[Federal Register: November 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 214)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64917-64919]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06no06-12]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 27
[WT Docket Nos. 06-169, 96-86; DA 06-2116]
Upper 700 MHz Guard Band Licenses; Development of Operational,
Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal, State and
Local Public Safety Communications Requirements Through the Year 2010
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of reply comment period.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB)
of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) extends the reply
comment deadline in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM) in WT Docket Nos. 06-169 and 96-86. The deadline to file reply
comments is extended from November 6, 2006 to November 13, 2006. This
action is taken to provide interested parties sufficient time within
which to respond meaningfully to the relevant issues raised in the
NPRM.
DATES: The agency must receive reply comments on or before November 13,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may submit reply comments, identified by
WT Docket Nos. 06-169 and 96-86, 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.
Mail: Appropriate addresses for submitting 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
[[Page 64918]]
or phone: 202-418-0530 or TTY: 202-418-0432.
For detailed instructions for submitting reply comments, see the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Moon, Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau, at 202-418-1793, or via email at Paul.Moon@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau's Order (Order), DA 06-2116, in WT Docket
Nos. 06-169 and 96-86, released October 25, 2006, which extends the
reply comments filing deadline in the 700 MHz Guard Bands proceeding.
The full text of this document is available for inspection and copying
during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, 445 12th
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. The complete text may be purchased
from the Commission's copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc.,
445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554. The full text
may also be downloaded at: http://www.fcc.gov. Alternative formats are
available to persons with disabilities by sending an e-mail to
fcc504@fcc.gov or by calling the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).
Synopsis of the Order
1. On September 8, 2006, the Commission released the NPRM in WT
Docket Nos. 06-169 and 96-86; FCC 06-133, published at 71 FR 55149,
September 21, 2006, seeking public comment regarding, inter alia,
proposals on possible changes to the Part 27 service rules applicable
to existing and prospective Upper 700 MHz Guard Bands licensees as well
as on proposals to modify the existing Upper 700 MHz band plan with
respect to the Guard Bands. Deadlines for the filing of comments and
reply comments were established as October 23, 2006, and November 6,
2006, respectively.
2. On October 20, 2006, the State of Maryland, Commonwealth of
Virginia, Loudoun County, Virginia, and the Region 20 Regional Planning
Committee each filed a request for extension of time to submit comments
in response to the NPRM. The parties argue that the NPRM raised complex
issues, and assert that any change to the existing 700 MHz Public
Safety band plan will affect their plans for public safety
communications. The parties state that they require additional time to
more thoroughly analyze the complex issues raised, and request
extensions of time ranging from ``no less than 30 days'' to 60 days in
which to file comments.
3. Motions for extension of time will not be granted routinely. In
addition, the Commission's rules require that motions for extensions of
time shall be filed 7 days before the filing date. In an emergency
situation, the Commission may consider a late-filed motion for a brief
extension of time related to the duration of the emergency. Pursuant to
the Commission's rules, extension requests were due by October 16,
2006, in this matter. The parties, however, did not submit motions for
extension of time until October 20, 2006, nor did they provide
sufficient information upon which the Commission may grant emergency
relief. The Commission therefore concludes that it is unable to extend
the comments deadline of October 23, 2006.
4. However, in order to provide all interested parties with a full
and fair opportunity to participate in this proceeding, the Commission
finds that it is in the public interest to extend the reply comment
deadline by 7 days until November 13, 2006. While the Commission finds
that it is appropriate to provide additional time in order to build a
more thorough and complete record, it is also cognizant of the concerns
raised by the public safety community that the Commission address the
issues raised in this proceeding in a prompt and timely manner.
Accordingly, by extending the reply comments deadline by 7 days, the
Commission strikes a balance between providing commenters with adequate
time in which to respond to the NPRM, and ensuring that this proceeding
is resolved expeditiously. In this regard, it should be noted that the
Commission does not anticipate granting further extensions to the reply
comments deadline.
5. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules,
47 CFR 1.415, and 1.419, interested parties may file reply comments on
or before November 13, 2006. Comments may be filed using: (1) The
Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal
Government's eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies. See
Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121,
May 1, 1998.
Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically
using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Filers
should follow the instructions provided on the Web site for submitting
comments.
For ECFS filers, if multiple docket or rulemaking numbers
appear in the caption of this proceeding, filers must transmit one
electronic copy of the comments for each docket or rulemaking number
referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, filers
should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address,
and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit
an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions,
filers should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and include the following
words in the body of the message, ``get form.'' A sample form and
directions will be sent in response.
Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must
file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one
docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding,
filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or
rulemaking number.
Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service
mail (although the Commission continues to experience delays in
receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to
the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal
Communications Commission.
The Commission's contractor will receive hand-delivered or
messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary at 236
Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. The filing
hours at this location are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. All hand deliveries must be
held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be
disposed of before entering the building.
Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton
Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.
U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority
mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible
formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic
files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-
418-0432 (tty).
Ordering Clause
6. 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),
[[Page 64919]]
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 reply comments in
response to the NPRM, published on September 21, 2006, in WT Docket
Nos. 06-169 and 96-86, is extended to November 13, 2006.
Federal Communications Commission.
Catherine W. Seidel,
Acting Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
[FR Doc. 06-9102 Filed 11-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P