[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 47, Volume 1]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 47CFR0.131]



[Page 21-23]

 

                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

 

              CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

 

PART 0_COMMISSION ORGANIZATION--Table of Contents

 

                         Subpart A_Organization

 

Sec. 0.131  Functions of the Bureau.



    The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau develops, recommends and 

administers the programs and policies for the regulation of the terms 

and conditions under which communications entities offer domestic 

wireless telecommunications services and of ancillary operations related 

to the provision of such services (satellite communications excluded). 

These functions include all wireless telecommunications service 

providers' and licensees' activities. The Bureau also performs the 

following specific functions:

    (a) Advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for 

the Commission under delegated authority, in all matters pertaining to 

the licensing and regulation of wireless telecommunications, including 

ancillary operations related to the provision or use of such services; 

and any matters concerning wireless carriers that also affect wireline 

carriers in cooperation with the Wireline Competition Bureau. These 

activities include: policy development and coordination; conducting 

rulemaking and adjudicatory proceedings, including licensing and 

complaint proceedings for matters not within the responsibility of the 

Enforcement Bureau; acting on waivers of rules; acting on applications 

for service and facility authorizations; compliance and enforcement 

activities for matters not within the responsibility of the Enforcement 

Bureau; determining resource impacts of existing, planned or



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recommended Commission activities concerning wireless 

telecommunications, and developing and recommending resource deployment 

priorities.

    (b) Develops and recommends policy goals, objectives, programs and 

plans for the Commission on matters concerning wireless 

telecommunications, drawing upon relevant economic, technological, 

legislative, regulatory and judicial information and developments. Such 

matters include meeting the present and future wireless 

telecommunications needs of the Nation; fostering economic growth by 

promoting efficiency and innovation in the allocation, licensing and use 

of the electromagnetic spectrum; ensuring choice, opportunity and 

fairness in the development of wireless telecommunications services and 

markets; promoting economically efficient investment in wireless 

telecommunications infrastructure and the integration of wireless 

communications networks into the public telecommunications network; 

enabling access to national communications services; promoting the 

development and widespread availability of wireless telecommunications 

services. Reviews and coordinates orders, programs and actions initiated 

by other Bureaus and Offices in matters affecting wireless 

telecommunications to ensure consistency of overall Commission policy.

    (c) Serves as the Commission's principal policy and administrative 

staff resource with regard to spectrum auctions. Administers all 

Commission spectrum auctions. Develops, recommends and administers 

policies, programs and rules concerning auctions of spectrum for 

wireless telecommunications. Advises the Commission on policy, 

engineering and technical matters relating to auctions of spectrum used 

for other purposes. Administers procurement of auction-related services 

from outside contractors. Provides policy, administrative and technical 

assistance to other Bureaus and Offices on auction issues.

    (d) Regulates the charges, practices, classifications, terms and 

conditions for, and facilities used to provide, wireless 

telecommunications services. Develops and recommends consistent, 

integrated policies, programs and rules for the regulation of commercial 

mobile radio services and private mobile radio services.

    (e) Develops and recommends policy, rules, standards, procedures and 

forms for the authorization and regulation of wireless 

telecommunications facilities and services, including all facility 

authorization applications involving domestic terrestrial transmission 

facilities. Coordinates with and assists the International Bureau 

regarding frequency assignment, coordination and interference matters.

    (f) Develops and recommends responses to legislative, regulatory or 

judicial inquiries and proposals concerning or affecting wireless 

telecommunications.

    (g) Develops and recommends policies regarding matters affecting the 

collaboration and coordination of relations among Federal agencies, and 

between the Federal government and the states, concerning wireless 

telecommunications issues. Maintains liaison with Federal and state 

government bodies concerning such issues.

    (h) Develops and recommends policies, programs and rules to ensure 

interference-free operation of wireless telecommunications equipment and 

networks. Coordinates with and assists other Bureaus and Offices, as 

appropriate, concerning spectrum management, planning, and interference 

matters and issues, and in compliance and enforcement activities. 

Studies technical requirements for equipment for wireless 

telecommunications services in accordance with standards established by 

the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology.

    (i) Advises and assists consumers, businesses and other government 

agencies on wireless telecommunications issues and matters related 

thereto. Also assists the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau with 

informal consumer complaints and other general inquiries by consumers.

    (j) Administers the Commission's commercial radio operator program 

(part 13 of this chapter) and the Commission's program for registration, 

construction, marking and lighting of antenna structures (part 17 of 

this chapter).



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    (k) Coordinates with and assists the International Bureau with 

respect to treaty activities and international conferences concerning 

wireless telecommunications.

    (l) Exercises such authority as may be assigned, delegated or 

referred to it by the Commission.

    (m) Certifies frequency coordinators; considers petitions seeking 

review of coordinator actions; and engages in oversight of coordinator 

actions and practices.

    (n) Administers the Commission's amateur radio programs (part 97 of 

this chapter) and the issuing of maritime mobile service identities 

(MMSIs).

    (o) Exercises authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for 

the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, 

papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts, 

agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation 

of wireless telecommunications operators for any alleged violation or 

violations of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, or the 

Commission's rules and orders. Before issuing a subpoena, the Wireless 

Telecommunications Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of 

General Counsel.

    (p) Certifies, in the name of the Commission, volunteer entities to 

coordinate maintain and disseminate a common data base of amateur 

station special event call signs, and issues Public Notices detailing 

the procedures of amateur service call sign systems.



[60 FR 35505, July 10, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 4361, Feb. 6, 1996; 62 

FR 17567, Apr. 10, 1997; 64 FR 60718, Nov. 8, 1999; 65 FR 375, Jan. 5, 

2000; 67 FR 13219, Mar. 21, 2002; 69 FR 24997, May 5, 2004]



                Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau