97-13148. Narrowband Personal Communications Services  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 20, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 27507-27511]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-13148]
    
    
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    FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
    
    47 CFR Part 24
    
    [GEN Docket No. 90-314; ET Docket No. 92-100; PP Docket No. 93-253; FCC 
    97-140]
    
    
    Narrowband Personal Communications Services
    
    AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: In this Report and Order, the Commission clarifies that its 
    power and antenna height rules apply to regional as well as other 
    narrowband Personal Communications Services (narrowband PCS) licenses, 
    declines to provide special relief for those affected by the Canadian 
    Interim Sharing Arrangement, and establishes competitive bidding rules 
    for awarding the remaining authorizations for narrowband PCS. These 
    changes clarify current Commission rules and establish procedures for 
    awarding and licensing narrowband PCS in the future.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: July 21, 1997.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Elder or Mark Bollinger at (202) 
    418-0660 (Wireless Telecommunications Bureau/Auctions Division) or 
    David Furth or Rhonda Lien at (202) 418-0620 (Wireless 
    Telecommunications Bureau/Commercial Wireless Division).
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Report and Order, 
    GEN Docket No. 90-314, ET Docket No. 92-100 and PP Docket 93-253, 
    adopted April 17, 1997 and released April 23, 1997. The complete text 
    of the 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 
    (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037.
    
    Synopsis of the Report and Order
    
    Background
    
        1. In the First Report and Order, 58 FR 42681 (August 11, 1993), 
    the Commission provided for operation of new narrowband Personal 
    Communications Services (PCS) in the 900 MHz band. The Commission 
    broadly defined PCS as mobile and fixed communications offerings that 
    serve individuals and businesses, and can be integrated with a variety 
    of competing networks. The Commission declined to adopt a restrictive 
    definition of narrowband PCS in order to promote other potential 
    narrowband services. The Commission also adopted a spectrum allocation 
    and channelization plan, licensing rules, and technical standards for 
    narrowband PCS. The Commission determined that PCS is subject to 
    competitive bidding in the case of eligible parties with competing 
    applications.
        2. In the Competitive Bidding Second Report and Order, 59 FR 22980 
    (May 4, 1994), the Commission adopted general competitive bidding rules 
    for auctionable services. In the Competitive Bidding Third Report and 
    Order, 59 FR 26741 (May 24, 1994) the Commission established 
    competitive bidding rules specifically for narrowband PCS. On 
    reconsideration of that Order, the Commission revised certain auction 
    processing rules, expanded special provisions for designated entities 
    in future narrowband auctions, and sought comment on additional 
    designated entity provisions for the upcoming narrowband PCS auction. 
    Of the three MHz of 900 MHz spectrum allocated for narrowband PCS, two 
    one-MHz blocks are currently divided into specific channels for 
    immediate licensing. The remaining one MHz of narrowband PCS spectrum 
    currently is reserved to accommodate future development of narrowband 
    PCS.
        3. Thus far the Commission has conducted two auctions for 
    narrowband PCS licenses. As a result of these two auctions, ten 
    nationwide narrowband PCS licenses and six regional narrowband PCS 
    licenses in five different regions, totalling 30 regional licenses, 
    have been issued. Auctions have not yet been conducted for the 
    narrowband PCS spectrum currently designated for licensing in 51 Major 
    Trading Areas (MTAs) and 493 Basic Trading Areas (BTAs). In addition, 
    the 204 MTA licenses and 1,968 BTA licenses designated as unpaired 
    response channels also have not been auctioned.
    
