47 C.F.R. Subpart A—General Information


Title 47 - Telecommunication


Title 47: Telecommunication
PART 27—MISCELLANEOUS WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

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Subpart A—General Information

§ 27.1   Basis and purpose.

This section contains the statutory basis for this part of the rules and provides the purpose for which this part is issued.

(a) Basis. The rules for miscellaneous wireless communications services (WCS) in this part are promulgated under the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, that vest authority in the Federal Communications Commission to regulate radio transmission and to issue licenses for radio stations.

(b) Purpose. This part states the conditions under which spectrum is made available and licensed for the provision of wireless communications services in the following bands.

(1) 2305–2320 MHz and 2345–2360 MHz.

(2) 746–764 MHz and 776–794 MHz.

(3) 698–746 MHz.

(4) 1390–1392 MHz.

(5) 1392–1395 MHz and 1432–1435 MHz.

(6) 1670–1675 MHz.

(7) [Reserved]

(8) 1710–1755 MHz and 2110–2155 MHz.

(9) 2495–2690 MHz.

(c) Scope. The rules in this part apply only to stations authorized under this part.

[62 FR 9658, Mar. 3, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 3144, Jan. 20, 2000; 65 FR 17601, Apr. 4, 2000; 67 FR 5510, Feb. 6, 2002; 67 FR 41854, June 20, 2002; 69 FR 5714, Feb. 6, 2004; 69 FR 72031, Dec. 10, 2004; 69 FR 77949, Dec. 29, 2004]

§ 27.2   Permissible communications.

(a) Miscellaneous wireless communications services. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and subject to technical and other rules contained in this part, a licensee in the frequency bands specified in §27.5 may provide any services for which its frequency bands are allocated, as set forth in the non-Federal Government column of the Table of Allocations in §2.106 of this chapter (column 5).

(b) 746–747 MHz, 776–777 MHz, 762–764 MHz and 792–794 MHz bands. Operators in the 746–747 MHz, 776–777 MHz, 762–764 MHz and 792–794 MHz bands may not employ a cellular system architecture. A cellular system architecture is defined, for purposes of this part, as one that consists of many small areas or cells (segmented from a larger geographic service area), each of which uses its own base station, to enable frequencies to be reused at relatively short distances.

(c) Satellite DARS. Satellite digital audio radio service (DARS) may be provided using the 2310–2320 and 2345–2360 MHz bands. Satellite DARS service shall be provided in a manner consistent with part 25 of this chapter.

[65 FR 3144, Jan. 20, 2000, as amended at 65 FR 17601, Apr. 4, 2000]

§ 27.3   Other applicable rule parts.

Other FCC rule parts applicable to the Wireless Communications Service include the following:

(a) Part 0. This part describes the Commission's organization and delegations of authority. Part 0 of this chapter also lists available Commission publications, standards and procedures for access to Commission records, and location of Commission Field Offices.

(b) Part 1. This part includes rules of practice and procedure for license applications, adjudicatory proceedings, procedures for reconsideration and review of the Commission's actions; provisions concerning violation notices and forfeiture proceedings; competitive bidding procedures; and the environmental requirements that, if applicable, must be complied with prior to the initiation of construction. Subpart F includes the rules for the Wireless Telecommunications Services and the procedures for filing electronically via the ULS.

(c) Part 2. This part contains the Table of Frequency Allocations and special requirements in international regulations, recommendations, agreements, and treaties. This part also contains standards and procedures concerning the marketing and importation of radio frequency devices, and for obtaining equipment authorization.

(d) Part 5. This part contains rules prescribing the manner in which parts of the radio frequency spectrum may be made available for experimentation.

(e) Part 15. This part sets forth the requirements and conditions applicable to certain radio frequency devices.

(f) Part 17. This part contains requirements for construction, marking and lighting of antenna towers.

(g) Part 20. This part sets forth the requirements and conditions applicable to commercial mobile radio service providers.

(h) Part 22. This part sets forth the requirements and conditions applicable to public mobile services.

(i) Part 24. This part sets forth the requirements and conditions applicable to personal communications services.

(j) Part 25. This part contains the requirements for satellite communications, including satellite DARS.

(k) Part 51. This part contains general duties of telecommunications carriers to provide for interconnection with other telecommunications carriers.

(l) Part 64. This part sets forth the requirements and conditions applicable to telecommunications carriers under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.

