context of broadband PCS auctions has been approved by 
    the SBA.11
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \11\ See Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications 
    Act--Competitive Bidding, PP Docket No. 93-253, Fifth Report and 
    Order, 9 FCC Rcd 5532, 5581-84 (1994), 59 FR 37566 (July 22, 1994).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The Commission has auctioned broadband PCS licenses in Blocks A, B, 
    and C. We do not have sufficient data to determine how many small 
    businesses under the Commission's definition bid successfully for 
    licenses in Blocks A and B. As of now, there are 90 non-defaulting 
    winning bidders that qualify as small entities in the Block C auction. 
    Based on this information, we conclude that the number of broadband PCS 
    licensees affected by the rule adopted in this Report and Order 
    includes the 90 non-defaulting winning bidders that qualify as small 
    entities in the Block C broadband PCS auction.
        At present, no licenses have been awarded for Blocks D, E, and F 
    for spectrum. Therefore, there are no small businesses currently 
    providing these services. However, a total of 1,479 licenses will be 
    awarded in the D, E, and F Block broadband PCS auctions, which are 
    scheduled to begin on August 26, 1996. Eligibility for the 493 F Block 
    licensees is limited to ``entrepreneurs'' with the average gross 
    revenues of less than $125 million. However, we cannot estimate how 
    many small businesses under the Commission's definition will win F 
    Block licenses, or D and E Block licenses. Given the facts that nearly 
    all radiotelephone companies have fewer than 1,000 employees and that 
    no reliable estimate of the number of prospective D, E, and F Block 
    licensees can be made, we assume, for purposes of our evaluations and 
    conclusions in this FRFA, that all of the licenses will be awarded to 
    small entities, as that term is defined by the SBA.
        After all PCS licenses have been issued, the Commission expects to 
    receive approximately 1,000 applications per year involving 10,000 
    sites. We anticipate that 3000 sites will not meet the categorical 
    exclusion criteria and will involve a determination of compliance with 
    the RF exposure guidelines.
        As in the case of cellular telephones, mobile and portable PCS 
    transmitters will have to undergo measurement or modeling to determine 
    compliance with the RF radiation limits as a condition of equipment 
    authorization. Again, we estimate that 50% of the manufacturers will be 
    small businesses. Although we have authorized fewer than ten PCS 
    transmitters, it is estimated that eventually 50 of such devices will 
    be authorized each year.
    D. Private Land Mobile Radio Services, Specialized Mobile Radio
        Pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Sec. 90.814(b)(1), the Commission has defined 
    ``small entity'' for geographic area 800 MHz and 900 MHz SMR licenses 
    as firms that had average gross revenues of less than $15 million in 
    the three previous calendar years. This regulation defining ``small 
    entity'' in the context of 800 MHz and 900 MHz SMR has been approved by 
    the SBA.12
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \12\ See Amendment of Parts 2 and 90 of the Commission's Rules 
    to Provide for the Use of 200 Channels Outside the Designated Filing 
    Areas in the 896-901 MHz and the 935-940 MHz Bands Allotted to the 
    Specialized Mobile Radio Pool, PR Docket No. 89-553, Second Order on 
    Reconsideration and Seventh Report and Order, 11 FCC Rcd 2639, 2693-
    702 (1995), 60 FR 48913 September 21, 1995 Amendment of Part 90 of 
    the Commission's Rules to Facilitate Future Development of SMR 
    Systems in the 800 MHz Frequency Band, PR Docket No. 93-144, First 
    Report and Order, Eighth Report and Order, and Second Further Notice 
    of Proposed Rulemaking, 11 FCC Rcd 1463 (1995), 61 FR 6212, February 
    16, 1996.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The rule adopted in this Report and Order applies to SMR providers 
    in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands that either hold geographic area 
    licenses or have obtained extended implementation authorizations. We do 
    not know how many firms provide 800 MHz or 900 MHz geographic area SMR 
    service pursuant to extended implementation authorizations, nor how 
    many of these providers have annual revenues of less than $15 million. 
    Since the Regulatory Flexibility Act amendments were not in effect 
    until the record in this proceeding was closed, the Commission was 
    unable
    
    [[Page 41010]]
    
    to request information regarding the number of small businesses in this 
    category. We do know that one of these firms has over $15 million in 
    revenues. We assume, for purposes of our evaluations and conclusions in 
    this FRFA, that the remaining existing extended implementation 
    authorizations may be held by small entities, as that term is defined 
    by the SBA.
        The Commission recently held auctions for geographic area licenses 
    in the 900 MHz SMR band. There were 60 winning bidders who qualified as 
    small entities under the Commission's definition in the 900 MHz 
    auction. Based on this information, we conclude that the number of 
    geographic area SMR licensees affected by the rule adopted in this 
    Report and Order includes these 60 small entities.
        No auctions have been held for 800 MHz geographic area SMR 
    licenses. Therefore, no small entities currently hold these licenses. A 
    total of 525 licenses will be awarded for the upper 200 channels in the 
    800 MHz geographic area SMR auction. However, the Commission has not 
    yet determined how many licenses will be awarded for the lower 230 
    channels in the 800 MHz geographic area SMR auction. There is no basis 
    to estimate, moreover, how many small entities within the SBA's 
    definition will win these licenses. Given the facts that nearly all 
    radiotelephone companies have fewer than 1,000 employees and that no 
    reliable estimate of the number of prospective 800 MHz licensees can be 
    made, we assume, for purposes of our evaluations and conclusions in 
    this FRFA, that all of the licenses will be awarded to small entities, 
    as that term is defined by the SBA.
        The Commission receives about 3,000 applications for covered SMR 
    transmitters facilities per year. Approximately 1,000 transmitters will 
    exceed categorical exclusion criteria and will require a determination 
    of compliance. In addition, as in the case of cellular telephones and 
    PCS, mobile and portable covered SMR transmitters will have to undergo 
    measurement or modeling to determine compliance with MPE and/or SAR 
    requirements. It is estimated that 200 of such devices will require 
    authorization per year.
    E. Satellite Communications Services
        The Commission has not developed a definition of small entities 
    applicable to satellite communications licensees. Therefore, the 
    applicable definition of small entity is the definition under the Small 
    Business Administration (SBA) rules applicable to radiotelephone 
    companies. This definition provides that a small entity is a 
    radiotelephone company employing fewer than 1,500 persons.
        Satellite systems authorized by the Commission can be divided into 
    the following categories: mobile satellite service (MSS) non-
    geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) (low or medium orbit satellites); 
    mobile satellite service geostationary; mobile satellite service ship 
    stations; and fixed satellite service.
        In the MSS NGSO category the commission has divided its spectrum 
    allocation into small and large NGSO. In the small NGSO or small low 
    Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite service there are three existing and three 
    pending or further licensees, all of which may be considered small 
    business entities in the context of this analysis. These licensees are 
    authorized in the VHF/UHF bands.
        In the large LEO MSS category of MSS NGSO there are three existing 
    licensees and three pending or future licensees in the 1.6/2.5 GHz 
    band. The three existing are probably not small business entities and 
    the three pending are probably small business entities. In the category 
    of geostationary MSS the Commission has licensed one consortium, in the 
    1.5/1.6 GHz band, that comprises many small business entities.
        The fixed satellite service (FSS) has generally been authorized in 
    the 4/6 and 11/12 GHz band. There are three FSS licensees, that serve 
    domestic US markets, none of which are small business entities. There 
    are also two licensees serving international markets with FSS 
    authorizations and these entities may be considered small business 
    entities.
        It should be noted that in most of the satellite areas discussed 
    above the Commission issues one license to an entity but generally 
    issues blanket license authority for thousands or even hundreds of 
    thousands of earth stations or hand held transceivers. In this analysis 
    we have considered satellite companies that have less than 1500 
    employees to be small business entities. Therefore, we are concluding 
    that small business entities are largely affected by this proceeding in 
    the satellite area.
        The Commission receives about 600 applications for satellite 
    facilities per year. All applicants must make a determination of 
    compliance with the limits, based on calculations or measurements.
    F. Radio Broadcast Service
        The SBA has defined small radio broadcast service entities based on 
    their ``annual receipts'' specifically in 13 CFR Sec. 104, and its 
    calculations include an averaging process. We do not currently require 
    submission of financial data from licensees that we could use to apply 
    the SBA's definition of a small business. Thus, for purposes of 
    estimating the number of small entities to which the rules apply, we 
    are limited to considering the revenue data that are publicly 
    available, and the revenue data on which we rely may not correspond 
    completely with the SBA definition of annual receipts.
        Under SBA criteria for determining annual receipts, if a concern 
    has acquired an affiliate or been acquired as an affiliate during the 
    applicable averaging period for determining annual receipts, the annual 
    receipts in determining size status include the receipts of both firms. 
    13 CFR. Sec. 121.104(d)(1). The SBA defines affiliation in 13 CFR. 
    Sec. 121.103. While the Commission refers to an affiliate generally as 
    a station affiliated with a network, the SBA's definition of affiliate 
    is analogous to our attribution rules. Generally, under the SBA's 
    definition, concerns are affiliates of each other when one concern 
    controls or has the power to control the other, or a third party or 
    parties controls or has the power to control both. 13 CFR. 
    Sec. 121.103(a)(1). The SBA considers factors such as ownership, 
    management, previous relationships with or ties to another concern, and 
    contractual relationships, in determining whether affiliation exists. 
    13 CFR. Sec. 121.103(a)(2). Instead of making an independent 
    determination of whether radio and television stations were affiliated 
    based on SBA's definitions, we relied on the data bases available to us 
    to afford us that information.
        We have performed a study based on the data contained in the BIA 
    Publications, Inc. Master Access Television Analyzer Database, which 
    lists a total of 1,141 full-power commercial television stations. Low 
    Power Television (LPTV) Stations and translator stations are discussed 
    in paragraph H below. It should be noted that the percentage figures 
    derived from the data base may be underinclusive because the data base 
    does not list revenue estimates for noncommercial educational stations, 
    and these are therefore excluded from our calculations based on the 
    data base. Non-commercial stations are subject to the requirements 
    adopted in the Report and Order. The data indicate that, based on 1995 
    revenue estimates, 440 full-power commercial television stations had an 
    estimated revenue of 10.5 million dollars or less. That represents 54 
    percent of commercial television stations with revenue estimates listed 
    in the BIA program. The data base does not
    