    Report and Order
    
    A. Service Rules
    
    1. Power and Antenna Height Limits
        4. In the PCS Memorandum Opinion & Order, 59 FR 14115 (March 25, 
    1994), the Commission created regional service areas for narrowband 
    PCS. Section 24.132 of its rules, which govern power and antenna height 
    limits, currently applies to MTA and BTA service areas and does not 
    mention regional service areas. See 47 CFR 24.132.
        5. The Commission clarifies that Sec. 24.132 of its rules applies 
    to the regional service areas as well as MTA service areas. The 
    Commission amends paragraphs (d) and (e) of Sec. 24.132 to reflect that 
    these rules apply to regional areas. See 47 CFR 24.132. Regional base 
    stations, in addition to MTA base stations, must operate at reduced 
    heights and power limits near service area borders in order to protect 
    adjacent licensees from interference. In addition, the Commission 
    clarifies that a narrowband PCS licensee holding a license for the same 
    channel in an adjacent region or MTA is not required to reduce height 
    and power to protect itself.
    
    [[Page 27508]]
    
    2. Canadian Interim Sharing Arrangement
        6. On September 22, 1994, the United States and Canada entered into 
    an interim sharing arrangement with respect to use of narrowband PCS 
    channels in border areas. Under the Canadian Interim Sharing 
    Arrangement (Sharing Arrangement), MTA and BTA licensees on certain 
    narrowband PCS channels are not permitted to locate base stations 
    within 75 miles of the U.S./Canadian border. These licensees are 
    further prohibited from operating mobile stations in a manner that 
    causes interference to the primary Canadian channels. Because the 
    Sharing Arrangement was not yet finalized before the regional 
    narrowband PCS auction bidder package was released, on August 22, 1994, 
    the Sharing Arrangement was not included in the bidder package. 
    However, by Public Notice, the Commission announced the Sharing 
    Arrangement five days prior to the commencement of the regional 
    narrowband PCS auction on October 26, 1994. Additionally, a Public 
    Notice released December 21, 1994 invited comment on the effect of the 
    Sharing Agreement on narrowband PCS licensing.
        7. The Commission concludes that special relief for parties 
    affected by the Sharing Arrangement is not necessary. Over the next 
    year the Commission will negotiate vigorously with Canada for full 
    coordination and accommodation of narrowband PCS license winners. 
    Moreover, parties were fully aware of the Sharing Arrangement at the 
    time of the regional auction, given that a Public Notice concerning the 
    Sharing Arrangement was released before the regional narrowband auction 
    commenced. The Commission believes that the operating restrictions 
    resulting from the Sharing Arrangement are matters that should have 
    been considered by potential bidders in their valuation of the licenses 
    for competitive bidding purposes.
    
