[Federal Register: May 4, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 85)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 23080-23081]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04my05-15]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 90
[WT Docket No. 05-62; DA 05-1084]
Amendment of the Commission's Rules to Provide for Flexible Use
of the 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz Bands Allotted to the Business and
Industrial Land Transportation Pool, and Oppositions
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB)
of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) extends the
periods for both the comment and reply comment deadlines established in
the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted by the Commission in
the 900 MHz B/ILT white space proceeding. The deadline to file comments
is extended from April 18, 2005, to May 18, 2005, and the deadline to
file reply comments is extended from May 2, 2005, to June 2, 2005. This
action is taken to enable interested parties sufficient opportunity to
review complex issues raised by the NPRM and to provide commenters a
reasonable period of time to continue discussions with other interested
parties in an effort to reach consensus that would allow a consistent
filing position in this matter for most of the 900 MHz user
communities.
DATES: The agency must receive comments on or before May 18, 2005; and
reply comments on or before June 2, 2005.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by WT Docket No. 05-62,
by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Federal Communications Commission's Web Site: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: To receive filing instructions for e-mail
comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should
include the following words in the body of the message, ``get form
.'' A sample form and directions will be sent in
reply. Include the docket number(s) in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Appropriate addresses for submitting comments and
reply comments may be found in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document.
People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request
reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language
interpreters, CART, etc.) by e-mail: FCC504@fcc.gov or phone: 202-418-
0530 or TTY: 202-418-0432.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this
rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/, including any personal information
provided.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Connelly, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau at 202-418-0620, or via the Internet at
Michael.Connelly@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Federal
Communications Commission's Order (Order), DA 05-1084, in WT Docket No.
05-62, (2005 WL 852749 (F.C.C.)), adopted April 14, 2005, and released
April 14, 2005, which extends the comment and reply comment filing
deadlines in the 900 MHz B/ILT white space proceeding. The full text of
this document is available for public inspection and copying during
regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, 445
12th St., SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. The complete text
may be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor: Best
Copy & Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington,
DC 20554, telephone 800-378-3160, facsimile 202-488-5563, or via e-mail
at fcc@bcpiweb.com. The full text may also be downloaded at: http://www.fcc.gov.
Alternative formats are available to persons with
disabilities by contacting Brian Millin at (202) 418-7426 or TTY (202)
418-7365 or at Brian.Millin@fcc.gov.
Synopsis of the Order
2. On April 14, 2005, the WTB released an Order that extended the
comment and reply comment filing deadlines established in the NPRM
adopted by the Commission in this proceeding on February 10, 2005 in WT
Docket No. 05-62; FCC 05-31, published at 70 FR 13143, March 18, 2005.
In the NPRM, the Commission seeks public comment regarding a proposal
to auction unused spectrum in the 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz Bands
presently allotted to the Business and Industrial Land Transportation
Pool
[[Page 23081]]
(``900 MHz B/ILT Pool''), in order to facilitate flexible use. In
particular, the Commission proposes to permit any use of the B/ILT
channels in the 900 MHz band that is consistent with the band's fixed
and mobile allocations. In addition, the Commission proposes to license
the remaining spectrum using a geographic area licensing scheme, and to
adopt service rules, including licensing, technical and operational
rules for the new geographic licensees.
3. On April 4, 2005, the United Telecom Council, the National
Association of Manufacturers and MRFAC, the Association of American
Railroads, the American Petroleum Institute, the National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association, and the Enterprise Wireless Alliance
jointly filed a request for an extension of time to submit comments.
They contend that the current comment period does not provide
commenters with a sufficient length of time to provide thorough and
meaningful responses. They also state that they are conducting
discussions with other interested parties in an effort to reach
consensus that would allow a consistent filing position in this matter
for most of the 900 MHz user communities, and believe that this effort
will not be complete before the comment filing deadline. On April 12,
2005, Nextel Communications, Inc. filed an opposition to the comment
period extension request, arguing that any delay would adversely impact
the Commission's 800 MHz rebanding effort, 69 FR 67823, November 22,
2004, and would delay Nextel's opportunity to obtain, through the
auction process, any unused 900 MHz B/ILT spectrum.
Ordering Clauses
4. Pursuant to sections 4(i) and 4(j) of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i) and 154(j), and Sec. Sec. 0.131,
0.331, and 1.46 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.131, 0.331, and
1.46, the deadline for filing comments in response to the NPRM,
published at 70 FR 13143, March 18, 2005, in this proceeding, is
extended to May 18, 2005, and the deadline for filing reply comments is
extended to June 2, 2005.
Federal Communications Commission.
Katherine M. Harris,
Deputy Chief, Mobility Division.
[FR Doc. 05-8682 Filed 5-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P