[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 6, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20014]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 90
[PR Docket No. 92-235, DA 96-1173]
Type Acceptance of Private Land Mobile Radios
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; suspension of effectiveness of compliance date.
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SUMMARY: On June 15, 1995, the Commission adopted a Report and Order
(R&O) to promote more efficient use of the private land mobile radio
spectrum. This R&O established a narrowband channel plan and a
transition schedule which facilitates the transition to narrowband
technology through the type acceptance process rather than by requiring
users to replace existing systems. Specifically, the Commission's rules
state that on or after August 1, 1996, type acceptance only will be
granted for equipment capable of operating on a channel bandwidth of
12.5 kHz or less or equipment that operates on a channel bandwidth of
up to 25 kHz if certain narrowband efficiency standards are met. The
Commission has received twenty-four petitions for reconsideration and
clarification of rules adopted in the R&O. Several petitioners ask for
reconsideration of the rules relating to the type acceptance dates. The
Commission has not yet ruled on these petitions for reconsideration.
Therefore, the Commission, on its own motion and in the public
interest, is suspending the effectiveness of the August 1, 1996,
transition date pending action on the petitions for reconsideration
filed in this proceeding.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 23, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ira Keltz of the Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0616.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Adopted: July 22, 1996.
Released: July 23, 1996.
1. On June 15, 1995, the Commission adopted a Report and Order
(R&O) in the above-captioned proceeding to promote more efficient use
of the private land mobile radio spectrum in the 150-174 MHz VHF band,
and in the 421-430 MHz, 450-470 MHz, and 470-512 MHz UHF bands (60 FR
37152, July 19, 1995). In this R&O, the Commission, among other things,
adopted a narrowband channel plan and a transition schedule. This
transition schedule does not require users to replace existing systems.
Rather, it facilitates the transition to narrowband technology through
the type acceptance process. Specifically, Section 90.203(j) of the
Commission's rules, 47 CFR Sec. 90.203(j), states that on or after
August 1, 1996, type acceptance only will be granted for equipment
capable of operating on a channel bandwidth of 12.5 kHz or less or
equipment that operates on a channel bandwidth of up to 25 kHz if
certain narrowband efficiency standards are met. This Order suspends
the August 1, 1996, compliance date in Section 90.203(j) of the
Commission's rules.
2. The Commission has received twenty-four petitions for
reconsideration and clarification of various decisions and technical
rules adopted in the R&O. Several petitioners asked for reconsideration
of the rules relating to the type acceptance implementation dates. The
Commission has not yet ruled on these petitions for reconsideration.
3. Should the Commission ultimately decide to modify the rules
relating to the type acceptance implementation dates, some licensees
could be irreparably harmed by application of Section 90.203(j) of the
Commission's rules prior to our action on reconsideration. Therefore,
on our own motion and in the public interest, we are issuing a
temporary stay of the effectiveness of the scheduled August 1, 1996
transition date. By this action, we will not require compliance with
Section 90.203(j) of the Commission's rules until the Commission acts
on the pending petitions for reconsideration. Until further notice from
the Commission, type acceptance for equipment designed to operate on a
channel bandwidth up to 25 kHz will continue to be granted.
4. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered, pursuant to the authority
delegated in Sections 0.131 and 0.331 of the Commissions rules 47 CFR
Secs. 0.131 and 0.331, that the effectiveness of the compliance date in
Section 90.203(j) of the Commission's rules, which require radios type
accepted after August 1, 1996, to be capable of operating on a channel
bandwidth of 12.5 kHz or less or meet certain narrowband efficiency
standards is suspended pending Commission action on the petitions for
reconsideration filed in this proceeding.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 90
Communications equipment, Federal Communications Commission, Radio.
Federal Communications Commission.
Michele C. Farquhar,
Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
[FR Doc. 96-20014 Filed 8-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