(m) Part 68. This part contains technical standards for connection of terminal equipment to the telephone network.

(n) Part 73. This part sets forth the requirements and conditions applicable to radio broadcast services.

(o) Part 74. This part sets forth the requirements and conditions applicable to experimental radio, auxiliary, special broadcast and other program distributional services.

(p) Part 90. This part sets forth the requirements and conditions applicable to private land mobile radio services.

(q) Part 101. This part sets forth the requirements and conditions applicable to fixed microwave services.

[62 FR 9658, Mar. 3, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 68954, Dec. 14, 1998; 65 FR 3144, Jan. 20, 2000; 67 FR 5510, Feb. 6, 2002; 69 FR 5714, Feb. 6, 2004; 69 FR 72031, Dec. 10, 2004; 70 FR 61059, Oct. 20, 2005]

§ 27.4   Terms and definitions.

Advanced wireless service (AWS). A radiocommunication service licensed pursuant to this part for the frequency bands specified in §27.5(h).

Affiliate. This term shall have the same meaning as that for “affiliate” in part 1, §1.2110(b)(5) of this chapter.

Assigned frequency. The center of the frequency band assigned to a station.

Attended operation. Operation of a station by a designated person on duty at the place where the transmitting apparatus is located with the transmitter in the person's plain view.

Authorized bandwidth. The maximum width of the band of frequencies permitted to be used by a station. This is normally considered to be the necessary or occupied bandwidth, whichever is greater.

Average terrain. The average elevation of terrain between 3 and 16 kilometers from the antenna site.

Base station. A land station in the land mobile service.

Booster service area. A geographic area to be designated by an applicant for a booster station, within which the booster station shall be entitled to protection against interference as set forth in this part. The booster service area must be specified by the applicant so as not to overlap the booster service area of any other booster authorized to or proposed by the applicant. However, a booster station may provide service to receive sites outside of its booster service area, at the licensee's risk of interference. The booster station must be capable of providing substantial service within the designated booster service area.

Broadband Radio Service (BRS). A radio service using certain frequencies in the 2150–2162 and 2496–2690 MHz bands which can be used to provide fixed and mobile services, except for aeronautical services.

Broadcast services. This term shall have the same meaning as that for “broadcasting” in section 3(6) of the Communications Act of 1934, i.e., “the dissemination of radio communications intended to be received by the public, directly or by the intermediary of relay stations.” 47 U.S.C. 153(6).

Commercial EBS licensee. A licensee authorized to operate on EBS channels pursuant to the provisions of §27.1201(c) contained in the edition of 47 CFR parts 20 to 39, revised as of October 1, 2005, or §§74.990 through 74.992 contained in the edition of 47 CFR parts 70 to 79, revised as of October 1, 2004, of this chapter, and that does not meet the eligibility requirements of §27.1201(a).

Documented complaint. A complaint that a party is suffering from non-consensual interference. A documented complaint must contain a certification that the complainant has contacted the operator of the allegedly offending facility and tried to resolve the situation prior to filing. The complaint must then specify the nature of the interference, whether the interference is constant or intermittent, when the interference began and the site(s) most likely to be causing the interference. The complaint should be accompanied by a videotape or other evidence showing the effects of the interference. The complaint must contain a motion for a temporary order to have the interfering station cease transmitting. The complaint must be filed with the Secretary's office and served on the allegedly offending party.

Educational Broadband Service (EBS). A fixed or mobile service, the licensees of which are educational institutions or non-profit educational organizations, and intended primarily for video, data, or voice transmissions of instructional, cultural, and other types of educational material to one or more receiving locations.

Effective Radiated Power (ERP) (in a given direction). The product of the power supplied to the antenna and its gain relative to a half-wave dipole in a given direction.

Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP). The product of the power supplied to the antenna and the antenna gain in a given direction relative to an isotropic antenna.

Fixed service. A radio communication service between specified fixed points.

Fixed station. A station in the fixed service.

Guard band manager. The term Guard band manager refers to a commercial licensee in the 746–747 MHz, 762–764 MHz, 776–777 MHz, and 792–794 MHz bands that functions solely as a spectrum broker by subdividing its licensed spectrum and making it available to system operators or directly to end users for fixed or mobile communications consistent with Commission Rules. A Guard band manager is directly responsible for any interference or misuse of its licensed frequency arising from its use by such non-licensed entities.

