FCC Record, Volume 27, No. 7, Pages 5674 to 6652, May 23 - June 15, 2012 Page: 6,584
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III. FIFTH FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
16. In 2002, when the Commission allocated the 4.9 GHz band for fixed and mobile services
in support of public safety, it envisioned that the band would support new broadband applications such as
high-speed digital technologies and wireless local area networks (WLANs) for incident scene
management, dispatch operations, and vehicular/personal communications.4" This allocation responded to
new national priorities focusing on homeland security, and was designed "to transition to an environment
in which the public safety community enjoys maximum access to emerging broadband technologies."46
The Commission's allocation gained extensive support by first responders, the National Public Safety
Telecommunications Council (NPSTC), and others asserting that the public safety community was in
great need of additional spectrum to meet their critical operations needs, and that the 4.9 GHz band was
ideal for these emerging broadband technologies.47
17. Notwithstanding the Commission's action to accord primary status to broadband
permanent fixed point-to-point links in 2009,48 we believe that the development of the 4.9 GHz band, to
date, has fallen short of its potential.49 We therefore take this opportunity to reevaluate our existing
policies and to consider new approaches to spur robust and efficient use in this band. Toward that end,
we seek comment on a number of important issues. First, we solicit views on the alternative frequency
coordination proposals for 4.9 GHz licensees advanced in response to our Further Notice. Second, we
seek comment on how 4.9 GHz licensees currently use this spectrum, how we might obtain more
information about such uses, what applications and uses are best suited for the band, and what are the
most cost-effective ways to improve accessibility to the band while minimizing the adverse impact on
incumbent operations. We seek comment on specific proposals regarding expanded eligibility and
alternative licensing approaches. Next, we seek comment about the impact of the newly enacted
Spectrum Act on broadband uses of the 4.9 GHz band by public safety entities. We also seek comment
on adjustments to the existing channel plan for this band and other technical changes designed to promote
more efficient use of the spectrum. Finally, we ask whether the need for interoperability warrants the
adoption of technical standards in this band.
18. In this Fifth Further Notice, we also request comment on a wide range of questions that
will enable us to weigh the costs and benefits associated with all rule changes we will be considering. For
this reason, we request that commenters provide specific data and information, such as actual or estimated
dollar figures for each specific cost or benefit addressed, including a description of how the data or
information was calculated or obtained and any supporting documentation or other evidentiary support.
All comments will be considered and given appropriate weight. Vague or unsupported assertions
45 See The 4.9 GHz Band Transferred from Federal Government Use, WT Docket No. 00-32, Second Report and
Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 17 FCC Rcd 3955, 3956 1 (2002).
46 Id.
47 Id., 17 FCC Red at 3960-61 7.
4A See Report and Order, 24 FCC Red at 4303 9.
49 There are 2,442 licenses in the 4.9 GHz band, based on an FCC Universal Licensing System search on May 23,
2012. (Search parameters: Radio Service = PA - Public Safety 4940-4990 MHz Band; Authorization Type
Regular; Status = Active.) We estimate that fewer than 2,442 governmental entities hold these licenses because
certain entities may have multiple licenses. By contrast, Census Bureau data for 2007 indicate that there were
89,476 local governmental jurisdictions in the United States, all of which are eligible to hold licenses in the 4.9 GHz
band. See U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012, Section 8, at 267, Table 428; 47
C.F.R. 90.523(a), 90.1203(a).6584
Federal Communications Commission
FCC 12-61
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United States. Federal Communications Commission. FCC Record, Volume 27, No. 7, Pages 5674 to 6652, May 23 - June 15, 2012, book, June 2012; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc111171/m1/927/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.