Goto Section: 101.101 | 101.105 | Table of Contents
FCC 101.103
Revised as of October 1, 2007
Goto Year:2006 |
2008
Sec. 101.103 Frequency coordination procedures.
(a) Assignment of frequencies will be made only in such a manner as to
facilitate the rendition of communication service on an interference-free
basis in each service area. Unless otherwise indicated, each frequency
available for use by stations in these services will be assigned exclusively
to a single applicant in any service area. All applicants for, and licensees
of, stations in these services must cooperate in the selection and use of
the frequencies assigned in order to minimize interference and thereby
obtain the most effective use of the authorized facilities. In the event
harmful interference occurs or appears likely to occur between two or more
radio systems and such interference cannot be resolved between the licensees
thereof, the Commission may specify a time sharing arrangement for the
stations involved or may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, require
the licensees to make such changes in operating techniques or equipment as
it may deem necessary to avoid such interference.
(b)(1) Operations in the bands 31,000–31,075 MHz and 31,225–31,300 MHz
licensed prior to March 11, 1997, were licensed on an unprotected basis and
are subject to harmful interference from similarly licensed operations in
that band.
(i) Operations licensed in the Local Mulitpoint Distribution Service and
those operations licensed prior to March 11, 1997, except in the Local
Television Transmission Service, operating in these bands are equally
protected against harmful interference from each other.
(ii) In the case of operations licensed prior to March 11, 1997, except in
the Local Television Transmission Service, that are licensed on a
point-to-radius basis, LMDS licensees shall be subject to the protection
requirement established in this section in the case of existing links
operated by such licensees, and in the case of links added by such licensees
in the future in accordance with the terms of their point-to-radius
licenses.
(iii) An LMDS licensee may not initiate operations within the
point-to-radius area licensed to an operator (other than an operator in the
Local Television Transmission Service) prior to March 11, 1997, even if such
operator has not initiated operations to the fullest extent of the license.
An LMDS licensee, however, may initiate operations at the border of such
operator's license area without prior coordination if the LMDS licensee's
operations would not cause harmful interference to the other operator's
existing operations.
(iv) An operator (other than an operator in the Local Television
Transmission Service) licensed on a point-to-radius basis prior to March 11,
1997, may add additional stations within its license area. Such operator
shall coordinate with any affected LMDS licensee if its new operations might
cause harmful interference to the existing operations of such LMDS licensee.
(v) Operations licensed prior to March 11, 1997, on a point-to-point basis
may not be extended or otherwise modified through the addition of
point-to-point links. Such operations shall be limited to the use of
frequency pairs licensed as of March 11, 1997. Operations licensed in the
Local Television Transmission Service as of March 11, 1997, may continue to
operate, but such operators may not expand existing operations nor initiate
new operations.
(2) Operations in the 31,075–31,225 MHz band licensed prior to March 11,
1997, shall receive no protection against harmful interference from
authorized operations in the Local Multipoint Distribution Service in that
band.
(3) Non-LMDS operations in the entire 31,000–31,300 MHz band licensed after
March 11, 1997, based on applications refiled no later than June 26, 1998
are unprotected with respect to each other and subject to harmful
interference from each other.
(i) Such operations and any operations licensed prior to March 11, 1997, in
the band are unprotected with respect to each other and subject to harmful
interference from each other.
(ii) Such operations are licensed on a secondary basis to LMDS operations
licensed in the band, may not cause interference to LMDS operations, and are
not protected from interference from LMDS operations.
(iii) Such operations licensed on a point-to-point basis may not be extended
or otherwise modified through the addition of point-to-point links. Such
operations licensed on a point-to-radius basis may add additional stations
within the licensed area.