    [[Page 41011]]
    
    list estimated revenues for 331 stations. Using an extreme scenario, if 
    those 331 stations for which no revenue is listed are counted as small 
    stations, there would be a total of 771 stations with an estimated 
    revenue of 10.5 million dollars or less, representing approximately 68 
    percent of the 1,141 commercial television stations listed in the BIA 
    data base.
        Alternatively, if we look at owners of commercial television 
    stations as listed in the BIA data base, there are a total of 488 
    owners. The data base lists estimated revenues for 60 percent of these 
    owners, or 295. Of these 295 owners, 156 or 53 percent had annual 
    revenues of less than $10.5 million. Using an extreme scenario, if the 
    193 owners for which revenue is not listed are assumed to be small, the 
    total of small entities would constitute 72 percent of owners.
        In summary, based on the foregoing extreme analysis using census 
    data, we estimate that our rules will apply to as many as 1,150 
    commercial and non-commercial television stations (78 percent of all 
    stations) that could be classified as small entities. Using the extreme 
    analysis based on the data in the BIA data base, we estimate that as 
    many as approximately 771 commercial television stations (about 68 
    percent of all commercial televisions stations) could be classified as 
    small entities. As we noted above, these estimates are based on a 
    definition that we believe greatly overstates the number of television 
    broadcasters that are small businesses. Further, it should be noted 
    that under the SBA's definitions, revenues of affiliates that are not 
    television stations should be aggregated with the television station 
    revenues in determining whether a concern is small. The estimates 
    overstate the number of small entities since the revenue figures on 
    which they are based do not include or aggregate such revenues from 
    non-television affiliated companies.
        In addition, according to the SBA's regulations, a radio 
    broadcasting station must have annual gross receipts of $5.0 million or 
    less in order to qualify as a small business concern.\13\ There are 
    approximately 10,250 commercial radio broadcasting stations and 1,810 
    noncommercial radio broadcast stations of all sizes in the nation, with 
    approximately 5,200 different commercial licensees. For the same 
    reasons as above, the exact number of small radio broadcasting entities 
    to which the elimination of the rule will apply is unknown. Based on 
    1996 revenue estimates, the BIA Publications, Inc. Master Access 
    Analyzer Database indicates that 3,314 commercial radio stations had an 
    estimated revenue of $5.0 million or less. That represents 
    approximately 32 percent of commercial radio stations with revenue 
    estimates listed in the BIA program. The data base does not list 
    estimated revenue for 6,571 stations. Using the most extreme scenario, 
    if those 6,571 stations for which no revenue estimates is listed are 
    counted as small stations, there would be a total of 9,885 stations 
    with an estimated revenue of $5.0 or less, representing approximately 
    96 percent of the 10,257 commercial radio stations listed in the BIA 
    data base.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \13\ 13 CFR. Sec. 121.201.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Alternatively, if we look at owners of commercial radio stations as 
    listed in the BIA data base, there are a total of 5,207 owners. The 
    data base lists estimated revenues for 29 percent of these owners, or 
    1,532. Of these 1,532 owners, 1,344 or 88 percent had annual revenue of 
    less than $5.0 million. Using the most extreme scenario, if the 3,675 
    owners for which revenue estimates are not listed are assumed to be 
    small businesses, then the total of small entities would constitute 96 
    percent of commercial radio station owners. Further, many noncommercial 
    radio broadcasters are considered to be small entities. Thus, a large 
    number of licensees of radio broadcast facilities of several types 
    (commercial AM, commercial FM, and noncommercial FM stations) could 
    benefit from the rule amendment herein adopted.
        The Commission receives about 1,800 applications for broadcast 
    facilities per year. All applicants must make a determination of 
    compliance with the limits, either by calculation or measurement.
    G. Stations in the Maritime Services
        This item would require licensees and applicants for ship satellite 
    earth terminals to make a determination of compliance with the new RF 
    radiation requirements. The Commission has not developed a definition 
    of small entities applicable to ship satellite earth station licensees. 
    Therefore, the applicable definition of small entity is the definition 
    under the Small Business Administration (SBA) rules applicable to 
    radiotelephone companies. This definition provides that a small entity 
    is a radiotelephone company employing fewer than 1,500 persons.
        Ship MSS is similar to geostationary MSS, as discussed above, 
    except that earth stations are aboard maritime vessels rather than 
    traditional earth stations in the MSS. In the area of ship MSS the 
    Commission has two pending licensees for operation of the satellite 
    service, one of which can be considered small business.
        The Commission receives about 272 applications for ship earth 
    stations per year. All applicants must make a determination of 
    compliance with the new RF radiation limits.
    H. Experimental, Auxiliary, and Special Broadcast and Other Program 
    Distribution Services
        This service involves a variety of transmitters, generally used to 
    relay broadcast programming to the public (through translator and 
    booster stations) or within the program distribution chain (from a 
    remote news gathering unit back to the station). It also includes 
    Instructional Television Fixed Service stations, which are used to 
    relay programming to the home or office, similar to that provided by 
    cable television systems. The Commission has not developed a definition 
    of small entities applicable to broadcast auxiliary licensees. 
    Therefore, the applicable definition of small entity is the definition 
    under the Small Business Administration (SBA) rules applicable to 
    radiotelephone companies. This definition provides that a small entity 
    is a radiotelephone company employing fewer than 1,500 persons.
        There are currently 2,637 FM translators and boosters, 4,910 TV 
    translators, and 1,903 Low Power TV stations which will be affected by 
    the new requirements.\14\ There are also 2,032 ITFS licensees. The FCC 
    does not collect financial information on any broadcast facility and 
    the Department of Commerce does not collect financial information on 
    these auxiliary broadcast facilities. We believe, however, that most, 
    if not all, of these auxiliary facilities, including Low Power TV 
    stations, could be classified as small businesses by themselves. We 
    also recognize that most translators and boosters are owned by a parent 
    station which, in some cases, would be covered by the revenue 
    definition of small business entity discussed above. These stations 
    would likely have annual revenues that exceed the SBA maximum to be 
    designated as a small business (either $5 million for a radio station 
    or $10.5 million for a TV station). As we indicated earlier, 96% of 
    radio stations and 78% of TV stations are designated as small.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \14\ FCC news release, Broadcast Station Totals as of June 30, 
    1996, released July 10, 1996.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The approximate number of annual applications processed by the 
    Commission for this service is 1,032. All of these applications would 
    be required to have a determination made regarding
    
