FCC/NTIA Coordination Procedures In The 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz Bands

In March 2014, the Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules that will make available significantly more spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). The rules are a milestone in providing commercial access to new spectrum bands through a spectrum-sharing arrangement with incumbent federal users. As part of that arrangement, the Commission’s AWS-3 rules require successful coordination with Federal incumbents prior to operation in Protection Zones (also referred to here as coordination zones).

By this Public Notice the Commission, through its Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provide (i) information for potential bidders in the AWS-3 auction and (ii) guidance to the ultimate AWS-3 licensees and the affected Federal incumbents regarding coordination between Federal and non-Federal for shared use of the 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz bands. The joint nature of this Public Notice reflects intersecting jurisdictions of the Commission (commercial users) and NTIA (Federal users) in these bands.

FCC Commissioner Pai said: “My position is simple. I can’t cast an informed vote on new coordination zones if I don’t know what those coordination zones are. Voting first and then learning about what you’ve voted on is irresponsible. Unfortunately, others disagreed; the item was pulled from the full Commission and pushed out at the Bureau level today. This is no way to run a railroad.


FCC/NTIA Coordination Procedures In The 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz Bands Statement (Commissioner Pai)