Land mobile service. A mobile service between base stations and land mobile stations, or between land mobile stations.

Land mobile station. A mobile station in the land mobile service capable of surface movement within the geographic limits of a country or continent.

Land station. A station in the mobile service not intended to be used while in motion.

Lower Band Segment (LBS). Segment of the BRS/EBS band consisting of channels in the frequencies 2496–2572 MHz.

Middle Band Segment (MBS). Segment of the BRS/EBS band consisting of channels in the frequencies 2572–2614 MHz.

Mobile service. A radio communication service between mobile and land stations, or between mobile stations.

Mobile station. A station in the mobile service intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points.

National Geodetic Reference System (NGRS). The name given to all geodetic control data contained in the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) data base. (Source: National Geodetic Survey, U.S. Department of Commerce)

Point-to-point Broadband station. A Broadband station that transmits a highly directional signal from a fixed transmitter location to a fixed receive location.

Portable device. Transmitters designed to be used within 20 centimeters of the body of the user.

Radiodetermination. The determination of the position, velocity and/or other characteristics of an object, or the obtaining of information relating to these parameters, by means of the propagation properties of radio waves.

Radiolocation. Radiodetermination used for purposes other than those of radionavigation.

Radiolocation land station. A station in the radiolocation service not intended to be used while in motion.

Radiolocation mobile station. A station intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points.

Radionavigation. Radiodetermination used for the purpose of navigation, including obstruction warning.

Remote control. Operation of a station by a designated person at a control position from which the transmitter is not visible but where suitable control and telemetering circuits are provided which allow the performance of the essential functions that could be performed at the transmitter.

Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (satellite DARS). A radiocommunication service in which compact disc quality programming is digitally transmitted by one or more space stations.

Sectorization. The use of an antenna system at any broadband station, booster station and/or response station hub that is capable of simultaneously transmitting multiple signals over the same frequencies to different portions of the service area and/or simultaneously receiving multiple signals over the same frequencies from different portions of the service area.

Studio to transmitter link (STL). A directional path used to transmit a signal from a station's studio to its transmitter.

Temporary fixed broadband station. A broadband station used for the transmission of material from temporary unspecified points to a broadband station.

Time division multiple access (TDMA). A multiple access technique whereby users share a transmission medium by being assigned and using (one-at-a-time) for a limited number of time division mulitplexed channels; implies that several transmitters use one channel for sending several bit streams.

Time division multiplexing (TDM). A multiplexing technique whereby two or more channels are derived from a transmission medium by dividing access to the medium into sequential intervals. Each channel has access to the entire bandwidth of the medium during its interval. This implies that one transmitter uses one channel to send several bit streams of information.

Unattended operation. Operation of a station by automatic means whereby the transmitter is turned on and off and performs its functions without attention by a designated person.

Universal Licensing System. The Universal Licensing System (ULS) is the consolidated database, application filing system, and processing system for all Wireless Radio Services. ULS supports electronic filing of all applications and related documents by applicants and licensees in the Wireless Radio Services, and provides public access to licensing information.

Upper Band Segment (UBS). Segment of the BRS/EBS band consisting of channels in the frequencies 2614–2690 MHz

Wireless communications service. A radiocommunication service licensed pursuant to this part for the frequency bands specified in §27.5.

[62 FR 9658, Mar. 3, 1997, as amended at 62 FR 16497, Apr. 7, 1997; 63 FR 68954, Dec. 14, 1998; 65 FR 3145, Jan. 20, 2000; 65 FR 17602, Apr. 4, 2000; 67 FR 41854, June 20, 2002; 68 FR 66286, Nov. 25, 2003; 69 FR 5714, Feb. 6, 2004; 69 FR 72031, Dec. 10, 2004; 71 FR 35189, June 19, 2006]

§ 27.5   Frequencies.

(a) 2305–2320 MHz and 2345–2360 MHz bands. The following frequencies are available for WCS in the 2305–2320 MHz and 2345–2360 MHz bands:

(1) Two paired channel blocks are available for assignment on a Major Economic Area basis as follows:

Block A: 2305–2310 and 2350–2355 MHz; and

Block B: 2310–2315 and 2355–2360 MHz.

(2) Two unpaired channel blocks are available for assignment on a Regional Economic Area Grouping basis as follows:

Block C: 2315–2320 MHz; and

Block D: 2345–2350 MHz.