    [[Page 41012]]
    
    compliance with the new RF radiation limits.
    I. Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS)
        This service involves a variety of transmitters, which are used to 
    relay programming to the home or office, similar to that provided by 
    cable television systems. The Commission has not developed a definition 
    of small entities applicable to MDS licensees. Therefore, the 
    applicable definition of small entity is the definition under the Small 
    Business Administration (SBA) rules applicable to radiotelephone 
    companies. This definition provides that a small entity is a 
    radiotelephone company employing fewer than 1,500 persons. There are 
    1,800 MDS stations currently licensed and 500 applications for 
    additional channels.
        The approximate number of annual applications processed by the 
    Commission for MDS is 900. It is estimated that of the 900 processed, 
    only 113 will not meet the categorical exclusion criteria and have to 
    make a determination of compliance with the RF radiation limits.
    J. Paging and Radiotelephone Service, and Private Land Mobile Radio 
    Services, Paging Operations
        Since the Commission has not yet approved a definition for paging 
    services, we will utilize the SBA's definition applicable to 
    radiotelephone companies, i.e., an entity employing less than 1,500 
    persons.
        The Commission anticipates that a total of 15,531 non-nationwide 
    geographic area licenses will be granted or auctioned. The geographic 
    area licenses will consist of 3,050 MTA licenses and 12,481 EA 
    licenses. In addition to the 47 Rand McNally MTAs, the Commission is 
    licensing Alaska as a separate MTA and adding three MTAs for the U.S. 
    territories, for a total of 51 MTAs. No auctions of paging licenses has 
    been held yet, and there is no basis to determine the number of 
    licenses that will be awarded to small entities. Given the fact that 
    nearly all radiotelephone companies have fewer than 1,000 employees, 
    and that no reliable estimate of the number of prospective paging 
    licensees can be made, we assume, for purposes of this FRFA, that all 
    the 15,531 geographic area paging licenses will be awarded to small 
    entities, as that term is defined by the Small Business Administration 
    (SBA).
        We estimate that the approximately 600 current paging carriers 
    could take the opportunity to partition and or/ disaggregate a license 
    to obtain an additional license through partitioning or disaggregation. 
    We estimate that up to 48,393 licensees or potential licensees could 
    take the opportunity to partition and/or disaggregate a license or 
    obtain a license through partitioning or disaggregation. This number is 
    based on the total estimate of paging carriers (approximately 600) and 
    non-nationwide geographic area licenses to be awarded (15,531) and our 
    estimate that each license will probably not be partitioned and/or 
    disaggrageted to no more than three parties. Given the fact that nearly 
    all radiotelephone companies have fewer than 1,000 employees, and that 
    no reliable estimate of the number of future paging licensees can be 
    made, we assume for purposes of this FRFA that all of the licensees 
    will be awarded to small businesses. We believe that it is possible 
    that a significant number of up to approximately 48,393 licensees or 
    potential licensees who could take the opportunity to partition and/or 
    disaggregate a license or who could obtain a license through 
    partitioning and/or disaggregation will be a small business.
        The Commission receives about 10,000 applications for paging 
    facilities per year. Approximately 1,176 transmitters will exceed 
    categorical exclusion criteria and will require a determination of 
    compliance with the new guidelines, either by measurement or 
    calculation.
    K. Experimental Radio Service
        The Commission has not developed a definition of small entities 
    applicable to experimental licensees. Therefore, the applicable 
    definition of small entity is the definition under the Small Business 
    Administration (SBA) rules applicable to radiotelephone companies. This 
    definition provides that a small entity is a radiotelephone company 
    employing fewer than 1,500 persons.15 Since the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act amendments were not in effect until the record in this 
    proceeding was closed, the Commission was unable to request information 
    regarding the number of small experimental radio businesses and is 
    unable at this time to make a precise estimate of the number of 
    Experimental Radio Services which are small businesses.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \15\ 13 C.F.R. Sec. 121.201, Standard Industrial Classification 
    (SIC) Code 4812.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The majority of experimental licenses are issued to companies such 
    as Motorola and Department of Defense contractors such as Northrop, 
    Lockheed and Martin Marietta. Businesses such as these may have as many 
    as 200 licenses at one time. The majority of these applications, 70 
    percent, are from entities such as these. Given this fact, the 
    remaining 30 percent of applications, we assume, for purposes of our 
    evaluations and conclusions in this FRFA, will be awarded to small 
    entities, as that term is defined by the SBA.
        The Commission processes approximately 1,000 applications a year 
    for experimental radio operations. About half or 500 of these are 
    renewals and the other half are for new licenses. Approximately 500 of 
    these applications will be required to make an initial determination of 
    compliance with our new RF guidelines.
    IV. Summary of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance 
    Requirements:
        Applicants that are subject to the new RF radiation guidelines 
    (i.e., not categorically excluded), are required to make a statement on 
    any application filed with the Commission indicating that they comply 
    with the RF radiation limits. Technical information supporting that 
    statement must be retained by the applicant, and provided to the 
    Commission upon request. In some cases, the applicant will be able to 
    determine compliance by making calculations or reading applicable 
    literature, including OST Bulletin No. 65. In other cases, detailed 
    measurements of the transmitting facility may be necessary. In 
    addition, steps to control access to the facility, such as warning 
    signs or fences, may be required. Manufacturers of radio transmitting 
    equipment will, as indicated above, need to make MPE and/or SAR 
    measurements that will need to form part of the manufacturer's records 
    for equipment authorization.
    
