§101.147. Frequency assignments. — Inbound Citations

(a) Non-geostationary Mobile-Satellite Service (NGSO MSS) operators shall be licensed to use the 29.1-29.25 GHz band for Earth-to-space transmissions from feeder link earth station complexes. A “feeder link earth station complex” may include up to three (3) earth station groups, with each earth station group having up to four (4) antennas, located within a radius of 75 km of a given set of geographic coordinates provided by a NGSO MSS licensees or applicants pursuant to § 101.147.

(2) If TSB 10 guidelines cannot be used, the following interference protection criteria may be used by calculating the ratio in dB between the desired (carrier signal) and the undesired (interfering) signal (C/I ratio) appearing at the input to the receiver under investigation (victim receiver). Except as provided in § 101.147 where the applicant's proposed facilities are of a type not included in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section or where the development of the carrier-to-interference (C/I) ratio is not covered by generally acceptable procedures, or where the applicant does not wish to develop the carrier-to-interference ratio, the applicant must, in the absence of criteria or a developed C/I ratio, employ the following C/I protection ratios:

(i) Both side band and carrier-beat, applicable to all bands; the existing or previously authorized system must be afforded a carrier to interfering signal protection ratio of at least 90 dB, except in the 952-960 MHz band where it must be 75dB, and in the 71,000-76,000 MHz and 81,000-86,000 MHz bands where the criteria in paragraph (a)(5) of this section applies, and in the 92,000-94,000 MHz and 94,100-95,000 MHz bands, where the criteria in paragraph (a)(6) of this section applies; or

(ii) Applicable to all bands; the existing or previously authorized system must be afforded a carrier to interfering signal protection ratio of at least 56 dB, except in the 71,000-76,000 MHz and 81,000-86,000 MHz bands where the criteria in paragraph (a)(5) of this section applies, and in the 92,000-94,000 MHz and 94,100-95,000 MHz bands, where the criteria in paragraph (a)(6) of this section applies.

(1) MAS operators are prohibited from acquiring additional frequencies in the 928.0-928.85 MHz/952.0-952.85 MHz/956.25-956.45 MHz bands and the 932.25625-932.49375 MHz/941.25625-941.49375 MHz bands for the purpose of expanding private carrier service and from changing the use of their frequencies in any manner that is inconsistent with this part. Refer to § 101.147 for designated uses.

(4) Harmful interference. Interference that endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with these regulations.

Internodal link. A point-to-point communications link used to provide communications between nodal stations or to interconnect nodal stations to other communications media.

Landing area. A landing area means any locality, either of land or water, including airports and intermediate landing fields, which is used, or approved for use for the landing and take-off of aircraft, whether or not facilities are provided for the shelter, servicing, or repair of aircraft, or for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo.

Local Multipoint Distribution Service Backbone Link. A point-to-point radio service link in a Local Multipoint Distribution Service System that is used to interconnect Local Multipoint Distribution Service Hub Stations with each other or with the public switched telephone network.

Local Multipoint Distribution Service Hub Station. A fixed point-to-point or point-to-multipoint radio station in a Local Multipoint Distribution Service System that provides one-way or two-way communication with Local Multipoint Distribution Service Subscriber Stations.

Local Multipoint Distribution Service Subscriber Station. Any one of the fixed microwave radio stations located at users' premises, lying within the coverage area of a Local Multipoint Distribution Service Hub Station, capable of receiving one-way communications from or providing two-way communications with the Local Multipoint Distribution Service Hub Station.

Local Multipoint Distribution Service System. A fixed point-to-point or point-to-multipoint radio system consisting of Local Multipoint Distribution Service Hub Stations and their associated Local Multipoint Distribution Service Subscriber Stations.

Local television transmission service. A public radio communication service for the transmission of television material and related communications.

Long haul system. A microwave system licensed under this part in which the longest radio circuit of tandem radio paths exceeds 402 kilometers.

Master station. A station in a multiple address radio system that controls, activates or interrogates four or more remote stations. Master stations performing such functions may also receive transmissions from remote stations.

Message center. The point at which messages from members of the public are accepted by the carrier for transmission to the addressee.

Microwave frequencies. As used in this part, this term refers to frequencies of 890 MHz and above.

Microwave link. A link is defined as a simplex communications circuit between two points utilizing a single frequency/polarization assignment. A duplex communications circuit would require two links, one link in each direction.

Miscellaneous common carriers. Communications common carriers that are not engaged in the business of providing either a public landline message telephone service or public message telegraph service.