    B. Auction Rules
    
    1. Establishment of Entrepreneurs' Block
        8. In authorizing the Commission to use competitive bidding under 
    Sec. 309(j) of the Act, Congress mandated that the Commission ``ensure 
    that small businesses, rural telephone companies, and businesses owned 
    by members of minority groups and women are given the opportunity to 
    participate in spectrum based services.'' Congress also mandated that 
    the Commission utilize competitive bidding to promote economic 
    opportunity and competition and ensure that the new and innovative 
    technologies are readily accessible to the American people. When 
    deciding which provisions to adopt to encourage designated entity 
    participation in particular services, the Commission has closely 
    examined the specific characteristics of the service and has adopted a 
    mix of provisions designed to balance the objectives of Congress set 
    forth in Sec. 309(j). Thus, the Commission has adopted measures 
    designed to enhance the ability of designated entities to acquire 
    licenses and to increase competition in the provision of wireless 
    services generally. In narrowband PCS, for instance, the Commission has 
    provided installment payments for small businesses and bidding credits 
    for minority-owned and women-owned businesses. In broadband PCS, the 
    Commission designated certain spectrum blocks for entrepreneurs' block 
    licenses and provided bidding credits and installment plans for certain 
    designated entities. In the 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) 
    service, the Commission provided bidding credits, installment payments, 
    and reduced down payments for small businesses. Most recently, the 
    Commission adopted bidding credits and installment payments for the 
    paging services.
        9. In the Competitive Bidding Third Memorandum Opinion & Order/
    Further NPRM, 59 FR 44058 (August 26, 1994), the Commission proposed 
    service-specific modifications to its competitive bidding rules for the 
    award of narrowband PCS licenses with MTA and BTA service areas. In an 
    effort to facilitate designated entity participation in providing 
    narrowband PCS, the Commission proposed to reserve both BTA frequency 
    blocks and up to four MTA frequency blocks for bidding exclusively by 
    entities with annual gross revenues of no more than $125 million in the 
    preceding two years and total assets of no more than $500 million 
    (entrepreneurs' blocks). The entrepreneurs' block proposal would have 
    added channels 21 and 25 to the channels allocated for MTA and BTA 
    licenses for which designated entity provisions applied. The Commission 
    later sought additional comment on proposals for establishing 
    narrowband PCS entrepreneurs' blocks in light of: (1) the results of 
    the regional narrowband PCS auction; and (2) the Commission's 
    reconsideration of its broadband PCS entrepreneurs' block rules in the 
    Competitive Bidding Fifth Memorandum Opinion and Order, 59 FR 63210 
    (December 7, 1994).
        10. Upon review of the record, the Commission will not establish an 
    entrepreneurs' block for narrowband PCS similar to its provisions in 
    broadband PCS. The Commission agrees with those commenters who state 
    that the results of the narrowband regional auction demonstrate that 
    bidding credits and installment payments alone can facilitate 
    participation by designated entities in the competitive process as well 
    as securing licenses for the provision of narrowband PCS. Additionally, 
    the Commission has the experience of other auctions, such as 900 MHz 
    Specialized Mobile Radio, where it did not have an entrepreneurs' block 
    but, nonetheless, had many successful designated entity applicants.
        11. Also, the Commission considers narrowband PCS to be less 
    capital intensive than broadband PCS, thereby making it more likely 
    that small businesses, for example, can acquire the financing to win 
    these licenses, particularly for MTAs. Thus, the Commission concludes 
    there is no need to insulate designated entities from other bidders and 
    that bidding credits coupled with installment payments should satisfy 
    its obligations under Sec. 309(j) of the Communications Act as they 
    have in so many other auctions. The Commission also points out that its 
    partitioning proposal could provide for designated entities to acquire 
    narrowband PCS licenses post-auction. Moreover, narrowband PCS 
    licensees are free to transfer and assign licenses immediately (unlike 
    broadband PCS), providing further flexibility to acquire licenses post-
    auction.
    2. Definition of Minority Groups
        12. The Commission will continue to request bidder information on 
    the FCC Form 175 as to minority- and/or women-owned status, in addition 
    to small business status, in order to monitor whether it has 
    accomplished substantial participation by minorities and women through 
    the broad provisions available to small businesses. Currently, the 
    narrowband PCS rules define ``members of minority groups'' as 
    ``individuals of African-American, Hispanic-surnamed, American Eskimo, 
    Aleut, American Indian and Asian American extraction.'' In response to 
    numerous inquiries, the Commission revised this definition in its 
    broadband PCS rules to conform with the definition used in other 
    contexts. Thus, Sec. 24.720(i) of the Commission's rules for broadband 
    PCS now defines members of minority groups to include ``Blacks, 
    Hispanics, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, and Pacific 
    Islanders.''
        13. In the Competitive Bidding Fifth Memorandum Opinion and Order, 
    59 FR 63210 (December 7, 1994), the
    
    [[Page 27509]]
    
    Commission noted that it would make the same definitional correction 
    made in the broadband PCS context to the definition of minority groups 
    used in the narrowband PCS auction rules. The Commission also recently 
    amended its general competitive bidding definition of minority, 
    Sec. 1.2110(b)(2), to adopt this definition of minority. Thus, in an 
    effort to maintain consistency throughout its auction rules for various 
    services, the Commission revises the definition of ``members of 
    minority groups'' in its narrowband PCS auction rules to include 
    ``Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaskan Native, Asians, and 
    Pacific Islanders.'' See 47 CFR Sec. 24.720(i).
    