    Reporting
    
        Reporting requirements are limited to certain classes of applicants 
    and licensees for which the potential for human exposure to RF 
    emissions is the greatest. Most applicants and licensees are 
    categorically excluded from routinely evaluating their facilities, 
    operations or transmitters for compliance with the new RF exposure 
    guidelines. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), upon which 
    our rules are based, allows ``categorical exclusion'' of large classes 
    of actions that generally do not provide an opportunity for causing 
    significant environmental impact, such as would result from human 
    exposure to RF emissions in excess of the guidelines. In this case, the 
    ``actions'' excluded are the granting of Commission applications and 
    authorizations. Therefore, we are categorically excluding many 
    applications submitted to the
    
    [[Page 41013]]
    
    Commission from routine evaluation for compliance with the RF 
    guidelines. This exclusion significantly limits burden on our 
    regulatees, including many small businesses. The category exclusions 
    apply to all radio services except those listed in section IV above and 
    the radio amateur service. This means, for example, that all land 
    mobile and public safety two-way systems are categorically excluded.
        Applicants in services that are not categorically excluded may also 
    be categorically excluded from determining compliance based on antenna 
    location or station power. Applicants who are not categorically 
    excluded are required to make a statement on certain application forms 
    filed with the Commission indicating whether they comply with our 
    environmental rules. This action by a licensee or applicant is the 
    primary reporting requirement. In addition, supporting information 
    (such as measurement data, site drawings, and calculations) may be 
    requested, in certain cases, to justify the statement made on a 
    Commission form.
    
    Recordkeeping
    
        The Commission has no specific recordkeeping requirements related 
    to compliance with the RF exposure guidelines. This has not changed 
    from the rules previously in place regarding compliance with RF 
    exposure guidelines. The Commission does reserve the right to request 
    information supporting the answer an applicant gives on a form. Such 
    information would normally be technical in nature and could involve a 
    report of calculations performed or measurements made to determine 
    compliance. Therefore, many applicants and licensees may keep 
    information related to their compliance on file in some form for their 
    own records. The Commission provides applicants with guidance on 
    performing calculations or measurements through its OST Bulletin No. 
    65, which is being updated to reflect the new guidelines. In many 
    cases, an applicant or licensee can easily use this bulletin to 
    determine compliance through the use of charts, figures and tables. 
    This largely eliminates the need for keeping a detailed analytic report 
    in many cases. Manufacturers of equipment who are required to evaluate 
    portable or mobile devices would likely have to perform more detailed 
    analysis and keep on file a specific technical report for review by the 
    Commission if requested. Also, in a few cases involving multiple 
    transmitters at large antenna farms detailed measurement studies may be 
    necessary. Reports of such studies would be retained by an applicant to 
    provide evidence of compliance if required.
    
    Other Compliance Requirements
    
        As was true for the previous rules, there are no specific 
    compliance requirements, as such. Under the Commission's NEPA rules, 
    applicants and licensees are required to submit an Environmental 
    Assessment (EA) if they do not comply with our RF exposure guidelines 
    (47 CFR Sec. 1.1311). An EA is a detailed accounting of the 
    consequences created by a specific action that may have a significant 
    environmental impact, in this case a Commission authorization of a 
    transmitter or facility that exceeds the RF guidelines. An EA would be 
    evaluated by the Commission to determine whether the authorization 
    should be granted in view of the environmental impact. In reality, this 
    leads to a de facto compliance requirement, since most applicants and 
    licensees who are not categorically excluded (see above) undertake 
    measures to ensure compliance before submitting an application in order 
    to avoid the preparation of a costly and time-consuming EA. For this 
    reason EAs are rarely filed with the Commission. This has not changed 
    from the existing rules. As for determining compliance, as mentioned 
    above, the Commission provides applicants with specific guidance in the 
    form of a technical bulletin. This bulletin is designed to minimize the 
    effort and burden required by an applicant to determine compliance with 
    the guidelines prior to submitting an application. Many options are 
    available for ensuring compliance, including restricting access to an 
    area where high RF levels exist, using warning signs or fences to 
    provide notice of potential RF exposure, use or protective shielding or 
    warning devices, reduction of power when people are in high RF areas 
    and, in the case of portable and mobile devices, designing devices to 
    minimize RF absorption in the body of the user.
    
    Skills Needed to Meet Requirements
    
        If a station is not categorically excluded, then the licensee or 
    applicant must make a determination of whether the station will comply 
    with the RF radiation limits. This study can be done by calculation or 
    measurement, depending upon the situation. The calculations can be done 
    in many cases by a radio technician or engineer familiar with radio 
    propagation. If measurements are necessary, then a radio technician or 
    engineer will also be required.
        The applicant must indicate on its application that it meets the 
    NEPA requirements and, therefore, does not exceed the RF radiation 
    limits. This is usually done by checking a box on a form, which can be 
    done by a clerical person.
    
    V. Steps Taken to Minimize the Economic Impact on Small Entities
    
        The Commission has made every effort to devise ways to minimize the 
    impact of the new RF limits on small entities, while protecting the 
    health and safety of the public. However, we have incorporated 
    sufficient flexibility in the procedures to make compliance as 
    minimally burdensome as possible. We have taken the following steps to 
    ease the impact on small businesses.
        1. The Commission has created a categorical exclusion that requires 
    only those transmitters that appear to have the highest potential to 
    create a significant environmental effect to perform an environmental 
    evaluation.
        2. The Commission will revise OST Bulletin No. 65 to provide 
    guidance for determining compliance with FCC-specified RF limits. This 
    should be of particular assistance to small businesses since it will 
    provide straightforward information that should allow a quick 
    understanding of the requirements and a quick assessment of the 
    potential for compliance problems without the need for an expensive 
    consultant or measurement.
        3. The Commission allows various methods for ensuring compliance 
    with RF limits such as fencing, warning signs, labels, and markings, 
    locked doors in roof-top areas, and the use of personal monitors and RF 
    protective clothing in an occupational environment.
        4. The Commission has rejected its initial proposal to adopt 
    induced and contact currents limits due to the lack of reliable 
    equipment available.
        5. The Commission has specified a variety of acceptable testing 
    methods and procedures that may be used to determine compliance. This 
    will allow each small business to choose a procedure that best meets 
    its needs in the manner that is least burdensome to it.
        6. The Commission has always allowed multiple transmitter sites, 
    i.e., antenna farms, to pool their resources and have only one study 
    done for the entire site. This is very common at sites that have 
    multiple entities such as TV, FM, paging, cellular, etc. In most 
    circumstances, rather than each licensee hiring a separate consultant 
    and submitting a study showing their compliance with the guidelines, 
    one
    
    [[Page 41014]]
    
    consulting radio technician or radio engineer can be hired by the group 
    of licensees. The consultant surveys the entire site for compliance and 
    gives his recommendations and findings to each of the licensees at the 
    site. The licensees can then use the findings to show their compliance 
    with the guidelines. In this way the cost of compliance is minimized as 
    no one licensee has to pay the entire consulting fee, rather just a 
    portion of it.
        The Commission has determined cost of performing an environmental 
    evaluation is minimal for 87 percent of the businesses required to 
    determine compliance. In normal situations, an environmental evaluation 
    can be performed within 1 hour or less with the use of the revised OST 
    Bulletin No. 65, ``Evaluating Compliance With FCC-Specified Guidelines 
    for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation.'' In situations 
    involving devices intended to be used in close proximity to the body, 
    only PCS, cellular, and SMR portable and mobile devices will be 
    required to evaluate compliance under the Commission's equipment 
    authorization process.
    
    Report to Congress
    
        The Commission shall send a copy of this Final Regulatory 
    Flexibility Analysis, along with this Report and Order, in a report to 
    Congress pursuant to the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
    Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. Sec. 801(a)(1)(A). A copy of this FRFA will also 
    be published in the Federal Register.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    47 CFR Part 1
    
        Environmental impact statement, Federal Communications Commission, 
    Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    47 CFR Part 2
    
        Federal Communications Commission, Radio, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements.
    
    47 CFR Part 15
    
        Computer technology, Federal Communications Commission, Reporting 
    and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    47 CFR Part 24
    
        Federal Communications Commission, Personal communications service.
    