Mobile earth station. An earth station intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points.

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.

Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS). A fixed microwave service licensed in the 12.2-12.7 GHz band that provides various wireless services. Mobile and aeronautical operations are prohibited.

Multiple address system (MAS). A point-to-multipoint or point-to-point radio communications system used for either one-way or two-way transmissions that operates in the 928/952/956 MHz, the 928/959 MHz or the 932/941 MHz bands in accordance with § 101.147.

National Spatial Reference System. The National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) is the name given to all Geodetic Control information contained in the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Data Base. This includes: A, B, First, Second, and Third Order horizontal and vertical control observed by NGS as well as data submitted by other agencies (i.e., USGS, BLM, States, Counties, Cities, and private surveying organizations).

Necessary bandwidth. For a given class of emission, the width of the frequency band that is just sufficient to ensure the transmission of information at the rate and with the quality required under specified conditions. The necessary bandwidth may be calculated using the formulas in § 2.202 of this chapter.

Nodal station. The central or controlling stations in a microwave radio system operating on point-to-multipoint or multipoint-to-multipoint frequencies with one or more user stations or internodal links.

Occupied bandwidth. The width of a frequency bandwidth such that, below the lower and above the upper frequency limits, the mean powers emitted are each equal to a specified percentage, B/2 of the total mean power of a given emission. Unless otherwise specified by the CCIR for the appropriate class of emission, the value of B/2 should be taken as 0.5%.

Operational fixed station. A private fixed station not open to public correspondence.

Passive repeater. A re-radiation device associated with a transmitting/receiving antenna system that re-directs intercepted radiofrequency energy. For example, it may consist of reflector(s) or back-to-back parabolic or horn antennas.

Path length. The total distance of a path from the transmit to the receive antenna, inclusive of all passive repeaters, if any.

Payload capacity. The bit rate available for transmission of data over a radiocommunication system, excluding overhead data generated by the system.

Periscope antenna system. An antenna system which involves the use of a passive reflector to deflect radiation from or to a directional transmitting or receiving antenna which is oriented vertically or near vertically.

Prior coordination. A bilateral process conducted prior to filing applications which includes the distribution of the technical parameters of a proposed radio system to potentially affected parties for their evaluation and timely response.

Private carrier. An entity licensed in the private service and authorized to provide communications service to other private service eligibles on a commercial basis.

Private line service. A service whereby facilities for communication between two or more designated points are set aside for the exclusive use or availability for use of a particular customer and authorized users during stated periods of time.

Private operational fixed point-to-point microwave service. A private radio service rendered by fixed and temporary fixed stations on microwave frequencies for the exclusive use or availability for use of the licensee or other eligible entities for communication between two or more designated points. Service may be provided between points within the United States, points within United States possessions, or between the United States and points in Canada or Mexico.

Public correspondence. Any telecommunication which the offices and stations must, by reason of their being at the disposal of the public, accept for transmission.

Public message service. A service whereby facilities are offered to the public for communication between all points served by a carrier or by interconnected carriers on a non-exclusive message by message basis, contemplating a separate connection for each occasion of use.

Radio station. A separate transmitter or a group of transmitters under simultaneous common control, including the accessory equipment required for carrying on a radiocommunication service.

Radiocommunication. Telecommunication by means of radio waves.

Rated power output. The maximum radio frequency power output capability (peak or average power) of a transmitter, under optimum conditions of adjustment and operation, specified by its manufacturer.

Record communication. Any transmission of intelligence which is reduced to visual record form at the point of reception.

Reference frequency. A frequency having a fixed and specified position with respect to the assigned frequency. The displacement of this frequency with respect to the assigned frequency has the same absolute value and sign that the displacement of the characteristic frequency has with respect to the centre of the frequency band occupied by the emission.

Relay station. A fixed station used for the reception and retransmission of the signals of another station or stations.

Remote station. A fixed station in a multiple address radio system that transmits one-way to one or more central receive sites, controls a master station, or is controlled, activated or interrogated by, and may respond to, a master station.

Repeater station. A fixed station established for the automatic retransmission of radiocommunications received from one or more mobile stations and directed to a specified location; for public mobile radio operations, a fixed station that automatically retransmits the mobile communications and/or transmitter information about the base station, along a fixed point-to-point link between the base station and the central station.

Secondary operations. Radio communications which may not cause interference to operations authorized on a primary basis and which are not protected from interference from these primary operations.