(c) Frequency diversity transmission will not be authorized in these
services in the absence of a factual showing that the required
communications cannot practically be achieved by other means. Where
frequency diversity is deemed to be justified on a protection channel basis,
it will be limited to one protection channel for the bands 3,700–4,200,
5925–6425, and 6525–6875 MHz, and a ratio of one protection channel for
three working channels for the bands 10,550–10,680 and 10,700–11,700 MHz. In
the bands 3,700–4,200, 5,925–6,425, and 6525–6875 MHz, no frequency
diversity protection channel will be authorized unless there is a minimum of
three working channels, except that where a substantial showing is made that
a total of three working channels will be required within three years, a
protection channel may be authorized simultaneously with the first working
channel. A protection channel authorized under such exception will be
subject to termination if applications for the third working channel are not
filed within three years of the grant date of the applications for the first
working channel. Where equipment employing digital modulation techniques
with cross-polarized operation on the same frequency is used, the protection
channel authorized under the above conditions may be considered to consist
of both polarizations of the protection frequency where such is shown to be
necessary.
(d) Frequency coordination. For each frequency authorized under this part,
the following frequency usage coordination procedures will apply:
(1) General requirements. Proposed frequency usage must be prior coordinated
with existing licensees, permittees and applicants in the area, and other
applicants with previously filed applications, whose facilities could affect
or be affected by the new proposal in terms of frequency interference on
active channels, applied-for channels, or channels coordinated for future
growth. Coordination must be completed prior to filing an application for
regular authorization, or a major amendment to a pending application, or any
major modification to a license. In coordinating frequency usage with
stations in the fixed satellite service, applicants must also comply with
the requirements of Sec. 101.21(f). In engineering a system or modification
thereto, the applicant must, by appropriate studies and analyses, select
sites, transmitters, antennas and frequencies that will avoid interference
in excess of permissible levels to other users. All applicants and licensees
must cooperate fully and make reasonable efforts to resolve technical
problems and conflicts that may inhibit the most effective and efficient use
of the radio spectrum; however, the party being coordinated with is not
obligated to suggest changes or re-engineer a proposal in cases involving
conflicts. Applicants should make every reasonable effort to avoid blocking
the growth of systems as prior coordinated. The applicant must identify in
the application all entities with which the technical proposal was
coordinated. In the event that technical problems are not resolved, an
explanation must be submitted with the application. Where technical problems
are resolved by an agreement or operating arrangement between the parties
that would require special procedures be taken to reduce the likelihood of
interference in excess of permissible levels (such as the use of artificial
site shielding) or would result in a reduction of quality or capacity of
either system, the details thereof may be contained in the application.
(2) Coordination procedure guidelines are as follows:
(i) Coordination involves two separate elements: notification and response.
Both or either may be oral or in written form. To be acceptable for filing,
all applications and major technical amendments must certify that
coordination, including response, has been completed. The names of the
licensees, permittees and applicants with which coordination was
accomplished must be specified. If such notice and/or response is oral, the
party providing such notice or response must supply written documentation of
the communication upon request;
(ii) Notification must include relevant technical details of the proposal.
At minimum, this should include, as applicable, the following:
Applicant's name and address.
Transmitting station name.
Transmitting station coordinates.
Frequencies and polarizations to be added, changed or deleted.
Transmitting equipment type, its stability, actual output power, emission
designator, and type of modulation (loading).
Transmitting antenna type(s), model, gain and, if required, a radiation
pattern provided or certified by the manufacturer.
Transmitting antenna center line height(s) above ground level and ground
elevation above mean sea level.
Receiving station name.
Receiving station coordinates.
Receiving antenna type(s), model, gain, and, if required, a radiation
pattern provided or certified by the manufacturer.
Receiving antenna center line height(s) above ground level and ground
elevation above mean sea level.
Path azimuth and distance.
Estimated transmitter transmission line loss expressed in dB.
Estimated receiver transmission line loss expressed in dB.
For a system utilizing ATPC, maximum transmit power, coordinated transmit
power, and nominal transmit power.
Note: The position location of antenna sites shall be determined to an
accuracy of no less than 1 second in the horizontal dimensions (latitude
and longitude) and 1 meter in the vertical dimension (ground elevation)
with respect to the National Spacial Reference System.