    47 CFR Part 97
    
        Communications equipment, Federal Communications Commission, Radio.
    
    Federal Communications Commission
    William F. Caton,
    Acting Secretary.
    
    Rule Changes
    
        Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 1, 2, 15, 24 and 
    97 are amended as follows:
    
    PART 1--PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
    
        1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 303 and 309(j) unless otherwise 
    noted.
    
        2. Section 1.1307 is amended by revising paragraph (b), by removing 
    notes 1, 2 and 3 following paragraph (b), and by adding new paragraph 
    (e) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1.1307  Actions that may have a significant environmental effect, 
    for which Environmental Assessments (EAs) must be prepared.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) In addition to the actions listed in paragraph (a) of this 
    section, Commission actions granting construction permits, licenses to 
    transmit or renewals thereof, equipment authorizations or modifications 
    in existing facilities, require the preparation of an Environmental 
    Assessment (EA) if the particular facility, operation or transmitter 
    would cause human exposure to levels of radiofrequency radiation in 
    excess of the limits in Sec. 1.1310 and Sec. 2.1093 of this chapter. 
    Applications to the Commission for construction permits, licenses to 
    transmit or renewals thereof, equipment authorizations or modifications 
    in existing facilities must contain a statement confirming compliance 
    with the limits unless the facility, operation, or transmitter is 
    categorically excluded, as discussed below. Technical information 
    showing the basis for this statement must be submitted to the 
    Commission upon request.
        (1) The exposure limits in Sec. 1.1310 are generally applicable to 
    all facilities, operations and transmitters regulated by the 
    Commission. However, a determination of compliance with the exposure 
    limits in Sec. 1.1310, and preparation of an EA if the limits are 
    exceeded, is necessary only for facilities, operations and transmitters 
    that fall into the categories listed in Table 1, or those specified in 
    paragraph (b)(2) of this section. All other facilities, operations and 
    transmitters are categorically excluded from making such studies or 
    preparing an EA, except as indicated in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this 
    section. For purposes of Table 1, ``rooftop'' means the roof or 
    otherwise outside, topmost level or levels of a building structure that 
    is occupied as a workplace or residence and where either workers or the 
    general public may have access. The term ``power'' in column 2 of Table 
    1 refers to total operating power of the transmitting operation in 
    question in terms of effective radiated power (ERP), equivalent 
    isotropically radiated power (EIRP), or peak envelope power (PEP), as 
    defined in Sec. 2.1 of this chapter. For the case of the Cellular 
    Radiotelephone Service, subpart H of part 22 of this chapter; the 
    Personal Communications Service, part 24 of this chapter and covered 
    Specialized Mobile Radio Service operations, part 90 of this chapter, 
    the phrase ``total power of all channels'' in column 2 of Table 1 means 
    the sum of the ERP or EIRP of all co-located simultaneously operating 
    transmitters of the facility. When applying the criteria of Table 1, 
    radiation in all directions should be considered. For the case of 
    transmitting facilities using sectorized transmitting antennas, 
    applicants and licensees should apply the criteria to all transmitting 
    channels in a given sector, noting that for a highly directional 
    antenna there is relatively little contribution to ERP or EIRP 
    summation for other directions.
    
      Table 1.--Transmitters, Facilities and Operations Subject to Routine  
                            Environmental Evaluation                        
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Service (Title 47 CFR Rule Part)         Evaluation required if:    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Experimental Radio Services (part 5)...  Power > 100W ERP (164W EIRP).  
    Radio Frequency Devices (part 15)......  Millimeter wave devices        
                                              operating in one of the       
                                              following bands 46.7-46.8 GHz,
                                              59.0-64.0 GHz or 76.0-77.0 GHz
                                              (see Secs.  15.253 and 15.255 
                                              of this chapter).             
                                             Unlicensed personal            
                                              communications service devices
                                              operating under subpart D of  
                                              this chapter.                 
    
    [[Page 41015]]
    
                                                                            
    Multipoint Distribution Service          Non-rooftop antennas: height   
     (subpart K of part 21).                  above ground level to         
                                              radiation center < 10="" m="" and="" power=""> 1640 W EIRP.          
                                             Rooftop antennas: Power > 1640W
                                              EIRP.                         
    Paging and Radiotelephone Service        Non-rooftop antennas: height   
     (subpart E of part 22).                  above ground level to         
                                              radiation center < 10="" m="" and="" power=""> 1000W ERP (1640 W     
                                              EIRP).                        
                                             Rooftop antennas: power > 1000W
                                              ERP (1640W EIRP).             
    Cellular Radiotelephone Service          Non-rooftop antennas: height   
     (subpart H of part 22).                  above ground level to         
                                              radiation center < 10="" m="" and="" total="" power="" of="" all="" channels=""> 
                                              1000W ERP (1640 W EIRP).      
                                             Rooftop antennas: total power  
                                              of all channels > 1000W ERP   
                                              (1640W EIRP).                 
    Personal Communications Services (part   (1) Narrowband PCS (subpart D):
     24).                                     non-rooftop antennas: height  
                                              above ground level to         
                                              radiation center <10 m="" and="" total="" power="" of="" all="" channels=""> 
                                              1000W ERP (1640 W EIRP).      
                                             Rooftop antennas: total power  
                                              of all channels > 1000W (1640W
                                              EIRP).                        
                                             (2) Broadband PCS (subpart E): 
                                              non-rooftop antennas: height  
                                              above ground level to         
                                              radiation center <10 m="" and="" total="" power="" of="" all="" channels=""> 
                                              2000W ERP (3280 W EIRP).      
                                             Rooftop antennas: total power  
                                              of all channels > 2000W (3280W
                                              EIRP).                        
    Satellite Communications (part 25).....  All included.                  
    Radio Broadcast Services (part 73).....  All included.                  
    Experimental, auxiliary, and special     Subparts A, G, L: power > 100W 
     broadcast and other program              ERP.                          
     distributional services (part 74).      Subpart I: non-rooftop         
                                              antennas: height above ground 
                                              level to radiation center < 10="" m="" and="" power=""> 1640 W EIRP.    
                                             Rooftop antennas: power > 1640W
                                              EIRP.                         
    Stations in the Maritime Services (part  Ship earth stations only.      
     80).                                                                   
    Private Land Mobile Radio Services       Non-rooftop antennas: height   
     Paging Operations (part 90).             above ground level to         
                                              radiation center < 10="" m="" and="" power=""> 1000W ERP (1640 W     
                                              EIRP).                        
                                             Rooftop antennas: power > 1000W
                                              ERP (1640W EIRP).             
    Private Land Mobile Radio Services       Non-rooftop antennas: height   
     Specialized Mobile Radio (``covered''    above ground level to         
     providers only--see below)\1\ (part      radiation center < 10="" m="" and="" 90).="" total="" power="" of="" all="" channels=""> 
                                              1000W ERP (1640 W EIRP).      
                                             Rooftop antennas: total power  
                                              of all channels > 1000W ERP   
                                              (1640W EIRP).                 
    Amateur Radio Service (part 97)........  Transmitter power > 50W PEP.   
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     \1\ Note: ``Covered'' SMR providers includes geographic area SMR       
      licensees in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands that offer real-time, two- 
      way switched voice service that is interconnected with the public     
      switched network and Incumbent Wide Area SMR licensees, as defined in 
      Sec.  20.3 of this chapter.                                           
    