    C. Conclusion
    
        The Commission believes that the rules set forth for narrowband PCS 
    in this Report and Order will promote the public policy goals set forth 
    by Congress.
    
    D. Procedural Matters
    
    A. Ex Parte Rules--Non-Restricted Proceeding
        15. This is a non-restricted rule making proceeding. Ex parte 
    presentations are permitted except during the Sunshine Agenda period, 
    provided they are disclosed as provided in the Commission's rules. See 
    generally 47 CFR 1.1202, 1.1203, and 1.1206(a).
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis
        16. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, see 5 U.S.C. 
    Sec. 604, the Commission has prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility 
    Analysis (FRFA) of the expected impact on small entities of the 
    policies and rules proposed and adopted in the Report and Order section 
    of this Report and Order and Further NPRM (Report and Order). An 
    Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was incorporated in the 
    Third Memorandum Opinion and Order and Further NPRM, 59 FR 44058 
    (August 28, 1994) in this proceeding. Additionally, Final Regulatory 
    Flexibility Analyses were incorporated in the First Report and Order, 
    58 FR 42681 (August 11, 1993), the Third Report and Order, 59 FR 26741 
    (May 24, 1994), the Third Memorandum Opinion and Order and Further 
    NPRM, 59 FR 44058 (August 26, 1994) and the Second Memorandum Opinion 
    and Order, 59 FR 46195 (September 7, 1994) in this proceeding. Written 
    comments to the proposals, including the Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
    Analysis, were requested. As noted in these previous final analyses, 
    this proceeding will establish a system of competitive bidding for 
    choosing among certain applications for initial licenses, and will 
    carry out statutory mandates that certain designated entities, 
    including small entities, be afforded an opportunity to participate in 
    the competitive bidding process and in the provision of spectrum-based 
    services.
    A. Need for and Objective of Rules
        17. This Report and Order was initiated to adopt rules and secure 
    comment on proposals for revising rules for narrowband Personal 
    Communications Services (PCS). Such changes to the rules for the 
    narrowband PCS service would promote efficient licensing and enhance 
    the service's competitive potential in the Commercial Mobile Radio 
    Service marketplace. The adopted rules are based on the competitive 
    bidding authority of Sec. 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
    amended, 47 U.S.C. Sec. 309(j), which authorizes the Commission to use 
    auctions to select among mutually exclusive initial applications in 
    certain services, including narrowband PCS. The Omnibus Budget 
    Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Budget Act), Public Law 103-66, Title VI, 
    Sec. 6002, and the subsequent Commission actions to implement it are 
    intended to establish a system of competitive bidding for choosing 
    among certain applications for initial licenses, and carry out 
    statutory mandates that certain designated entities, including small 
    businesses, are afforded an opportunity to participate in the 
    competitive bidding process and in the provision of narrowband PCS 
    services.
    B. Issues Raised by the Public in Response to the Initial Analysis
        18. No party suggested modifications specifically to the Initial 
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. The following issues will apply to 
    small businesses.
    1. Power and Antenna Height Limits
        19. The Commission clarifies that Sec. 24.132 of its rules applies 
    to the regional service areas as well as Major Trading Area (MTA) 
    service areas. The Commission amends paragraphs (d) and (e) of 
    Sec. 24.132 of its rules, 47 CFR 24.132, to reflect that these rules 
    apply to regional areas. Regional base stations, in addition to MTA 
    base stations, must operate at reduced heights and power limits near 
    service area borders in order to protect adjacent licensees from 
    interference. In addition, the Commission clarifies that a narrowband 
    PCS licensee holding a license for the same channel in an adjacent 
    region or MTA is not required to reduce height and power to protect 
    itself.
        20. Auction Rules. Based upon the comments and record before it, 
    the Commission determines that it will not establish an entrepreneurs' 
    block for narrowband PCS similar to its provisions in broadband PCS. 
    The Commission agrees with those commenters who argue that the results 
    of the previously-held narrowband regional auction demonstrate that 
    bidding credits and installment payments can facilitate participation 
    by designated entities in the competitive process, as well as securing 
    licenses for the provision of narrowband PCS. Additionally, the 
    Commission has the experience of other auctions, such as 900 MHz 
    Specialized Mobile Radio, which did not have an entrepreneurs' block 
    but, nonetheless, had many successful designated entity applicants. 
    Also, the Commission considers narrowband PCS to be less capital 
    intensive than broadband PCS, thereby making it more likely that small 
    businesses, for example, can acquire the financing to win these 
    licenses, particularly for MTAs. Thus, the Commission concludes there 
    is no need to insulate designated entities from other bidders and that 
    bidding credits coupled with installment payments should satisfy its 
    obligations under Sec. 309(j) of the Communications Act as they have in 
    so many other auctions.
        21. Definition of Minority Groups. In the Competitive Bidding Fifth 
    Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Commission noted that it would make 
    the same definitional correction made in the broadband PCS context to 
    the definition of minority groups used in the narrowband PCS auction 
    rules. Thus, in an effort to maintain consistency throughout its 
    auction rules for various services, the Commission revises its 
    definition of ``members of minority groups'' in its narrowband PCS 
    auction rules to include ``Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaskan 
    Native, Asians, and Pacific Islanders.''
    C. Description and Number of Small Entities Involved
        22. The rules adopted in this Report and Order apply to current 
    narrowband PCS operators and new entrants into the narrowband PCS 
    market. Under these rules, mutually exclusive applications for 
    narrowband PCS licenses will be resolved through competitive bidding 
    procedures.
        23. The Commission does not know how many narrowband PCS licenses 
    will be granted or auctioned, as it has not yet determined the size or 
    number of such licenses. Two auctions of narrowband PCS licenses have 
    been conducted for a total of 41 licenses, out
    
