NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: August 20, 2013 Justin Cole, 202-418-8191 Email: justin.cole@fcc.gov FCC and Industry Canada Agree on New Spectrum Sharing Arrangements Along the U.S.- Canada Border Arrangements Will Facilitate Deployment of Wireless Broadband Services and General Aviation Air-to-Ground Communications Service Washington D.C – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry Canada have agreed on three interim spectrum sharing arrangements covering a range of wireless communications operations along the U.S.-Canada border. The arrangements, which govern various spectrum bands, will enable greater wireless broadband deployment, improved general aviation air-to-ground communications services, and more efficient use of spectrum for specialized mobile radio services. Commenting on the new spectrum sharing arrangements, Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn said: “The arrangements announced today will help pave the way for improved wireless broadband deployment along the U.S.-Canada border for consumers and businesses, among other multiple public and commercial benefits. The arrangements are also critical to maximizing interference protection for commercial licensees operating along our common border with Canada, and will also promote more efficient use of spectrum. The arrangements were reached as a result of a collaborative effort by the FCC, the State Department, NTIA and Industry Canada.” The three spectrum sharing arrangements are: Fixed Services – Arrangement V – 71-76, 81-86, and 94.1-95 GHz. This new Arrangement among the FCC, NTIA and Industry Canada will facilitate deployment of fixed services within the border area, and will allow licensees to provide a broad range of products and services, including backhaul for mobile broadband networks, high-speed wireless local area networks and broadband Internet access over high bandwidth point to point links. It governs the sharing and coordination of spectrum in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94 GHz and 94.1-95 GHz bands. Air-to-Ground Services – Statement of Intent for the Frequency Bands 454.6625-454.9875 MHz and 459.6625-459.9875 MHz. This new Statement of Intent allows for creation of a nationwide digital system covering the sharing and coordination of spectrum for the establishment and operation of general aviation air-ground services. It provides for sharing of spectrum when operations are located within various distances (ranging from approximately 490 – 580 kilometers) of the common border, specifically air-to-ground and fixed services in the 454.6625-454.9875 MHz and 459.6625-459.9875 MHz bands. Specialized Mobile Radio Services – Arrangement U – 896-901 and 935-940 MHz. The 896-901 and 935-940 MHz bands are used by the Specialized Mobile Radio Services (SMR) and the business/industrial radio services primarily for voice communications. This new Arrangement, which governs the sharing and coordination of such services operating within 100 kilometers of the common border, simplifies the criteria for permitting secondary users in the band, thus enabling more efficient use of the spectrum while protecting primary users. Because Arrangement U may become part of a larger treaty or replacement agreement governing services operating above 30 MHz, the operational provisions of Arrangement U will be applied on an interim basis pending further review by legal officers. The arrangements and accompanying letters are available for reference in the FCC’s Reference Information Center at 445 12th Street, S.W., Courtyard Level, Washington, D.C. 20554. Copies may be purchased by contacting the FCC’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington D.C. 20554, telephone 1-800-378-3160, facsimile 202- 488-5563, or via e-mail at www.bcpiweb.com. The arrangements and exchange of letters are available at http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/international-agreements. Contacts: Larry Olson, International Bureau at (202) 418-2142, Tim Maguire, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-2155, and Stephen Buenzow, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (717) 338-2647. - FCC -