Incumbent 3650 MHZ Band Licensees Must File Supplemental Information To Create Grandfathered Protection Zones
Incumbent 3650 MHZ Band Licensees Must File Supplemental Information To Create Grandfathered Protection Zones
On April 7, 2017, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) issued a Public Notice announcing the start of a four (4) month window for incumbent 3650-3700 MHz licensees to file the required supplemental information to define their Grandfathered Wireless Protection Zones. The deadline for filing an application for protection of the incumbent 3650 MHz services is August 7, 2017.
Background
In the April 17, 2015, 3.5 GHz Order, which established the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the 3550-3700 MHz band, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopted rules to protect existing 3650 MHz licensees’ operations during a transition period. Specifically, incumbent 3650 MHz licensees will have protection within a Grandfathered Wireless Protection Zone for stations that were: (1) registered in ULS by April 17, 2015 and (2) constructed, in service and in full compliance with the rules by April 17, 2016.
The Grandfathered Wireless Protection Zones are defined around each eligible registered station based on whether the station encompasses registered or unregistered customer premise equipment (CPE). For sectors encompassing unregistered CPE, the protection zone will be a 5.3 km radius sector from each registered base station based on the azimuth and beam width registered for that base station. For sectors encompassing registered CPE, the sector will be centered on each base station with the registered azimuth and beam width covering all registered subscriber stations within that sector.
What You Need to File to Establish the Grandfathered Protection Zones.
Incumbent licensees must provide the following supplemental information to establish their Grandfathered Wireless Protection Zone(s):
(1) Identity of the base stations that were registered in ULS as of April
17, 2015, and that will be used to define the Grandfathered Wireless
Protection Zone;
(2) Certify that those stations were constructed, operational, and in
compliance with the Commission’s Rules as of April 17, 2016;
(3) Identify whether unregistered and/or registered CPE is being used
with that base station; and
(4) If registered CPE equipment is being used, specify the distance to the
furthest registered CPE.
How to File the Supplemental Information.
To file the required supplemental information, licensees will first need to register a new FCC username account and link the FRN associated with their existing 3650 MHz license to the new username. Instructions for registering a FCC user account and associating that account with an FRN can be found at the following FCC pages:
https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/html/Register_New_Account.htm and https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/html/Associate_Username_to_FRN.htm
Once registered, licensees will be able to file the supplemental information by logging into the FCC User Sign In page, accessible at https://www.fcc.gov/licensing-databases/fcc-user-login. After logging in, licensees should select the “3650” tab and then select the applicable call sign from “My 3650 Call Signs.” Selecting the call sign will display a list of locations associated with the license. Licensees should click on each individual location and fill in the supplemental information on the form. The system may require licensees to provide additional explanation. After entering the required supplemental information, licensees will certify and submit their protection zone application.
Applications that do not require additional explanation will automatically be accepted. Applications with responses requiring explanation will need to be reviewed by WTB staff. After WTB’s review, licensees will be notified whether the application was accepted or rejected. Licensees may amend their application up until August 7, 2017.
Special Case for Point-to-Point Application.
Licensees that use 3.65 GHz equipment for point-to-point applications should register each end of the point-to-point link separately as a base station and identify the receive location for that end of the point-to-point link as the furthest registered CPE.
