Sec.  22.946   Service commencement and construction systems.

   (a) Commencement of service. New cellular systems must be at least partially
   constructed and begin providing cellular service to subscribers within the
   service commencement periods specified in Table H–1 of this section. Service
   commencement  periods  begin  on  the  date  of  grant  of the initial
   authorization,  and  are  not  extended  by  the  grant  of subsequent
   authorizations for the cellular system (such as for major modifications).
   The licensee must notify the FCC (FCC Form 601) after the requirements of
   this section are met ( see  Sec. 1.946 of this chapter).

   Table H–1—Commencement of Service
   Type of cellular system Required to commence service in
   The first system authorized on each channel block in markets 1–90 36 months.
   The first system authorized on each channel block in all other markets and
   any subsequent systems authorized pursuant to contracts in partitioned
   markets 18 months.
   The first system authorized on each channel block in the Gulf of Mexico
   Exclusive Zone No requirement.
   All other systems 12 months.

   (b) To satisfy this requirement, a cellular system must be interconnected
   with the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and must be providing
   service  to mobile stations operated by its subscribers and roamers. A
   cellular  system  is considered to be providing service only if mobile
   stations can originate telephone calls to and receive telephone calls from
   wireline telephones through the PSTN.

   (c) Construction period for specific facilities. The construction period
   applicable to specific new or modified cellular facilities for which a
   separate authorization is granted is one year, beginning on the date the
   authorization is granted.

   [ 67 FR 9609 , Mar. 4, 2002, as amended at  67 FR 77192 , Dec. 17, 2002]