(b) 746–764 MHz and 776–794 MHz bands. The following frequencies are available for licensing pursuant to this part in the 746–764 MHz and 776–794 MHz bands:

(1) Two paired channels of 1 megahertz each are available for assignment solely to Guard band managers. Block A: 746–747 MHz and 776–777 MHz.

(2) Two paired channels of 2 megahertz each are available for assignment solely to Guard band managers. Block B: 762–764 MHz and 792–794 MHz.

(3) Two paired channels of 5 megahertz each are available for assignment. Block C: 747–752 MHz and 777–782 MHz.

(4) Two paired channels of 10 megahertz each are available for assignment. Block D: 752–762 MHz and 782–792 MHz.

(c) 698–746 MHz band. The following frequencies are available for licensing pursuant to this part in the 698–746 MHz band:

(1) Three paired channel blocks of 12 megahertz each are available for assignment as follows:

Block A: 698–704 MHz and 728–734 MHz;

Block B: 704–710 MHz and 734–740 MHz; and

Block C: 710–716 MHz and 740–746 MHz.

(2) Two unpaired channel blocks of 6 megahertz each are available for assignment as follows:

Block D: 716–722 MHz; and

Block E: 722–728 MHz.

(d) 1390–1392 MHz band. The 1390–1392 MHz band is available for assignment on a Major Economic Area basis.

(e) The paired 1392–1395 and 1432–1435 MHz bands. The paired 1392–1395 MHz and 1432–1435 MHz bands are available for assignment on an Economic Area Grouping basis as follows: Block A: 1392–1393.5 MHz and 1432–1433.5 MHz; and Block B: 1393.5–1395 MHz and 1433.5–1435 MHz.

(f) 1670–1675 MHz band. The 1670–1675 MHz band is available for assignment on a nationwide basis.

(g) [Reserved]

(h) 1710–1755 MHz and 2110–2155 MHz bands. The following frequencies are available for licensing pursuant to this part in the 1710–1755 MHz and 2110–2155 MHz bands:

(1) Three paired channel blocks of 10 megahertz each are available for assignment as follows:

Block A: 1710–1720 MHz and 2110–2120 MHz;

Block B: 1720–1730 MHz and 2120–2130 MHz; and

Block F: 1745–1755 MHz and 2145–2155 MHz.

(2) Three paired channel blocks of 5 megahertz each are available for assignment as follows:

Block C: 1730–1735 MHz and 2130–2135 MHz;

Block D: 1735–1740 MHz and 2135–2140 MHz; and

Block E: 1740–1745 MHz and 2140–2145 MHz.

(i) Frequency assignments for the BRS/EBS band. (1) Pre-transition frequency assignments.

RS Channel 1: 2150–2156 MHz or 2496–2500 MHz

BRS Channel 2: 2156–2162 MHz or 2686–2690 MHz

BRS Channel 2A: 2156–2160 MHz

EBS Channel A1: 2500–2506 MHz

EBS Channel B1: 2506–2512 MHz

EBS Channel A2: 2512–2518 MHz

EBS Channel B2: 2518–2524 MHz

EBS Channel A3: 2524–2530 MHz

EBS Channel B3: 2530–2536 MHz

EBS Channel A4: 2536–2542 MHz

EBS Channel B4: 2542–2548 MHz

EBS Channel C1: 2548–2554 MHz

EBS Channel D1: 2554–2560 MHz

EBS Channel C2: 2560–2566 MHz

EBS Channel D2: 2566–2572 MHz

EBS Channel C3: 2572–2578 MHz

EBS Channel D3: 2578–2584 MHz

EBS Channel C4: 2584–2590 MHz

EBS Channel D4: 2590–2596 MHz

BRS Channel E1: 2596–2602 MHz

BRS Channel F1: 2602–2608 MHz

BRS Channel E2: 2608–2614 MHz

BRS Channel F2: 2614–2620 MHz

BRS Channel E3: 2620–2626 MHz

BRS Channel F3: 2626–2632 MHz

BRS Channel E4: 2632–2638 MHz

BRS Channel F4: 2638–2644 MHz

EBS Channel G1: 2644–2650 MHz

BRS Channel H1: 2650–2656 MHz

EBS Channel G2: 2656–2662 MHz

BRS Channel H2: 2662–2668 MHz

EBS Channel G3: 2668–2674 MHz

BRS Channel H3: 2674–2680 MHz

EBS Channel G4: 2680–2686 MHz

I Channels: 2686–2690 MHz

(2) Post transition frequency assignments. The frequencies available in the Broadband Radio Service (BRS) and Educational Broadband Service (EBS) are listed in this section in accordance with the frequency allocations table of §2.106 of this chapter.