    
        (2) Mobile and portable transmitting devices that operate in the 
    Cellular Radiotelephone Service, the Personal Communications Services 
    (PCS), the Satellite Communications Services, the Maritime Services 
    (ship earth stations only) and covered Specialized Mobile Radio Service 
    providers authorized under subpart H of part 22, part 24, part 25, part 
    80, and part 90 of this chapter are subject to routine environmental 
    evaluation for RF exposure prior to equipment authorization or use, as 
    specified in Secs. 2.1091 and 2.1093 of this chapter. All unlicensed 
    PCS and millimeter wave devices are also subject to routine 
    environmental evaluation for RF exposure prior to equipment 
    authorization or use, as specified in Sec. 15.253(f), Sec. 15.255(g), 
    and Sec. 15.319(i) of this chapter. All other mobile, portable, and 
    unlicensed transmitting devices are categorically excluded from routine 
    environmental evaluation for RF exposure under Secs. 2.1091 and 2.1093 
    of this chapter except as specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this 
    section.
        (3) In general, when the guidelines specified in Sec. 1.1310 are 
    exceeded in an accessible area due to the emissions from multiple fixed 
    transmitters, actions necessary to bring the area into compliance with 
    the guidelines are the shared responsibility of all licensees whose 
    transmitters produce field strengths or power density levels at the 
    area in question in excess of 1% of the exposure limits applicable to 
    their particular transmitter.
        (i) Applicants for proposed (not otherwise excluded) transmitters, 
    facilities or modifications that would cause non-compliance with the 
    limits specified in Sec. 1.1310 at an accessible area previously in 
    compliance must submit an EA if emissions from the applicant's 
    transmitter or facility would result in a field strength or power 
    density at the area in question that exceeds 1% of the exposure limit 
    applicable to that transmitter or facility.
        (ii) Renewal applicants whose (not otherwise excluded) transmitters 
    or facilities contribute to the field strength or power density at an 
    accessible area not in compliance with the limits specified in 
    Sec. 1.1310 must submit an EA if emissions from the applicant's 
    transmitter or facility results in a field strength or power density at 
    the area in question that exceeds 1% of the exposure limit applicable 
    to that transmitter or facility.
        (4) Transition Provisions. For applications filed with the 
    Commission prior to January 1, 1997, Commission actions granting 
    construction permits, licenses to transmit or renewals thereof, 
    equipment authorizations, or modifications in existing facilities 
    require the preparation of an Environmental Assessment if the 
    particular facility, operation or transmitter would cause human 
    exposure to levels of radiofrequency radiation that are in excess of 
    the requirements contained in paragraphs (b)(4) (i) through (iii) of 
    this section. These transition provisions do not apply to applications 
    for equipment authorization of mobile, portable, and unlicensed devices 
    specified in paragraph (b) (2) of this section.
        (i) For facilities and operations licensed or authorized under 
    parts 5, 21 (subpart K), 25, 73, 74 (subparts A, G, I, and L), and 80 
    of this chapter, the ``Radio Frequency Protection Guides'' recommended 
    in ``American National Standard Safety Levels with Respect to
    
    [[Page 41016]]
    
    Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 300 kHz to 
    100 GHz'', (ANSI C95.1-1982), issued by the American National Standards 
    Institute (ANSI) and copyright 1982 by the Institute of Electrical and 
    Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York, New York shall apply. With 
    respect to subpart K of part 21 and subpart I of Part 74 of this 
    chapter, these requirements apply only to multipoint distribution 
    service and instructional television fixed service stations 
    transmitting with an equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) in 
    excess of 200 watts. With respect to subpart L of part 74 of this 
    chapter, these requirements apply only to FM booster and translator 
    stations transmitting with an effective radiated power (ERP) in excess 
    of 100 watts. With respect to part 80 of this chapter, these 
    requirements apply only to ship earth stations.
        (ii) For facilities and operations licensed or authorized under 
    part 24 of this chapter, licensees and manufacturers are required to 
    ensure that their facilities and equipment comply with IEEE C95.1-1991 
    (ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992), ``Safety Levels With Respect to Human Exposure 
    to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz.'' 
    Measurement methods are specified in IEEE C95.3-1991, ``Recommended 
    Practice for the Measurement of Potentially Hazardous Electromagnetic 
    Fields--RF and Microwave.'' Copies of these standards are available 
    from IEEE Standards Board, 445 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 
    08855-1331. Telephone: 1-800-678-4333. The limits for both 
    ``controlled'' and ``uncontrolled'' environments, as defined by IEEE 
    C95.1-1991, will apply to all PCS base and mobile stations, as 
    appropriate.
        (iii) Applications for all other types of facilities and operations 
    are categorically excluded from routine RF radiation evaluation except 
    as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.
    * * * * *
        (e) No State or local government or instrumentality thereof may 
    regulate the placement, construction, and modification of personal 
    wireless service facilities on the basis of the environmental effects 
    of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such facilities comply 
    with the regulations contained in this chapter concerning the 
    environmental effects of such emissions. For purposes of this 
    paragraph:
        (1) The term ``personal wireless service'' means commercial mobile 
    services, unlicensed wireless services, and common carrier wireless 
    exchange access services;
        (2) The term ``personal wireless service facilities'' means 
    facilities for the provision of personal wireless services;
        (3) The term ``unlicensed wireless services'' means the offering of 
    telecommunications services using duly authorized devices which do not 
    require individual licenses, but does not mean the provision of direct-
    to-home satellite services; and
        (4) The term ``direct-to-home satellite services'' means the 
    distribution or broadcasting of programming or services by satellite 
    directly to the subscriber's premises without the use of ground 
    receiving or distribution equipment, except at the subscriber's 
    premises or in the uplink process to the satellite.
        3. A new Section 1.1310 is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1.1310  Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits.
    
        The criteria listed in Table 1 shall be used to evaluate the 
    environmental impact of human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation 
    as specified in Sec. 1.1307(b), except in the case of portable devices 
    which shall be evaluated according to the provisions of Sec. 2.1093 of 
    this chapter. Further information on evaluating compliance with these 
    limits can be found in the FCC's OST/OET Bulletin Number 65, 
    ``Evaluating Compliance with FCC-Specified Guidelines for Human 
    Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation.''
    
        Note to Introductory Paragraph: These limits are generally based 
    on recommended exposure guidelines published by the National Council 
    on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) in ``Biological 
    Effects and Exposure Criteria for Radiofrequency Electromagnetic 
    Fields,'' NCRP Report No. 86, Sections 17.4.1, 17.4.1.1, 17.4.2 and 
    17.4.3. Copyright NCRP, 1986, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. In the 
    frequency range from 100 MHz to 1500 MHz, exposure limits for field 
    strength and power density are also generally based on guidelines 
    recommended by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 
    Section 4.1 of ``IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to 
    Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 
    300 GHz,'' ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992, Copyright 1992 by the Institute of 
    Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York, New York 
    10017.
    
                                Table 1.-- Limits for Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE)                            
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Electric field     Magnetic field     Power density      Averaging time 
           Frequency range  (MHz)          strength  (V/m)    strength  (A/m)       (mW/cm\2\)         (minutes)    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (A) Limits for Occupational/Controlled Exposures                                
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    0.3-3.0.............................                614               1.63             *(100)                  6
    3.0-30..............................             1842/f             4.89/f        *(900/f\2\)                  6
    30-300..............................               61.4              0.163                1.0                  6
    300-1500............................  .................  .................              f/300                  6
    1500-100,000........................  .................  .................                  5                  6
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (B) Limits for General Population/Uncontrolled Exposure                            
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    0.3-1.34............................                614               1.63             *(100)                 30
    1.34-30.............................              824/f             2.19/f        *(180/f\2\)                 30
    30-300..............................               27.5              0.073                0.2                 30
    300-1500............................  .................  .................             f/1500                 30
    1500-100,000........................  .................  .................                1.0                30 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    f = frequency in MHz                                                                                            
    * = Plane-wave equivalent power density                                                                         
    
        Note 1 to Table 1: Occupational/controlled limits apply in 
    situations in which persons are exposed as a consequence of their 
    employment provided those persons are fully aware of the potential 
    for exposure and can exercise control over their exposure. Limits 
    for occupational/controlled exposure also apply in situations when 
    an individual is transient through a location where
    
    [[Page 41017]]
    
    occupational/controlled limits apply provided he or she is made 
    aware of the potential for exposure.
        Note 2 to Table 1: General population/uncontrolled exposures 
    apply in situations in which the general public may be exposed, or 
    in which persons that are exposed as a consequence of their 
    employment may not be fully aware of the potential for exposure or 
    can not exercise control over their exposure.
    
    PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL 
    RULES AND REGULATIONS
    
        1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: Sec. 4, 302, 303 and 307 of the Communications Act of 
    1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154, 302, 303 and 307, unless 
    otherwise noted.
    
        2. A new center heading and Sec. 2.1091 are added to subpart J to 
    read as follows: Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure
    
    
    Sec. 2.1091  Radiofrequency radiation exposure evaluation: mobile and 
    unlicensed devices.
    
        (a) Requirements of this section are a consequence of Commission 
    responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act to 
    evaluate the environmental significance of its actions. See subpart I 
    of part 1 of this chapter, in particular Sec. 1.1307(b).
        (b) For purposes of this section mobile devices are defined as 
    transmitters designed to be used in other than fixed locations and to 
    generally be used in such a way that a separation distance of at least 
    20 centimeters is normally maintained between radiating antennas and 
    the body of the user or nearby persons.
        (c) Mobile devices that operate in the Cellular Radiotelephone 
    Service, the Personal Communications Services, the Satellite 
    Communications Services, the Maritime Services and the Specialized 
    Mobile Radio Service authorized under subpart H of part 22, part 24, 
    part 25, part 80 of this chapter (ship earth station devices only) and 
    part 90 of this chapter (``covered'' SMR devices only, as defined in 
    the note to Table 1 of Sec. 1.1307(b)(1) of this chapter), are subject 
    to routine environmental evaluation for RF exposure prior to equipment 
    authorization or use if their effective radiated power (ERP) is 1.5 
    watts or more. Unlicensed personal communications service and 
    unlicensed millimeter wave devices authorized under Sec. 15.253, 
    Sec. 15.255 and subpart D of part 15 of this chapter are also subject 
    to routine environmental evaluation for RF exposure prior to equipment 
    authorization or use, regardless of their power used, unless they meet 
    the definition of a portable device as specified in Sec. 2.1093(b). All 
    other mobile and unlicensed transmitting devices are categorically 
    excluded from routine environmental evaluation for RF exposure prior to 
    equipment authorization, except as specified in Secs. 1.1307(c) and 
    1.1307(d) of this chapter. Applications for equipment authorization of 
    mobile and unlicensed transmitting devices subject to routine 
    environmental evaluation must contain a statement confirming compliance 
    with the limits specified in paragraph (d) of this section as part of 
    their application. Technical information showing the basis for this 
    statement must be submitted to the Commission upon request.
        (d) The limits to be used for evaluation are specified in 
    Sec. 1.1310 of this chapter. All unlicensed personal communications 
    service (PCS) devices shall be subject to the limits for general 
    population/uncontrolled exposure.
        (1) For purposes of analyzing mobile transmitting devices under the 
    occupational/controlled criteria specified in Sec. 1.1310 of this 
    chapter, time-averaging provisions of the guidelines may be used in 
    conjunction with typical maximum duty factors to determine maximum 
    likely exposure levels.
        (2) Time-averaging provisions may not be used in determining 
    typical exposure levels for devices intended for use by consumers in 
    general population/uncontrolled environments as defined in Sec. 1.1310 
    of this chapter. However, ``source-based'' time-averaging based on an 
    inherent property or duty-cycle of a device is allowed. An example of 
    this is the determination of exposure from a device that uses digital 
    technology such as a time-division multiple-access (TDMA) scheme for 
    transmission of a signal. In general, maximum average power levels must 
    be used to determine compliance.
        (3) Compliance with exposure guidelines for mobile and unlicensed 
    devices can be accomplished by the use of warning labels and by 
    providing users with information concerning minimum separation 
    distances from transmitting structures and proper installation of 
    antennas.
        4. A new section 2.1093 is added to subpart J to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 2.1093  Radiofrequency radiation exposure evaluation: portable 
    devices.
    
        (a) Requirements of this section are a consequence of Commission 
    responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act to 
    evaluate the environmental significance of its actions. See subpart I 
    of Part 1 of this chapter, in particular Sec. 1.1307(b).
        (b) For purposes of this section portable devices are defined as 
    transmitters designed to be used within 20 centimeters of the body of 
    the user.
        (c) Portable devices that operate in the Cellular Radiotelephone 
    Service, the Personal Communications Services, the Satellite 
    Communications services, the Maritime Services and the Specialized 
    Mobile Radio Service authorized under subpart H of part 22 of this 
    chapter, part 24 of this chapter, part 25 of this chapter, part 80 of 
    this chapter (ship earth station devices only), part 90 of this chapter 
    (``covered'' SMR devices only, as defined in the note to Table 1 of 
    Sec. 1.1307(b)(1) of this chapter), and portable unlicensed personal 
    communication service and millimeter wave devices authorized under 
    Sec. 15.253, Sec. 15.255 or subpart D of part 15 of this chapter are 
    subject to routine environmental evaluation for RF exposure prior to 
    equipment authorization or use. All other portable transmitting devices 
    are categorically excluded from routine environmental evaluation for RF 
    exposure prior to equipment authorization, except as specified in 
    Secs. 1.1307(c) and 1.1307(d) of this chapter. Applications for 
    equipment authorization of portable transmitting devices subject to 
    routine environmental evaluation must contain a statement confirming 
    compliance with the limits specified in paragraph (d) of this section 
    as part of their application. Technical information showing the basis 
    for this statement must be submitted to the Commission upon request.
        (d) The limits to be used for evaluation are based generally on 
    criteria published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 
    for localized specific absorption rate (``SAR'') in Section 4.2 of 
    ``IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to 
    Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz,'' ANSI/IEEE 
    C95.1-1992, Copyright 1992 by the Institute of Electrical and 
    Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York, New York 10017. These criteria 
    for SAR evaluation are similar to those recommended by the National 
    Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) in ``Biological 
    Effects and Exposure Criteria for Radiofrequency Electromagnetic 
    Fields,'' NCRP Report No. 86, Section 17.4.5. Copyright NCRP, 1986, 
    Bethesda, Maryland 20814. SAR is a measure of the rate of energy 
    absorption due to exposure to an RF transmitting source. SAR values 
    have been related to threshold levels for potential biological hazards. 
    The criteria to be used are
    