(iii) For transmitters employing digital modulation techniques, the
notification should clearly identify the type of modulation. Upon request,
additional details of the operating characteristics of the equipment must
also be furnished;
(iv) Response to notification should be made as quickly as possible, even if
no technical problems are anticipated. Any response to notification
indicating potential interference must specify the technical details and
must be provided to the applicant, in writing, within the 30-day
notification period. Every reasonable effort should be made by all
applicants, permittees and licensees to eliminate all problems and
conflicts. If no response to notification is received within 30 days, the
applicant will be deemed to have made reasonable efforts to coordinate and
may file its application without a response;
(v) The 30-day notification period is calculated from the date of receipt by
the applicant, permittee, or licensee being notified. If notification is by
mail, this date may be ascertained by:
(A) The return receipt on certified mail;
(B) The enclosure of a card to be dated and returned by the recipient; or
(C) A conservative estimate of the time required for the mail to reach its
destination. In the last case, the estimated date when the 30-day period
would expire should be stated in the notification.
(vi) An expedited prior coordination period (less than 30 days) may be
requested when deemed necessary by a notifying party. The coordination
notice should be identified as “expedited” and the requested response date
should be clearly indicated. However, circumstances preventing a timely
response from the receiving party should be accommodated accordingly. It is
the responsibility of the notifying party to receive written concurrence (or
verbal, with written to follow) from affected parties or their coordination
representatives.
(vii) All technical problems that come to light during coordination must be
resolved unless a statement is included with the application to the effect
that the applicant is unable or unwilling to resolve the conflict and
briefly the reason therefor;
(viii) Where a number of technical changes become necessary for a system
during the course of coordination, an attempt should be made to minimize the
number of separate notifications for these changes. Where the changes are
incorporated into a completely revised notice, the items that were changed
from the previous notice should be identified. When changes are not numerous
or complex, the party receiving the changed notification should make an
effort to respond in less than 30 days. When the notifying party believes a
shorter response time is reasonable and appropriate, it may be helpful for
that party to so indicate in the notice and perhaps suggest a response date;
(ix) If, after coordination is successfully completed, it is determined that
a subsequent change could have no impact on some parties receiving the
original notification, these parties must be notified of the change and of
the coordinator's opinion that no response is required;
(x) Applicants, permittees and licensees should supply to all other
applicants, permittees and licensees within their areas of operations, the
name, address and telephone number of their coordination representatives.
Upon request from coordinating applicants, permittees and licensees, data
and information concerning existing or proposed facilities and future growth
plans in the area of interest should be furnished unless such request is
unreasonable or would impose a significant burden in compilation;
(xi) Parties should keep other parties with whom they are coordinating
advised of changes in plans for facilities previously coordinated. If
applications have not been filed 6 months after coordination was initiated,
parties may assume that such frequency use is no longer desired unless a
second notification has been received within 10 days of the end of the 6
month period. Renewal notifications are to be sent to all originally
notified parties, even if coordination has not been successfully completed
with those parties; and
(xii) Any frequency reserved by a licensee for future use in the bands
subject to this part must be released for use by another licensee, permittee
or applicant upon a showing by the latter that it requires an additional
frequency and cannot coordinate one that is not reserved for future use.
(e) Where frequency conflicts arise between co-pending applications in the
Private Operational Fixed Point-to-Point Microwave, Common Carrier Fixed
Point-to-Point Microwave and Local Television Transmission Services, it is
the obligation of the later filing applicant to amend his application to
remove the conflict, unless it can make a showing that the conflict cannot
be reasonably eliminated. Where a frequency conflict is not resolved and no
showing is submitted as to why the conflict cannot be resolved, the
Commission may grant the first filed application and dismiss the later filed
application(s) after giving the later filing applicant(s) 30 days to respond
to the proposed action.