Short haul system. A microwave system licensed under this part in which the longest radio circuit of tandem radio paths does not exceed 402 kilometers.

Signal booster. A device at a fixed location which automatically receives, amplifies, and retransmits on a one-way or two-way basis, the signals received from base, fixed, mobile, and portable stations, with no change in frequency or authorized bandwidth. A signal booster may be either narrowband (Class A), in which case the booster amplifies only those discrete frequencies intended to be retransmitted, or broadband (Class B), in which case all signals within the passband of the signal booster filter are amplified.

Signaling communication. One-way communications from a base station to a mobile or fixed receiver, or to multi-point mobile or fixed receivers by audible or subaudible means, for the purpose of actuating a signaling device in the receiver(s) or communicating information to the receiver(s), whether or not the information is to be retained in record form.

Standby transmitter. A transmitter installed and maintained for use in lieu of the main transmitter only during periods when the main transmitter is out of service for maintenance or repair.

Symbol rate. Modulation rate in bauds. This rate may be higher than the transmitted bit rate as in the case of coded pulses or lower as in the case of multilevel transmission.

Telegraphy. A form of telecommunication which is concerned in any process providing transmission and reproduction at a distance of documentary matter, such as written or printed matter or fixed images, or the reproduction at a distance of any kind of information in such a form. Unless otherwise specified, telegraphy means a form of telecommunication for the transmission of written matter by the use of signal code.

Telemetering. The use of telecommunication for automatic indicating or recording measurements at a distance from the measuring instrument.

Telephony. A form of telecommunication set up for the transmission of speech, or in some cases, other sounds.

Television. A form of telecommunication for transmission of transient images of fixed or moving objects.

Temporary fixed station. A station established in a non-permanent mode (temporary) at a specified location for a short period of time, ranging up to one year. Temporary-fixed operations are itinerant in nature, and are not to be confused with mobile-type operations.

Universal Licensing System (ULS). The consolidated database, application filing system and processing system for all Wireless Telecommunications Services. The ULS offers Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) applicants and the general public electronic filing of all applications requests, and full public access to all WTB licensing data.

User or subscriber station. The station(s) in a microwave radio system operating at the users' premises on point-to-multipoint or multipoint-to-multipoint frequencies and communicating with one or more nodal stations.

Video entertainment material. The transmission of a video signal (e.g., United States Standard Monochrome or National Television Systems Committee 525-line television) and an associated audio signal which is designed primarily to amuse or entertain, such as movies and games.

Stations in this service are authorized to render any kind of communication service provided for in the legally applicable tariffs of the carrier, unless otherwise directed in the applicable instrument of authorization or limited by § 101.147 or §§ 101.111 and 101.113.

(b) The requirements in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to remote stations using frequencies listed in § 101.147(b).

(3) Applicants for frequencies listed in § 101.147(b)(1) through (4) must make the following showings that protection criteria have been met over the entire service area of existing systems. Such showings may be made by the applicant or may be satisfied by a statement from a frequency coordinator.

(i) For site-based multiple address stations in the 928-929/952-960 MHz and the 932-932.5/941-941.5 MHz bands, a statement that the proposed system complies with the following co-channel separations from all existing stations and pending applications:

(ii) In cases where the geographic separation standard in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section is not followed, an engineering analysis must be submitted to show the coordination of the proposed assignment with existing systems located closer than those standards. The engineering analyses will include:

(A) Specification of the interference criteria and system parameters used in the interference study;

(B) Nominal service areas of each system included in the interference analysis;

(C) The propagation models used to establish the service boundary limits must be specified and any special terrain features considered in computing the interference impact should be described; and

(D) A statement that all parties affected have agreed to the engineering analysis and will accept the calculated levels of interference.

(iii) MAS EA licensees shall provide protection in accordance with § 101.1333.

(3) Applicants for frequencies listed in § 101.147(b)(1) through (4) must make the following showings that protection criteria have been met over the entire service area of existing systems. Such showings may be made by the applicant or may be satisfied by a statement from a frequency coordinator.

(i) For site-based multiple address stations in the 928-929/952-960 MHz and the 932-932.5/941-941.5 MHz bands, a statement that the proposed system complies with the following co-channel separations from all existing stations and pending applications:

(ii) In cases where the geographic separation standard in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section is not followed, an engineering analysis must be submitted to show the coordination of the proposed assignment with existing systems located closer than those standards. The engineering analyses will include:

(A) Specification of the interference criteria and system parameters used in the interference study;

(B) Nominal service areas of each system included in the interference analysis;

(C) The propagation models used to establish the service boundary limits must be specified and any special terrain features considered in computing the interference impact should be described; and

(D) A statement that all parties affected have agreed to the engineering analysis and will accept the calculated levels of interference.

