PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 10-480 Released: March 23, 2010 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU CERTIFIES ADDITIONAL FREQUENCY COORDINATORS FOR 800/900 MHz BUSINESS/INDUSTRIAL/LAND TRANSPORTATION POOL WT Docket No. 10-3 In 1986, the Commission certified frequency coordinators in the private land mobile radio services.1 At this time, the American Automobile Association (AAA) was certified to coordinate certain frequencies below 512 MHz. In 1997, the Commission determined that the Industrial/Business Pool below 512 MHz would be administered by multiple coordinators, thus ending exclusive frequency coordination on certain frequencies and allowing competition to be introduced into the coordination process in those frequencies.2 The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) subsequently introduced competitive coordination to the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands, and indicated that the below- 512 MHz frequency coordinators were generally qualified to coordinate frequencies in the 800 and 900 MHz bands.3 By request filed July 7, 2009, and supplemented December 29, 2009, AAA requested certification to provide frequency coordination for Business/Industrial/Land Transportation (B/ILT) Pool frequencies in the 806-816/851-861 MHz and 896-901/935-940 MHz bands. Noting that the Commission found it qualified to be certified for the Industrial/Business Pool below 512 MHz, AAA stated that it is qualified, and meets the criteria to be certified, to coordinate applications for the 800/900 MHz B/ILT Pool. AAA stated that granting its request would be in the public interest and consistent with the Commission’s statements in support of competition. The Bureau sought comment on AAA’s request on January 5, 2010.4 Three comments and one reply were received, mostly in support of the request.5 We have reviewed the record, and hereby certify 1 See Frequency Coordination in the Private Land Mobile Radio Services, Report and Order, PR Docket No. 83- 737, 103 F.C.C. 2d 1093 (1986). 2 See Replacement of Part 90 by Part 88 to Revise the Private Land Mobile Radio Services and Modify the Policies Governing Them and Examination of Exclusivity and Frequency Assignments Policies of the Private Land Mobile Services, Second Report and Order, PR Docket No. 92-235, 12 FCC Rcd 14307, 14328 ¶ 40 (1997). The introduction of competition among coordinators was intended to promote lower coordination costs and foster better service to the public. Id. 3 See United Telecom Council, Order, 16 FCC Rcd 8436, 8443 ¶ 13 (WTB PSPWD 2001). The Bureau has granted five previous requests for certification to coordinate the 800/900 MHz B/ILT Pool. See http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing_3&id=industrial_business#800/900%20MHz%20Coordinat ors. 4 See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Informal Request of American Automobile Association for Certification to Provide Frequency Coordination for 800/900 MHz Business/Industrial/Land Transportation Pool Frequencies, Public Notice, WT Docket No. 10-3, 25 FCC Rcd 526 (WTB MD 2010). 2 AAA to coordinate Business/Industrial/Land Transportation Pool frequencies in the 806-816/851-861 MHz and 896-901/935-940 MHz bands.6 Action by the Deputy Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. – FCC – 5 Comments were filed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Mobile Relay Associates (MRA), and Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA), and AAA filed reply comments. Only MRA opposed AAA’s request, on the grounds that AAA is not qualified. While MRA identifies a number of AAA coordinations below 512 MHz that were defective, we agree with EWA that AAA’s overall record demonstrates that it is qualified to coordinate applications for the 800/900 MHz B/ILT Pool. We also conclude that EWA’s broader proposals regarding the frequency coordination process go beyond the scope of this proceeding, so we will not address them herein. 6 As requested by AASHTO, we condition our certification of AAA to coordinate vacated spectrum in the 809- 809.5/854-854.5 MHz band on AAA executing the Memorandum of Agreement that was submitted to the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau by the Public Safety Communications Council in conjunction with EWA, PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association, and the Utilities Telecommunications Council on May 22, 2009. AAA states in its reply comments that it will do so.