    [[Page 41018]]
    
    specified in paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section.
        (1) Limits for Occupational/Controlled exposure: 0.4 W/kg as 
    averaged over the whole-body and spatial peak SAR not exceeding 8 W/kg 
    as averaged over any 1 gram of tissue (defined as a tissue volume in 
    the shape of a cube). Exceptions are the hands, wrists, feet and ankles 
    where the spatial peak SAR shall not exceed 20 W/kg, as averaged over 
    an 10 grams of tissue (defined as a tissue volume in the shape of a 
    cube). Occupational/Controlled limits apply when persons are exposed as 
    a consequence of their employment provided these persons are fully 
    aware of and exercise control over their exposure. Awareness of 
    exposure can be accomplished by use of warning labels or by specific 
    training or education through appropriate means, such as an RF safety 
    program in a work environment.
        (2) Limits for General Population/Uncontrolled exposure: 0.08 W/kg 
    as averaged over the whole-body and spatial peak SAR not exceeding 1.6 
    W/kg as averaged over any 1 gram of tissue (defined as a tissue volume 
    in the shape of a cube). Exceptions are the hands, wrists, feet and 
    ankles where the spatial peak SAR shall not exceed 4 W/kg, as averaged 
    over any 10 grams of tissue (defined as a tissue volume in the shape of 
    a cube). General Population/Uncontrolled limits apply when the general 
    public may be exposed, or when persons that are exposed as a 
    consequence of their employment may not be fully aware of the potential 
    for exposure or do not exercise control over their exposure. Warning 
    labels placed on consumer devices such as cellular telephones will not 
    be sufficient reason to allow these devices to be evaluated subject to 
    limits for occupational/controlled exposure in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
    section.
        (3) Compliance with SAR limits can be demonstrated by either 
    laboratory measurement techniques or by computational modeling. 
    Methodologies and references for SAR evaluation are described in 
    numerous technical publications including ``IEEE Recommended Practice 
    for the Measurement of Potentially Hazardous Electromagnetic Fields--RF 
    and Microwave,'' IEEE C95.3-1991.
        (4) For purposes of analyzing portable transmitting devices under 
    the occupational/controlled criteria, the time-averaging provisions of 
    the MPE guidelines identified in Sec. 1.1310 of this chapter can be 
    used in conjunction with typical maximum duty factors to determine 
    maximum likely exposure levels.
        (5) Time-averaging provisions of the MPE guidelines identified in 
    Sec. 1.1310 of this chapter may not be used in determining typical 
    exposure levels for portable devices intended for use by consumers, 
    such as hand-held cellular telephones, that are considered to operate 
    in general population/uncontrolled environments as defined above. 
    However, ``source-based'' time-averaging based on an inherent property 
    or duty-cycle of a device is allowed. An example of this would be the 
    determination of exposure from a device that uses digital technology 
    such as a time-division multiple-access (TDMA) scheme for transmission 
    of a signal. In general, maximum average power levels must be used to 
    determine compliance.
    
    PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 15 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: Secs. 4, 302, 303, 304, 307 and 624A of the 
    Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154, 302, 303, 307 
    and 544A.
    
        2. Section 15.253 is amended by revising paragraph (f) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 15.253  Operation within the bands 46.7-46.9 GHz and 76.0-77.0 
    GHz.
    
    * * * * *
        (f) Regardless of the power density levels permitted under this 
    section, devices operating under the provisions of this section are 
    subject to the radiofrequency radiation exposure requirements specified 
    in Sec. 1.1307(b), Sec. 2.1091 and Sec. 2.1093 of this chapter, as 
    appropriate. Applications for equipment authorization of devices 
    operating under this section must contain a statement confirming 
    compliance with these requirements for both fundamental emissions and 
    unwanted emissions. Technical information showing the basis for this 
    statement must be submitted to the Commission upon request.
        3. Section 15.255 is amended by revising paragraph (g) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 15.255  Operation within the band 59.0-64.0 GHz.
    
    * * * * *
        (g) Regardless of the power density levels permitted under this 
    section, devices operating under the provisions of this section are 
    subject to the radiofrequency radiation exposure requirements specified 
    in Sec. 1.1307(b), Sec. 2.1091 and Sec. 2.1093 of this chapter, as 
    appropriate. Applications for equipment authorization of devices 
    operating under this section must contain a statement confirming 
    compliance with these requirements for both fundamental emissions and 
    unwanted emissions. Technical information showing the basis for this 
    statement must be submitted to the Commission upon request.
        4. Section 15.319 is amended by revising paragraph (i), to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 15.319  General technical requirements.
    
    * * * * *
        (i) Unlicensed PCS devices are subject to the radiofrequency 
    radiation exposure requirements specified in Sec. 1.1307(b), 
    Sec. 2.1091 and Sec. 2.1093 of this chapter, as appropriate. All 
    equipment shall be considered to operate in a ``general population/
    uncontrolled'' environment. Applications for equipment authorization of 
    devices operating under this section must contain a statement 
    confirming compliance with these requirements for both fundamental 
    emissions and unwanted emissions. Technical information showing the 
    basis for this statement must be submitted to the Commission upon 
    request.
    
    PART 24--PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 24 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 309, and 332, unless 
    otherwise noted.
    
        2. Section 24.52 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 24.52  RF hazards.
    
        Licensees and manufacturers are subject to the radiofrequency 
    radiation exposure requirements specified in Sec. 1.1307(b), 
    Sec. 2.1091 and Sec. 2.1093 of this chapter, as appropriate. 
    Applications for equipment authorization of mobile or portable devices 
    operating under this section must contain a statement confirming 
    compliance with these requirements for both fundamental emissions and 
    unwanted emissions. Technical information showing the basis for this 
    statement must be submitted to the Commission upon request.
    
    PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
    
        1. The authority citation for part 97 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154, 
    303. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended; 
    47 U.S.C. Secs. 151-155, 301-609, unless otherwise noted.
    
        2. Section 97.13 is amended by adding paragraph (c) to read as 
    follows:
    
    [[Page 41019]]
    
    Sec. 97.13  Restrictions on station location.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) Before causing or allowing an amateur station to transmit from 
    any place where the operation of the station could cause human exposure 
    to levels of radiofrequency (RF) radiation in excess of that allowed 
    under Sec. 1.1310 of this chapter, the licensee is required to take 
    certain actions. A routine RF radiation evaluation, as discussed in 
    Sec. 1.1307(b) of this chapter, is required if the transmitter power 
    exceeds 50 watts peak envelope power; otherwise the operation is 
    categorically excluded from routine RF radiation evaluation except as 
    specified in Sec. 1.1307(c) and Sec. 1.1307(d) of this chapter. Where 
    the routine evaluation indicates that the RF radiation could be in 
    excess of the limits contained in Sec. 1.1310 of this chapter, the 
    licensee must take action to prevent such an occurrence. Further 
    information on evaluating compliance with these limits can be found in 
    the FCC's OST/OET Bulletin Number 65, ``Evaluation Compliance with FCC-
    Specified Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation.''
        3. Section 97.503 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), 
    and (b)(3), and adding entry 10 to the table in paragraph (c) to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 97.503  Element standards.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (1) Element 2: 35 questions concerning the privileges of a Novice 
    Class operator license. The minimum passing score is 26 questions 
    answered correctly.
        (2) Element 3(A): 30 questions concerning the privileges of a 
    Technician Class operator license. The minimum passing score is 22 
    questions answered correctly.
        (3) Element 3(B): 30 questions concerning the privileges of a 
    General Class operator license. The minimum passing score is 22 
    questions answered correctly.
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Topics                  2     3(A)    3(B)    4(A)    4(B) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            
             *        *        *        *        *        *        *        
    (10) Radiofrequency                                                     
     environmental safety practices                                         
     at an amateur station..........       5       5       5       0       0
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    [FR Doc. 96-20082 Filed 8-5-96; 2:01 pm]
    BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
8/6/1996
Published:
08/07/1996
Department:
Federal Communications Commission
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-20082
Dates:
August 6, 1996.
Pages:
41006-41019 (14 pages)
Docket Numbers:
ET Docket No. 93-62, FCC 96-326
PDF File:
96-20082.pdf
CFR: (19)
47 CFR 1.1307(b)(1)
47 CFR 1.1307(b)
47 CFR 1.1307
47 CFR 1.1310
47 CFR 20.3
More ...