(i) Lower Band Segment (LBS): The following channels shall constitute the Lower Band Segment:

BRS Channel 1: 2496–2502 MHz

EBS Channel A1: 2502–2507.5 MHz

EBS Channel A2: 2507.5–2513 MHz

EBS Channel A3: 2513–2518.5 MHz

EBS Channel B1: 2518.5–2524 MHz

EBS Channel B2: 2524–2529.5 MHz

EBS Channel B3: 2529.5–2535 MHz

EBS Channel C1: 2535–2540.5 MHz

EBS Channel C2: 2540.5–2546 MHz

EBS Channel C3: 2546–2551.5 MHz

EBS Channel D1: 2551.5–2557 MHz

EBS Channel D2: 2557–2562.5 MHz

EBS Channel D3: 2562.5–2568 MHz

EBS Channel JA1: 2568.00000–2568.33333 MHz

EBS Channel JA2: 2568.33333–2568.66666 MHz

EBS Channel JA3: 2568.66666–2569.00000 MHz

EBS Channel JB1: 2569.00000–2569.33333 MHz

EBS Channel JB2: 2569.33333–2569.66666 MHz

EBS Channel JB3: 2569.66666–2570.00000 MHz

EBS Channel JC1: 2570.00000–2570.33333 MHz

EBS Channel JC2: 2570.33333–2570.66666 MHz

EBS Channel JC3: 2570.66666–2571.00000 MHz

EBS Channel JD1: 2571.00000–2571.33333 MHz

EBS Channel JD2: 2571.33333–2571.66666 MHz

EBS Channel JD3: 2571.66666–2572.00000 MHz

(ii) Middle Band Segment (MBS): The following channels shall constitute the Middle Band Segment:

EBS Channel A4: 2572–2578 MHz

EBS Channel B4: 2578–2584 MHz

EBS Channel C4: 2584–2590 MHz

EBS Channel D4: 2590–2596 MHz

EBS Channel G4: 2596–2602 MHz

BRS/EBS Channel F4: 2602–2608 MHz

BRS/EBS Channel E4: 2608–2614 MHz

(iii) Upper Band Segment (UBS): The following channels shall constitute the Upper Band Segment:

BRS Channel KH1: 2614.00000–2614.33333 MHz

BRS Channel KH2: 2614.33333–2614.66666 MHz

BRS Channel KH3: 2614.66666–2615.00000 MHz

EBS Channel KG1: 2615.00000–2615.33333 MHz

EBS Channel KG2: 2615.33333–2616.66666 MHz

EBS Channel KG3: 2615.66666–2616.00000 MHz

BRS Channel KF1: 2616.00000–2616.33333 MHz

BRS Channel KF2: 2616.33333–2616.66666MHz

BRS Channel KF3: 2616.66666–2617.00000 MHz

BRS Channel KE1: 2617.00000–2617.33333 MHz

BRS Channel KE2: 2617.33333–2617.66666 MHz

BRS Channel KE3: 2617.66666–2618.00000 MHz

BRS Channel 2: 2618–2624 MHz

BRS/EBS Channel E1: 2624–2629.5 MHz

BRS/EBS Channel E2: 2629.5–2635 MHz

BRS/EBS Channel E3: 2635–2640.5 MHz

BRS/EBS Channel F1: 2640.5–2646 MHz

BRS/EBS Channel F2: 2646–2651.5 MHz

BRS/EBS Channel F3: 2651.5–2657 MHz

BRS Channel H1: 2657–2662.5 MHz

BRS Channel H2: 2662.5–2668 MHz

BRS Channel H3: 2668–2673.5 MHz

BRS Channel G1: 2673.5–2679 MHz

BRS Channel G2: 2679–2684.5 MHz

BRS Channel G3: 2684.5–2690 MHz

Note to paragraph (i)(2): No 125 kHz channels are provided for channels in operation in this service. The 125 kHz channels previously associated with these channels have been reallocated to Channel G3 in the upper band segment.

