The FCC is holding a free webinar on April 13, 2017 to assist existing license holders in the 3650-3700 MHz Band make the necessary filings with the FCC to obtain a Grandfathered Wireless Protection Zone for their licensed spectrum. Any existing license holder may wish to participate in the webinar as the window for requesting protection closes on August 7, 2017.
In 2015, the FCC created a new Citizens Broadband Radio Service (“CBRS”) in the 3550-3700 MHz band. In the order creating the new rules, the FCC included provisions that provide limited interference protection from CBRS users for registered base stations in the 3650-3700 MHz Band. Simplified, incumbents can generally receive protection for five years or the duration of their license, whichever is longer. In order to be eligible for protection, licensees must have registered their stations in the FCC’s ULS database by April 17, 2017 and constructed and operated them no later than April 17, 2016.
Last August 19, the FCC issued a public notice (“2016 Public Notice”) that announced the methodology for determining the protected contours for grandfathered 3650-3700 MHz band licensees. The Commission also indicated it would publish the process by which licensees must submit necessary information in the ULS to obtain protection. That information was made available in an April 2017 Public Notice.
By no later than August 7, 2017, a license holder must:
- Identify the relevant base stations registered in ULS as of April 17, 2015, that will be used to define the Grandfathered Wireless Protection Zone;
- Certify that the stations were constructed, operational, and in compliance with the Commission’s Rules as of April 17, 2016;
- Identify whether unregistered and/or registered CPE is being used with that base station; and
- If registered CPE equipment is being used –specify the distance to the furthest registered CPE.
Clients holding existing FCC licenses in the 3650-3700 MHz band are encouraged to participate in the FCC’s free webinar. If you have further questions about the FCC’s Grandfathered Wireless Protection Zone process, please contact Robert H. Jackson at 703-714-1316 or by email, rhj@commlawgroup.com.