    [[Page 27510]]
    
    of which 11 were obtained by small businesses owned by members of 
    minority groups and/or women. Small businesses were defined as those 
    with averaged gross revenues for the prior three fiscal years of $40 
    million or less. For purposes of this Final Regulatory Flexibility 
    Analysis, the Commission is utilizing the Small Business Administration 
    (SBA) definition applicable to radiotelephone companies, i.e., an 
    entity employing less than 1,500 persons. Not all of the narrowband PCS 
    licenses have yet been awarded. There is therefore no basis to 
    determine the number of licenses that will be awarded to small entities 
    in future auctions. Given the fact that nearly all radiotelephone 
    companies have fewer than 1,000 employees, and that no reliable 
    estimate of the number of prospective narrowband PCS licensees can be 
    made, the Commission assumes, for purposes of the evaluations and 
    conclusions in this Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, that all the 
    remaining narrowband PCS licenses will be awarded to small entities.
    D. Summary of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance 
    Requirements
        24. Narrowband PCS licensees may be required to report information 
    concerning the location of their transmission sites under some 
    circumstances, although generally they will not be required to file 
    applications on a site-by-site basis. Additionally, narrowband PCS 
    license applicants will be subject to reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements to comply with the competitive bidding rules. 
    Specifically, applicants will apply for narrowband PCS licenses by 
    filing a short-form application (FCC Form 175), and will file a long-
    form application (FCC Form 600) at the conclusion of the auction. 
    Additionally, entities seeking treatment as small businesses will need 
    to submit information pertaining to the gross revenues of the small 
    business applicant and its affiliates and certain investors in the 
    applicant. Such entities will also need to maintain supporting 
    documentation at their principal place of business.
    E. Steps Taken To Minimize Burdens on Small Entities
        25. Section 309(j)(3)(B) of the Communications Act, 47 CFR 
    309(j)(3)(B), provides that in establishing eligibility criteria and 
    bidding methodologies the Commission shall, inter alia, promote 
    economic opportunity and competition and ensure that new and innovative 
    technologies are readily accessible by avoiding excessive concentration 
    of licenses and by disseminating licenses among a wide variety of 
    applicants, including small businesses, rural telephone companies, and 
    businesses owned by members of minority groups and women. Section 
    309(j)(4)(A) provides that in order to promote such objectives, the 
    Commission shall consider alternative payment schedules and methods of 
    calculation, including lump sums or guaranteed installment payments, 
    with or without royalty payments, or other schedules or methods. 
    Therefore, the Commission finds that it is appropriate to establish 
    special provisions in the narrowband PCS rules for competitive bidding 
    by small businesses. The Commission believes that small businesses 
    applying for narrowband PCS licenses should be entitled to some type of 
    bidding credits and should be permitted to pay their bids in 
    installments. In awarding narrowband PCS licenses, the Commission is 
    committed to meeting the statutory objectives of promoting economic 
    opportunity and competition, of avoiding excessive concentration of 
    licenses, and of ensuring access to new and innovative technologies by 