(f) (1) Coordination and information sharing between MVDDS and NGSO FSS
licensees in the 12.2 GHz to 12.7 GHz band. Prior to the construction or
addition of an MVDDS transmitting antenna in this frequency band, the MVDDS
licensee shall provide notice of intent to construct the proposed antenna
site to NGSO FSS licensees operating in the 12.2–12.7 GHz frequency band and
maintain an Internet web site of all existing transmitting sites and
transmitting antennas that are scheduled for operation within one year
including the “in service” dates. In addition to the location of a proposed
new transmitting antenna, MVDDS licensees shall provide to the NGSO FSS
licensees a technical description of the operating characteristics of the
proposed transmission facility. At a minimum, the following information must
be included in each notification:
(i) Name of MVDDS licensee;
(ii) Geographic location (including NAD83 coordinates) of proposed MVDDS
transmitting antenna;
(iii) Maximum EIRP per 24 MHz;
(iv) Height above average terrain of the transmitting antenna;
(v) Type of antenna to be utilized;
(vi) Main beam azimuth and altitude orientation for the proposed
transmitting antenna;
(vii) Theoretically modeled antenna radiation pattern;
(viii) Type(s) of emissions, and;
(ix) Description of the proposed service area.
(2) If the proposed MVDDS antenna site does not meet the minimum spacing
requirements on the date of original notification or on subsequent annual
anniversary dates of non-operation as set forth in Sec. 101.129, then the MVDDS
licensee shall not construct the proposed transmission facility unless all
NGSO FSS licensees having active subscribers within the minimum separation
distance agree to a shorter spacing. Nothing in this section shall preclude
MVDDS and NGSO FSS licensees from agreeing to accept the siting of new MVDDS
transmitting antennas that do no meet the minimum distance set forth in
Sec. 101.129. Incumbent point-to-point licensees' (those not licensed as MVDDS)
facilities are to be operated in the band 12,200–12,700 MHz following the
procedures, technical standards, and requirements of Sec. 101.105 in order to
protect stations providing Direct Broadcast Satellite Service.
(g) Licensees operating in Basic Trading Areas authorized in the Local
Multipoint Distribution Service. (1) When the transmitting facilities in a
Basic Trading Area (BTA) are to be operated in the bands 27,500–28,350 MHz;
29,100–29,250 MHz; and 31,000–31,300 MHz and the facilities are located
within 20 kilometers of the boundaries of a BTA, each licensee must complete
the frequency coordination process of paragraph (d)(2) of this section with
respect to neighboring BTA licensees that may be affected by its operations
prior to initiating service. In addition, all licensed transmitting
facilities operating in the bands 31,000–31,075 MHz and 31,225–31,300 MHz
and located within 20 kilometers of neighboring facilities must complete the
frequency coordination process of paragraph (d)(2) of this section with
respect to such authorized operations before initiating service.
(2) Response to notification should be made as quickly as possible, even if
no technical problems are anticipated. Any response to notification
indicating potential interference must specify the technical details and
must be provided to the applicant, either electronically or in writing,
within the 30-day notification period. Every reasonable effort should be
made by all licensees to eliminate all problems and conflicts. If no
response to notification is received within 30 days, the licensee will be
deemed to have made reasonable efforts to coordinate and commence operation
without a response. The beginning of the 30-day period is determined
pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(v) of this section.
(h) Special requirements for operations in the band 29,100–29,250 MHz.
(1)(i) Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) receive stations
operating on frequencies in the 29,100–29,250 MHz band within a radius of 75
nautical miles of the geographic coordinates provided by a non-GSO-MSS
licensee pursuant to Sec. 101.113(c)(2) or (c)(3)(i) (the “feeder link earth
station complex protection zone”) shall accept any interference caused to
them by such earth station complexes and shall not claim protection from
such earth station complexes.
(ii) LMDS licensees operating on frequencies in the 29,100–29,250 MHz band
outside a feeder link earth station complex protection zone shall cooperate
fully and make reasonable efforts to resolve technical problems with the
non-GSO MSS licensee to the extent that transmissions from the non-GSO MSS
operator's feeder link earth station complex interfere with an LMDS receive
station.