(iii) MAS EA licensees shall provide protection in accordance with § 101.1333.

(3) Applicants for frequencies listed in § 101.147(b)(1) through (4) must make the following showings that protection criteria have been met over the entire service area of existing systems. Such showings may be made by the applicant or may be satisfied by a statement from a frequency coordinator.

(i) For site-based multiple address stations in the 928-929/952-960 MHz and the 932-932.5/941-941.5 MHz bands, a statement that the proposed system complies with the following co-channel separations from all existing stations and pending applications:

(ii) In cases where the geographic separation standard in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section is not followed, an engineering analysis must be submitted to show the coordination of the proposed assignment with existing systems located closer than those standards. The engineering analyses will include:

(A) Specification of the interference criteria and system parameters used in the interference study;

(B) Nominal service areas of each system included in the interference analysis;

(C) The propagation models used to establish the service boundary limits must be specified and any special terrain features considered in computing the interference impact should be described; and

(D) A statement that all parties affected have agreed to the engineering analysis and will accept the calculated levels of interference.

(iii) MAS EA licensees shall provide protection in accordance with § 101.1333.

(3) Applicants for frequencies listed in § 101.147(b)(1) through (4) must make the following showings that protection criteria have been met over the entire service area of existing systems. Such showings may be made by the applicant or may be satisfied by a statement from a frequency coordinator.

(i) For site-based multiple address stations in the 928-929/952-960 MHz and the 932-932.5/941-941.5 MHz bands, a statement that the proposed system complies with the following co-channel separations from all existing stations and pending applications:

(ii) In cases where the geographic separation standard in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section is not followed, an engineering analysis must be submitted to show the coordination of the proposed assignment with existing systems located closer than those standards. The engineering analyses will include:

(A) Specification of the interference criteria and system parameters used in the interference study;

(B) Nominal service areas of each system included in the interference analysis;

(C) The propagation models used to establish the service boundary limits must be specified and any special terrain features considered in computing the interference impact should be described; and

(D) A statement that all parties affected have agreed to the engineering analysis and will accept the calculated levels of interference.

(iii) MAS EA licensees shall provide protection in accordance with § 101.1333.

Frequencies in the 1850-1990 MHz band listed in § 101.147(c) of this chapter have been allocated for use by PCS. In accordance with procedures specified in §§ 101.69 through 101.81 of this chapter, PCS entities (both licensed and unlicensed) are required to relocate the existing Fixed Microwave Services (FMS) licensees in these bands if interference to the existing FMS operations would occur. All PCS entities who benefit from spectrum clearance by other PCS entities or a voluntarily relocating microwave incumbent, must contribute to such relocation costs. PCS entities may satisfy this requirement by entering into private cost-sharing agreements or agreeing to terms other than those specified in § 24.243. However, PCS entities are required to reimburse other PCS entities or voluntarily relocating microwave incumbents that incur relocation costs and are not parties to the alternative agreement. In addition, parties to a private cost-sharing agreement may seek reimbursement through the clearinghouse (as discussed in § 24.241) from PCS entities that are not parties to the agreement. The cost-sharing plan is in effect during all phases of microwave relocation specified in § 101.69 of this chapter. If a licensee in the Broadband PCS Service enters into a spectrum leasing arrangement (as set forth in part 1, subpart X of this chapter) and the spectrum lessee triggers a cost-sharing obligation, the licensee is the PCS entity responsible for satisfying the cost-sharing obligations under §§ 24.239 through 24.253.

Pursuant to § 2.301 of this chapter, MVDDS systems in the United States within 56 km (35 miles) of the Canadian and Mexican border will be granted conditional licenses, until final international agreements are approved. These systems may not cause harmful interference to stations in Canada or Mexico. MVDDS stations must comply with the procedures outlined under §§ 101.147(p) and 1.928(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this chapter until final international agreements concerning MVDDS are signed. Section 1.928(f) of this chapter states that transmitting antennas can be located as close as five miles (eight kilometers) of the border if they point within a sector of 160 degrees away from the border, and as close as thirty-five miles (fifty-six km) of the border if they point within a sector of 200 degrees toward the border without coordination with Canada. MVDDS licensees shall apply this method near the Canadian and Mexican borders. No stations are allowed within 5 miles of the borders.