    disseminating licenses among a wide variety of applicants, including 
    small businesses, rural telephone companies, and businesses owned by 
    members of minority groups and women.
        26. In determining small business status, the Commission will 
    consider the gross revenues of the small business applicant, its 
    affiliates, and certain investors in the applicant. The Commission will 
    attribute the gross revenues of all controlling principals in the small 
    business applicant as well as the gross revenues of affiliates of the 
    applicant. The Commission will require that in order for an applicant 
    to qualify as a small business, qualifying small business principals 
    must maintain control of the applicant.
    F. Significant Alternatives Considered and Rejected
        27. The Commission considered and rejected a proposal to give 
    additional relief to narrowband PCS licensees affected by an interim 
    sharing arrangement with respect to use of narrowband PCS channels in 
    border areas between the United States and Canada. The Commission 
    determined that such special relief is not necessary, as potential 
    bidders to this spectrum had adequate notice of such interim 
    arrangement and the interim arrangement also provides licensees with 
    adequate spectrum protection.
        28. The Commission also considered and rejected a proposal to 
    establish an entrepreneur's block for narrowband PCS similar to the 
    Commission's provisions for such a block of spectrum in broadband PCS. 
    The Commission agrees with those commenters who argue that the results 
    of the previously-conducted narrowband regional auction demonstrate 
    that bidding credits and installment payments can facilitate 
    participation by designated entities in the competitive process as well 
    as securing licenses for the provision of narrowband PCS. Additionally, 
    the Commission has the experience of other auctions, such as 900 MHz 
    Specialized Mobile Radio, where no entrepreneurs' block existed but, 
    nonetheless, many successful designated entity applicants existed. The 
    Commission also considers narrowband PCS to be less capital intensive 
    than broadband PCS, thereby making it more likely that small 
    businesses, for example, can acquire the financing to win these 
    licenses, particularly for MTAs. Thus, the Commission concludes there 
    is no need to insulate designated entities from other bidders and that 
    bidding credits coupled with installment payments should satisfy its 
    obligations under Sec. 309(j) of the Communications Act as they have in 
    so many other auctions. Moreover, narrowband PCS licensees are free to 
    transfer and assign licenses immediately (unlike broadband PCS), 
    providing further flexibility to acquire licenses post-auction.
        29. The Commission also considered and rejected a proposal to 
    maintain its definition of minority groups eligible for special 
    provisions in the narrowband PCS auction. The Commission instead 
    decided to modify its definition in order to bring it into conformity 
    with the Commission's definition for broadband PCS, namely, ``Blacks, 
    Hispanics, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, and Pacific 
    Islanders.''
    G. Report to Congress
        30. The Commission shall send a copy of this Final Regulatory 
    Flexibility Analysis, along with this Report and Order/Further NPRM, in 
    a report to Congress pursuant to the Small Business Regulatory 
    Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). A copy of this 
    Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis will also be published in the 
    Federal Register.
    
