Updated: Aug 19, 2019
On July 12, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) adopted an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Order” and “NPRM”) in the July Open Meeting seeking to expand flexible use of the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz Band (“3.7 GHz Band” or “C-Band”) (GN Docket No. 18-122). The Order seeks to collect additional information on earth and space stations operating in the C-Band in order to enable the Commission to make informed decisions about the scope of future uses of the band, and appropriate methodology for transferring all or part of the band for mobile services. The NPRM seeks comment on proposals to promote more spectrum efficient and intensive fixed use of the band on a shared basis and on various aspects of incumbent use in the band, and encourages comments analyzing the cost and benefits of any proposed approach.
On August 20, 2018, the Commission published the Order in the Federal Register, therefore establishing the following effective date:
The certification requirements are effective August 20, 2018, except for the Earth Station and Space Station Information Collections (¶ 7-12) which require OMB approval and will be published in the Federal Register at a later date.
On August 29, 2018, the Commission published the Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register therefore establishing the following comment dates:
Comments are due October 29, 2018.
Reply Comments are due November 27, 2018.
On April 4, 2019, the Commission published in the Federal Register that OMB has approved on January 28, 2019, the information collection requirements associated with the August 2018 Order and Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking in the 3.7-4.2 GHz Band (“C-Band”) proceeding. The information collections are effective as of April 4, 2019.
This publication makes effective the reporting requirement for additional earth station information, regardless of whether the station is licensed or registered, including: earth station call sign, geographic location where the equipment is stored, area where the equipment is used, how often the equipment is used, number of transponders used and the extent of use, and contact information. Earth station operators are also encouraged to update information in the event of a change in any of the operational parameters.
For space station data, operators with existing FSS space station licenses or grants of US market access in the C-Band will be required to provide: satellite call sign, name, and orbital location; expected end-of-life for satellite; approximate dates that any additional C-Band satellites with a currently pending IBFS application are planned for launch; whether any additional C-Band satellites that do not have a currently pending application are planned for launch; and specific information for each transponder operating in the C-Band, including capacity and tracking information.
On April 11, 2019, the Commission released a Public Notice (“Notice”) announcing the May 28, 2019 deadline for the submission of certifications and additional information on earth station and satellite use of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (“C-Band”). This information collection is associated with the Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the C-Band proceeding and received OMB approval on January 28, 2019.
Specifically, today’s Notice outlines the language required for earth station certifications and the required information, along with IBFS filing instructions and the deadline for submission. The Notice also states that earth station operators that filed for new or modified licenses or registrations between April 19, 2018 and October 31, 2018 are exempt from the certification requirement.
Note that all earth station operators, including those that are exempt from these certification requirements, are required to update their information in IBFS in the event of a change in contact information or any of the operational parameters.
Information must be submitted by May 28, 2019.
Please Contact Us if you have any questions.