(139) US139 In the band 18.3-19.3 GHz, earth station licensees in the fixed-satellite service (space-to-Earth) may require that licensees of grandfathered stations in the fixed service cease operations in accordance with the provisions in § 101.95 of this chapter.

(1) No application seeking authority for fixed stations, under parts 74, 78, or 101 of this chapter, supporting the operations of Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPD) in the 17.7-17.8 GHz band or to operate in the 17.8-19.7 GHz band for any service will be accepted for filing if the proposed station is located within 20 km (or within 55 km if the modification application is for an outdoor low power operation pursuant to § 101.147(r)(14) of this chapter) of Denver, CO (39°43′ N., 104°46′ W.) or Washington, DC (38°48′ N., 76°52′ W.).

(vii) With respect to the 21.8-22.1 GHz and 23.0-23.3 GHz band, the filed application(s) does not propose to operate on a frequency pair centered on other than 21.825/23.025 GHz, 21.875/23.075 GHz, 21.925/23.125 GHz, 21.975/23.175 GHz, 22.025/23.225 GHz or 22.075/23.275 GHz and does not propose to operate with an E.I.R.P. greater than 55 dBm. The center frequencies are shifted from the center frequencies listed above for certain bandwidths as follows: add 0.005 GHz for 20 MHz bandwidth channels, add 0.010 GHz for 30 megahertz bandwidth channels, and subtract 0.005 GHz for 40 MHz bandwidth channels. See specific channel listings in § 101.147(s).

(1) An applicant for a new point-to-point microwave radio station(s) or a modification of an existing station(s) in the 952.95-956.15 and 956.55-959.75 MHz band segments; the 3700-4200, 5925-6425, 6525-6875, and 6875-7125 MHz bands; the 10.550-10.680, 10.700-11.700, 12.700-13.150, 13.200-13.250, 17.700-18.300, and 19.300-19.700 GHz bands; and the 21.800-22.000 and 23.000-23.200 GHz band segments (see § 101.147(s)(8) for specific service usage) may operate the proposed station(s) during the pendency of its applications(s) upon the filing of a properly completed formal application(s) that complies with subpart B of this part, if the applicant certifies that the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) The frequency coordination procedures of § 101.103 have been successfully completed;

(ii) The antenna structure(s) has been previously studied by the Federal Aviation Administration and determined to pose no hazard to aviation safety as required by subpart B of part 17 of this chapter; or the antenna or tower structure does not exceed 6.1 meters above ground level or above an existing man-made structure (other than an antenna structure), if the antenna or tower has not been previously studied by the Federal Aviation Administration and cleared by the FCC;

(iv) The applicant has determined that the facility(ies) will not significantly affect the environment as defined in § 1.1307 of this chapter;

(v) The station site does not lie within 56.3 kilometers of any international border, within areas identified in §§ 1.924(a) through (d) of this chapter unless the affected entity consents in writing to conditional operation or, if for any services on frequencies in the 17.8-19.7 GHz band and for MVPD operations in the 17.7-17.8 GHz band, within any of the areas identified in § 1.924 of this chapter;

(vi) If operated on frequencies in the 10.6-10.68 GHz band, the station site does not lie within any of the following regions:

(vii) With respect to the 21.8-22.1 GHz and 23.0-23.3 GHz band, the filed application(s) does not propose to operate on a frequency pair centered on other than 21.825/23.025 GHz, 21.875/23.075 GHz, 21.925/23.125 GHz, 21.975/23.175 GHz, 22.025/23.225 GHz or 22.075/23.275 GHz and does not propose to operate with an E.I.R.P. greater than 55 dBm. The center frequencies are shifted from the center frequencies listed above for certain bandwidths as follows: add 0.005 GHz for 20 MHz bandwidth channels, add 0.010 GHz for 30 megahertz bandwidth channels, and subtract 0.005 GHz for 40 MHz bandwidth channels. See specific channel listings in § 101.147(s).

(viii) The filed application(s) is consistent with the proposal that was coordinated pursuant to § 101.103.

(e) All NGSO MSS operators shall cooperate fully and make reasonable efforts to identify mutually acceptable locations for feeder link earth station complexes. In this regard, any single NGSO MSS operator may identify only one feeder-link earth station complex protection zone in each category identified in § 101.147(y)(2) of this chapter until the other NGSO MSS operator has been given an opportunity to select a location from the same category.