    C. Ordering Clauses
    
        31. Accordingly, it is ordered that Part 24 of the Commission's 
    Rules is amended as specified below, effective July 21, 1997.
        32. It is further ordered that the Petition for Reconsideration of 
    the
    
    [[Page 27511]]
    
    Second Memorandum Opinion and Order in GN Docket 90-314 and ET Docket 
    92-100 filed by the Puerto Rico Telephone Company is dismissed.
        33. Authority for issuance of this Report and Order is contained in 
    Secs. 4(i), 303(r) and 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
    amended, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154(i), 303(r) and 309(j).
    
    List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 24
    
        Communications common carriers, Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements.
    
    Federal Communications Commission
    William F. Caton,
    Acting Secretary.
    
    Rule Changes
    
        Part 24 of Chapter I of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
    is amended as follows:
    
    PART 24--PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 24 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: Secs. 4, 301, 302, 303, 309, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066, 
    1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 309 and 332, unless 
    otherwise noted.
    
        2. Section 24.132 is amended by revising paragraphs (d) and (e) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 24.132  Power and antenna height limits.
    
    * * * * *
        (d)(1) MTA and regional base stations located between 200 
    kilometers (124 miles) and 80 kilometers (50 miles) from their licensed 
    service area border are limited to the power levels in the following 
    table:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Antenna HAAT in meters (feet) (see Sec.                                 
         24.53 for HAAT HAAT calculation         Effective radiated power   
                    method)                          (e.r.p.) (watts)       
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    183 (600) and below....................  3500                           
    183 (600) to 208 (682).................  3500 to 2584                   
    208 (682) to 236 (775).................  2584 to 1883                   
    236 (775) to 268 (880).................  1883 to 1372                   
    268 (880) to 305 (1000)................  1372 to 1000                   
    305 (1000) to 346 (1137)...............  1000 to 729                    
    346 (1137) to 394 (1292)...............  729 to 531                     
    394 (1292) to 447 (1468)...............  531 to 387                     
    447 (1468) to 508 (1668)...............  387 to 282                     
    508 (1668) to 578 (1895)...............  282 to 206                     
    578 (1895) to 656 (2154)...............  206 to 150                     
    656 (2154) to 746 (2447)...............  150 to 109                     
    746 (2447) to 848 (2781)...............  109 to 80                      
    848 (2781) to 963 (3160)...............  80 to 58                       
    963 (3160) to 1094 (3590)..............  58 to 42                       
    1094 (3590) to 1244 (4080).............  42 to 31                       
    1244 (4080) to 1413 (4636).............  31 to 22                       
    Above 1413 (4636)......................  16                             
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (2) For heights between the values listed in the table, linear 
    interpolation shall be used to determine maximum e.r.p.
        (e) MTA, BTA and regional base stations located less than 80 
    kilometers (50 miles) from the licensed service area border must limit 
    their effective radiated power in accordance with the following 
    formula:
    
    PW = 0.0175  x  dkm**6.6666  x  hm**-3.1997
    PW is effective radiated power in watts
    dkm is distance in kilometers
    hm is antenna HAAT in meters; see Sec. 24.53 for HAAT calculation 
    method
    
        3. Section 24.320(e) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 24.320  Definitions.
    
    * * * * *
        (e) Members of Minority Groups. Members of minority groups include 
    Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians and 
    Pacific Islanders.
    * * * * *
    [FR Doc. 97-13148 Filed 5-20-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/21/1997
Published:
05/20/1997
Department:
Federal Communications Commission
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-13148
Dates:
July 21, 1997.
Pages:
27507-27511 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
GEN Docket No. 90-314, ET Docket No. 92-100, PP Docket No. 93-253, FCC 97-140
PDF File:
97-13148.pdf
CFR: (6)
47 CFR 1.2110(b)(2)
47 CFR 309(j)
47 CFR 604
47 CFR 6002
47 CFR 24.132
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