(2) No more than 15 days after the release of a public notice announcing the
commencement of LMDS auctions, feeder link earth station complexes to be
licensed pursuant to Sec. 25.257 of this chapter shall be specified by a set of
geographic coordinates in accordance with the following requirements: no
feeder link earth station complex may be located in the top eight (8)
metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), ranked by population, as defined by
the Office of Management and Budget as of June 1993, using estimated
populations as of December 1992; two (2) complexes may be located in MSAs 9
through 25, one of which must be Phoenix, AZ (for a complex at Chandler,
AZ); two (2) complexes may be located in MSAs 26 to 50; three (3) complexes
may be located in MSAs 51 to 100, one of which must be Honolulu, Hawaii (for
a complex at Waimea); and the three (3) remaining complexes must be located
at least 75 nautical miles from the borders of the 100 largest MSAs or in
any MSA not included in the 100 largest MSAs. Any location allotted for one
range of MSAs may be taken from an MSA below that range.
(3)(i) Any non-GSO MSS licensee may at any time specify sets of geographic
coordinates for feeder link earth station complexes with each earth station
contained therein to be located at least 75 nautical miles from the border
of the 100 largest MSAs.
(ii) For purposes of paragraph (h)(3)(i) of this section, non-GSO MSS feeder
link earth station complexes shall be entitled to accommodation only if the
affected non-GSO MSS licensee preapplies to the Commission for a feeder link
earth station complex or certifies to the Commission within sixty days of
receiving a copy of an LMDS application that it intends to file an
application for a feeder link earth station complex within six months of the
date of receipt of the LMDS application.
(iii) If said non-GSO MSS licensee application is filed later than six
months after certification of the Commission, the LMDS and non-GSO MSS
entities shall still cooperate fully and make reasonable efforts to resolve
technical problems, but the LMDS licensee shall not be obligated to
re-engineer its proposal or make changes to its system.
(4) LMDS licensees or applicants proposing to operate hub stations on
frequencies in the 29,100–29,250 MHz band at locations outside of the 100
largest MSAs or within a distance of 150 nautical miles from a set of
geographic coordinates specified under paragraphs (h)(2) or (h)(3)(i) of
this section shall serve copies of their applications on all non-GSO MSS
applicants, permittees or licensees meeting the criteria specified in
Sec. 25.257(a). Non-GSO MSS licensees or applicants shall serve copies of their
feeder link earth station applications, after the LMDS auction, on any LMDS
applicant or licensee within a distance of 150 nautical miles from the
geographic coordinates that it specified under Sec. 101.113(c)(2) or (c)(3)(i).
Any necessary coordination shall commence upon notification by the party
receiving an application to the party who filed the application. The results
of any such coordination shall be reported to the Commission within sixty
days. The non-GSO MSS earth station licensee shall also provide all such
LMDS licensees with a copy of its channel plan.
(i)(1) When the licensed facilities are to be operated in the band 38,600
MHz to 40,000 MHz and the facilities are located within 16 kilometers of the
boundaries of an Economic Area, each licensee must complete the frequency
coordination process of subsection 101.103(d) with respect to neighboring EA
licensees and existing licensees within its EA service area that may be
affected by its operation prior to initiating service. In addition to the
technical parameters listed in subsection 101.103(d), the coordinating
licensee must also provide potentially affected parties technical
information related to its subchannelization plan and system geometry.
(2) Response to notification should be made as quickly as possible, even if
no technical problems are anticipated. Any response to notification
indicating potential interference must specify the technical details and
must be provided to the licensee, either electronically or in writing,
within 10 days of notification. Every reasonable effort should be made by
all licensees to eliminate all problems and conflicts. If no response to
notification is received within 10 days, the licensee will be deemed to have
made reasonable efforts to coordinate and may commence operation without a
response. The beginning of the 10-day period is determined pursuant to
Sec. 101.103(d)(v).
[ 61 FR 26677 , May 28, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 23165 , Apr. 29, 1997; 63 FR 6105 , Feb. 6, 1998; 63 FR 9448 , Feb. 25, 1998; 63 FR 14039 , Mar. 24, 1998;
63 FR 68983 , Dec. 14, 1998; 64 FR 45893 , Aug. 23, 1999; 65 FR 38328 , June
20, 2000; 67 FR 43037 , June 26, 2002]
Goto Section: 101.101 | 101.105
Goto Year: 2006 |
2008
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