(3) During the transition (see §§27.1230–27.1239) EBS and BRS licensees may exchange channels to effectuate the transition of the 2.5 GHz band in a given BTA.

(4) A temporary fixed broadband station may use any available broadband channel on a secondary basis, except that operation of temporary fixed broadband stations is not allowed within 56.3 km (35 miles) of Canada.

(5)(i) A point-to-point EBS station on the E and F-channel frequencies, may be involuntarily displaced by a BRS applicant or licensee, provided that suitable alternative spectrum is available and that the BRS entity bears the expenses of the migration. Suitability of spectrum will be determined on a case-by-base basis; at a minimum, the alternative spectrum must be licensable by broadband operators on a primary basis (although it need not be specifically allocated to the broadband service), and must provide a signal that is equivalent to the prior signal in picture quality and reliability, unless the broadband licensee will accept an inferior signal. Potential expansion of the BRS licensee may be considered in determining whether alternative available spectrum is suitable.

(ii) If suitable alternative spectrum is located pursuant to paragraph (h)(6)(i) of this section, the initiating party must prepare and file the appropriate application for the new spectrum, and must simultaneously serve a copy of the application on the EBS licensee to be moved. The initiating party will be responsible for all costs connected with the migration, including purchasing, testing and installing new equipment, labor costs, reconfiguration of existing equipment, administrative costs, legal and engineering expenses necessary to prepare and file the migration application, and other reasonable documented costs. The initiating party must secure a bond or establish an escrow account to cover reasonable incremental increase in ongoing expenses that may fall upon the migrated licensee. The bond or escrow account should also account for the possibility that the initiating party subsequently becomes bankrupt. If it becomes necessary for the Commission to assess the sufficiency of a bond or escrow amount, it will take into account such factors as projected incremental increase in electricity or maintenance expenses, or relocation expenses, as relevant in each case.

(iii) The EBS licensee to be moved will have a 60-day period in which to oppose the involuntary migration. The broadband party should state its opposition to the migration with specificity, including engineering and other challenges, and a comparison of the present site and the proposed new site. If involuntary migration is granted, the new facilities must be operational before the initiating party will be permitted to begin its new or modified operations. The migration must not disrupt the broadband licensee's provision of service, and the broadband licensee has the right to inspect the construction or installation work.

[62 FR 9658, Mar. 3, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 3145, Jan. 20, 2000; 65 FR 17602, Apr. 4, 2000; 67 FR 5510, Feb. 6, 2002; 67 FR 41854, June 20, 2002; 69 FR 5714, Feb. 6, 2004; 69 FR 72032, Dec. 10, 2004; 69 FR 77950, Dec. 29, 2004; 70 FR 58064, Oct. 5, 2005; 71 FR 35189, June 19, 2006]

§ 27.6   Service areas.

(a) WCS service areas are Major Economic Areas (MEAs) and Regional Economic Area Groupings (REAGs) as defined in the Table immediately following paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Both MEAs and REAGs are based on the U.S. Department of Commerce's 172 Economic Areas (Eas). See 60 FR 13114 (March 10, 1995). In addition, the Commission shall separately license Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Gulf of Mexico, which have been assigned Commission-created EA numbers 173–176, respectively. Maps of the EAs, MEAs, and REAGs and the Federal Register Notice that established the 172 EAs are available for public inspection and copying at the Reference Information Center, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554.

(1) The 52 MEAs are composed of one or more EAs and the 12 REAGs are composed of one or more MEAs, as defined in the table below:

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------            REAGs                     MEAs                   EAs------------------------------------------------------------------------1 (Northeast)...............  1 (Boston)..........  1-3.                              2 (New York City)...  4-7, 10.                              3 (Buffalo).........  8.                              4 (Philadelphia)....  11-12.2 (Southeast)...............  5 (Washington)......  13-14.                              6 (Richmond)........  15-17, 20.                              7 (Charlotte-         18-19, 21-26, 41-42,                               Greensboro-           46.                               Greenville-Raleigh).                              8 (Atlanta).........  27-28, 37-40, 43.                              9 (Jacksonville)....  29, 35.                              10 (Tampa-St.         30, 33-34.                               Petersburg-Orlando).                              11 (Miami)..........  31-32.3 (Great Lakes).............  12 (Pittsburgh).....  9, 52-53.                              13 (Cincinnati-       48-50.                               Dayton).                              14 (Columbus).......  51.                              15 (Cleveland)......  54-55.                              16 (Detroit)........  56-58, 61-62.                              17 (Milwaukee)......  59-60, 63, 104-105,                                                     108.                              18 (Chicago)........  64-66, 68, 97, 101.                              19 (Indianapolis)...  67.                              20 (Minneapolis-St.   106-107, 109-114,                               Paul).                116.                              21 (Des Moines-Quad   100, 102-103, 117.                               Cities).4 (Mississippi Valley)......  22 (Knoxville)......  44-45.                              23 (Louisville-       47, 69-70, 72.                               Lexington-                               Evansville).                              24 (Birmingham).....  36, 74, 78-79.                              25 (Nashville)......  71.                              26 (Memphis-Jackson)  73, 75-77.                              27 (New Orleans-      80-85.                               Baton Rouge).                              28 (Little Rock)....  90-92, 95.                              29 (Kansas City)....  93, 99, 123.                              30 (St. Louis)......  94, 96, 98.5 (Central).................  31 (Houston)........  86-87, 131.                              32 (Dallas-Fort       88-89, 127-130, 135,                               Worth).               137-138.                              33 (Denver).........  115, 140-143.                              34 (Omaha)..........  118-121.                              35 (Wichita)........  122.                              36 (Tulsa)..........  124.                              37 (Oklahoma City)..  125-126.                              38 (San Antonio)....  132-134.                              39 (El Paso-          136, 139, 155-157.                               Albuquerque).                              40 (Phoenix)........  154, 158-159.6 (West)....................  41 (Spokane-          144-147, 168.                               Billings).                              42 (Salt Lake City).  148-150, 152.                              43 (San Francisco-    151, 162-165.                               Oakland-San Jose).                              44 (Los Angeles-San   153, 160-161.                               Diego).                              45 (Portland).......  166-167.                              46 (Seattle)........  169-170.7 (Alaska)..................  47 (Alaska).........  171.8 (Hawaii)..................  48 (Hawaii).........  172.9 (Guam and the Northern      49 (Guam and the      173. Mariana Islands).             Northern Mariana                               Islands).10 (Puerto Rico and U.S.      50 (Puerto Rico and   174. Virgin Islands).              U.S. Virgin                               Islands).11 (American Samoa).........  51 (American Samoa).  175.12 (Gulf of Mexico).........  52 (Gulf of Mexico).  176.------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) The Gulf of Mexico EA extends from 12 nautical miles off the U.S. Gulf coast outward into the Gulf.

(b) 746–764 MHz and 776–794 MHz bands. WCS service areas for the 746–764 MHz and 776–794 MHz bands are as follows.

(1) Service areas for Block A in the 746–747 and 776–777 MHz bands and Block B in the 762–764 and 792–794 MHz bands are based on Major Economic Areas (MEAs), as defined in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.

(2) Service areas for Blocks C and D in the 747–762 MHz and 777–792 MHz bands are based on Economic Area Groupings (EAGs) as defined by the Federal Communications Commission. See 62 FR 15978 (April 3, 1997) extended with the Gulf of Mexico. See also paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section and 62 FR 9636 (March 3, 1997), in which the Commission created an additional four economic area-like areas for a total of 176. Maps of the EAGs and the Federal Register Notice that established the 172 Economic Areas (EAs) are available for public inspection and copying at the Reference Center, Room CY A–257, 445 12th St., S.W., Washington, DC 20554. These maps and data are also available on the FCC website at www.fcc.gov/oet/info/maps/areas/.

(i) There are 6 EAGs, which are composed of multiple EAs as defined in the table below:

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------    Economic area groupings            Name            Economic areas------------------------------------------------------------------------EAG001........................  Northeast........  1-11, 54EAG002........................  Mid-Atlantic.....  12-26, 41, 42, 44-53,                                                    70EAG003........................  Southeast........  27-40, 43, 69, 71-86,                                                    88-90, 95, 96, 174,                                                    176(part)EAG004........................  Great Lakes......  55-68, 97, 100-109EAG005........................  Central/Mountain.  87, 91-94, 98, 99,                                                    110-146, 148, 149,                                                    152, 154-159,                                                    176(part)EAG006........................  Pacific..........  147, 150, 151, 153,                                                    160-173, 175------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1 to paragraph (b)(2)(i): Economic Area Groupings are defined by the Federal Communications Commission; see 62 FR 15978 (April 3, 1997) extended with the Gulf of Mexico.

