PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 13-2096 Released: October 30, 2013 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL’S 4.9 GHZ NATIONAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS FINAL REPORT WP Docket No. 07-100, PS Docket No. 06-229, WT Docket No. 06-150 Comments Date: November 22, 2013 Reply Comments Date: December 13, 2013 By this Public Notice, the Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on the above-captioned 4.9 GHz National Plan Recommendations Final Report (Report) submitted by the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) on October 24, 2013. 1 NPSTC filed this Report in connection with a Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice) released by the Commission on June 13, 2013, which considered a number of issues to improve spectrum efficiency and to encourage greater use of the 4940-4990 MHz (4.9 GHz) band for public safety communications. 2 In that proceeding, the Commission noted, inter alia, that it wanted “to reevaluate our existing policies and to consider approaches to spur robust and efficient use in this band.” 3 Specifically, the Commission sought comment on alternative frequency coordination proposals, current uses of the band, cost-effective ways to improve accessibility, and proposals regarding expanded eligibility, as well as alternative licensing approaches. 4 The Commission received several comments, including comments filed by NPSTC. In its comments, NPSTC encouraged the Commission to develop a 1 4.9 GHz National Plan Recommendations, Final Report, filed by National Public Safety Telecommunications Council in a letter from Ralph A. Haller, Chair, NPSTC, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, dated October 24, 2013 (Report). The Report can be found at http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7520950503 (last accessed Oct. 28, 2013). 2 In the Matter of Amendment of Part 90 of the Commission’s Rules; Implementing a Nationwide, Broadband, Interoperable Public Safety Network in the 700 MHz Band; Service Rules for the 698-746, 747-762 and 777-792 MHz Bands; WP Docket No. 07-100, PS Docket No. 06-229, WT Docket No. 06-150, Fourth Report and Order and Fifth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 27 FCC Rcd 6577 (2012) (Fifth FNPRM). 3 Id. at 6584 ¶17. 4 Id. 2national plan for developing the 4.9 GHz band, and it offered “to develop [guidelines for a national plan], in collaboration with established frequency advisory committees and regional planning committees.” 5 We now seek comment on NPSTC’s Report, which provides additional information and proposes guidance on issues affecting the operation of public safety communications in the 4.9 GHz band. Interested parties may file comments on or before November 22, 2013 6 and reply comments on or before December 13, 2013. 7 Parties may file comments and replies electronically 8 or by paper. All comments and reply comments should reference the subject Petition and the DA number indicated on this Public Notice. Comments may be filed: (1) electronically by accessing the applicant’s file number(s) in the Commission’s Universal Service Licensing System (ULS), 9 or (2) by filing paper copies. Electronic Filers: Pleadings may be submitted electronically as follows: ? From the ULS website at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/, begin the process of submitting a pleading by clicking on the “ULS Pleadings” link in the menu on the lower left side of the ULS web page. The link will take you to the Pleading Information screen for non-docketed pleadings where you select “Reply” in the drop-down window for the type of pleading and then enter the pleadings filer information. Completion of the contact information is optional. Upon completion of this screen, please note the instructions for the filing: “Pleadings must be dated and must include a signature, in this instance an electronic signature, and the address and phone number of the signing party.” 10 Click on “CONTINUE.” ? The second step is to complete the File Numbers/Call Signs screen. Select whether the pleading pertains to a file number or call sign and enter the file number or call sign. 11 Please note that you must enter a file number or call sign to continue. If the pleading pertains to multiple applications or licenses, you must enter each File Number or Call Sign as appropriate. After clicking the “SUBMIT” button, the screen will update to show all the file numbers/call signs associated with the pleading. At this time, you may delete selected file numbers/call signs from the page before continuing. ? The third step is to complete the Attach File screen to attach the pleading document. Use the drop down box to select “Pleading” or “Confidential Pleading.” The “BROWSE” button opens a file upload window where you will locate and select your pleading file. The “Description” field allows you to enter a brief description for the pleading. Click the “ADD 5 NPSTC Comments at 1. NPSTC Comments can be found at http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7022038091 (last accessed on Oct. 28, 2013). 6 47 C.F.R. § 1.405. 7 Id. 8 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). 9 See “Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Enhances the Commission’s Universal Licensing System to Implement Electronic Filing for Pleadings,” Public Notice, 21 FCC Rcd 424 (WTB 2006). See http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-125A1.pdf. 10 See 47 C.F.R. Part 1. 11 The file number of Florida’s application is listed beneath the title of this Public Notice. 3ATTACHMENT” button to upload your pleading. You may submit up to thirty files for each pleading, but each file must be smaller than 10 MB in size. You also have the opportunity to delete any selected file from the pleading. ? Finally, to complete your electronic pleading submission, click on the “SUBMIT PLEADING” button and the Confirmation screen will be displayed. The Confirmation screen will display your Confirmation Number as well as your entered pleading’s information. You may print this page for your records by selecting the “Print Page” link at the top of the page and you have the option of submitting another pleading or returning to the ULS website by selecting a link at the bottom of the page. The ULS Application and License Search results will display pleadings under the “ADMIN” tab when a comment or reply comment has been filed. Users can view the pleading by clicking on the link for the specific comment or reply comment in the Description field. The general public will not be able to view confidential pleadings. For additional information or assistance on how to file a comment or reply comment or other relevant pleading, you may visit the Web at http://esupport.fcc.gov. You may also call the FCC ULS Customer Support Center at (877) 480-3201 and select option 2, or (888) 225-5322 and select option 2, or (717) 338-2888. For TTY, please call (717) 338-2824. Assistance from the FCC ULS Customer Support Center is available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays). To provide quality service and ensure security, all telephone calls to FCC ULS Customer Support Center are recorded. Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must submit an original and four copies of each filing. ? Send hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th Street SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building. ? Send commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. ? Send U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority to 445 12th Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20554. The application(s), waiver request, comments and reply comments can be accessed electronically via the Commission’s Universal Licensing System, http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls. The full text of the Petition, comments and reply comments will be available for inspection and copying during business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. The documents may also be purchased from BCPI. Email fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, (voice) (202) 418-0530, (TTY) (202) 418-0432 to request materials in formats accessible to people with disabilities, e.g., Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format. 4For further information regarding this proceeding contact Thomas Eng, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, (voice) (202) 418-0019 or Thomas.Eng@fcc.gov. - FCC -