Note 2 to paragraph (b)(2)(i): Economic Areas are defined by the Regional Economic Analysis Division, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce February 1995 and extended by the Federal Communications Commission, see 62 FR 9636 (March 3, 1997).

(ii) For purposes of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, EA 176 (the Gulf of Mexico) will be divided between EAG003 (the Southeast EAG) and EAG005 (the Central/Mountain EAG) in accordance with the configuration of the Eastern/ Central and Western Planning Area established by the Mineral Management Services Bureau of the Department of the Interior (MMS). That portion of EA 176 contained in the Eastern and Central Planning Areas as defined by MMS will be included in EAG003; that portion of EA 176 contained in the Western Planning Area as defined by MMS will be included in EAG005. Maps of these areas may be found on the following MMS website: www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/offshore/offshore.html.

(c) 698–746 MHz band. WCS service areas for the 698–746 MHz band are as follows.

(1) Service areas for Blocks A, B, D, and E in the 698–746 MHz band are based on Economic Area Groupings (EAGs) as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(2) Service areas for Block C in the 698–746 MHz band are based on cellular markets comprising Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Rural Service Areas (RSAs) as defined by Public Notice Report No. CL–92–40 “Common Carrier Public Mobile Services Information, Cellular MSA/RSA Markets and Counties,” dated January 24, 1992, DA 92–109, 7 FCC Rcd 742 (1992), with the following modifications:

(i) The service areas of cellular markets that border the U.S. coastline of the Gulf of Mexico extend 12 nautical miles from the U.S. Gulf coastline.

(ii) The service area of cellular market 306 that comprises the water area of the Gulf of Mexico extends from 12 nautical miles off the U.S. Gulf coast outward into the Gulf.

(d) 1390–1392 MHz band. Service areas for the 1390–1392 MHz band is based on Major Economic Areas (MEAs), as defined in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.

(e) The paired 1392–1395 and 1432–1435 MHz bands. Service areas for the paired 1392–1395 and 1432–1435 MHz bands are as follows. Service areas for Block A in the 1392–1393.5 MHz and 1432–1433.5 MHz bands and Block B in the 1393.5–1395 MHz and 1433.5–1435 MHz bands are based on Economic Area Groupings (EAGs) as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(f) 1670–1675 MHz band. Service areas for the 1670–1675 MHz band are available on a nationwide basis.

(g) [Reserved]

(h) 1710–1755 and 2110–2155 MHz bands. AWS service areas for the 1710–1755 MHz and 2110–2155 MHz bands are as follows:

(1) Service areas for Block A (1710–1720 MHz and 2110–2120 MHz) are based on cellular markets comprising Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Rural Service Areas (RSAs) as defined by Public Notice Report No. CL–92–40 “Common Carrier Public Mobile Services Information, Cellular MSA/RSA Markets and Counties,” dated January 24, 1992, DA 92–109, 7 FCC Rcd 742 (1992), with the following modifications:

(i) The service areas of cellular markets that border the U.S. coastline of the Gulf of Mexico extend 12 nautical miles from the U.S. Gulf coastline.

(ii) The service area of cellular market 306 that comprises the water area of the Gulf of Mexico extends from 12 nautical miles off the U.S. Gulf coast outward into the Gulf.

(2) Service areas for Blocks B (1720–1730 MHz and 2120–2130 MHz) and C (1730–1735 MHz and 2130–2135 MHz) are based on Economic Areas (EAs) as defined in paragraph (a) of this section.

(3) Service areas for blocks D (1735–1740 MHz and 2135–2140 MHz), E (1740–1745 MHz and 2140–2145 MHz) and F (1745–1755 MHz and 2145–2155 MHz) are based on Regional Economic Area Groupings (REAGs) as defined by paragraph (a) of this section.

[62 FR 9658, Mar. 3, 1997, as amended at 64 FR 60726, Nov. 8, 1999; 65 FR 3145, Jan. 20, 2000; 65 FR 17602, Apr. 4, 2000; 65 FR 60113, Oct. 10, 2000; 67 FR 13225, Mar. 21, 2002; 67 FR 5510, Feb. 6, 2002; 67 FR 41854, June 20, 2002; 69 FR 5714, Feb. 6, 2004; 69 FR 77950, Dec. 29, 2004; 70 FR 58065, Oct. 5, 2005]

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