§  0.131   Functions of the Bureau.

   The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau develops, recommends and
   administers the programs and policies for the regulation of the terms
   and conditions under which communications entities offer domestic
   wireless telecommunications services and of ancillary operations
   related to the provision of such services (satellite communications
   excluded). These functions include all wireless telecommunications
   service providers' and licensees' activities. The Bureau also performs
   the following specific functions:

   (a) Advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for
   the Commission under delegated authority, in all matters pertaining to
   the licensing and regulation of wireless telecommunications, including
   ancillary operations related to the provision or use of such services;
   any matters concerning wireless carriers that also affect wireline
   carriers in cooperation with the Wireline Competition Bureau; and, in
   cooperation with the Office of Economics and Analytics, all policies,
   programs, and rules regarding spectrum auctions, and, in cooperation
   with the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Office of Economics and
   Analytics, USF mechanisms affecting wireless carriers. These activities
   include: Policy development and coordination; conducting rulemaking and
   adjudicatory proceedings, including licensing and complaint proceedings
   for matters not within the responsibility of the Enforcement Bureau;
   acting on waivers of rules; acting on applications for service and
   facility authorizations; compliance and enforcement activities for
   matters not within the responsibility of the Enforcement Bureau;
   determining resource impacts of existing, planned or recommended
   Commission activities concerning wireless telecommunications, and
   developing and recommending resource deployment priorities.

   (b) Develops and recommends policy goals, objectives, programs and
   plans for the Commission on matters concerning wireless
   telecommunications, drawing upon relevant economic, technological,
   legislative, regulatory and judicial information and developments. Such
   matters include meeting the present and future wireless
   telecommunications needs of the Nation; fostering economic growth by
   promoting efficiency and innovation in the allocation, licensing and
   use of the electromagnetic spectrum; ensuring choice, opportunity and
   fairness in the development of wireless telecommunications services and
   markets; promoting economically efficient investment in wireless
   telecommunications infrastructure and the integration of wireless
   communications networks into the public telecommunications network;
   enabling access to national communications services; promoting the
   development and widespread availability of wireless telecommunications
   services. Reviews and coordinates orders, programs and actions
   initiated by other Bureaus and Offices in matters affecting wireless
   telecommunications to ensure consistency of overall Commission policy.

   (c) Serves as a staff resource, in coordination with the Office of
   Economics and Analytics with regard to the development and
   implementation of spectrum policy through spectrum auctions. Jointly
   with the Office of Economics and Analytics, develops, recommends and
   administers policies, programs and rules concerning licensing of
   spectrum for wireless telecommunications through auctions and advises
   the Commission on policy, engineering, and technical matters relating
   to auctions of spectrum used for other purposes.

   (d) Regulates the charges, practices, classifications, terms and
   conditions for, and facilities used to provide, wireless
   telecommunications services. Develops and recommends consistent,
   integrated policies, programs and rules for the regulation of
   commercial mobile radio services and private mobile radio services.

   (e) Develops and recommends policy, rules, standards, procedures and
   forms for the authorization and regulation of wireless
   telecommunications facilities and services, including all facility
   authorization applications involving domestic terrestrial transmission
   facilities. Coordinates with and assists the International Bureau
   regarding frequency assignment, coordination and interference matters.

   (f) Develops and recommends responses to legislative, regulatory or
   judicial inquiries and proposals concerning or affecting wireless
   telecommunications.

   (g) Develops and recommends policies regarding matters affecting the
   collaboration and coordination of relations among Federal agencies, and
   between the Federal government and the states, concerning wireless
   telecommunications issues. Maintains liaison with Federal and state
   government bodies concerning such issues.

   (h) Develops and recommends policies, programs and rules to ensure
   interference-free operation of wireless telecommunications equipment
   and networks. Coordinates with and assists other Bureaus and Offices,
   as appropriate, concerning spectrum management, planning, and
   interference matters and issues, and in compliance and enforcement
   activities. Studies technical requirements for equipment for wireless
   telecommunications services in accordance with standards established by
   the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology.

   (i) Advises and assists consumers, businesses and other government
   agencies on wireless telecommunications issues and matters related
   thereto. Also assists the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau with
   informal consumer complaints and other general inquiries by consumers.

   (j) Administers the Commission's commercial radio operator program
   (part 13 of this chapter); the Commission's program for registration,
   construction, marking and lighting of antenna structures (part 17 of
   this chapter), and the Commission's privatized ship radio inspection
   program (part 80 of this chapter).

   (k) Coordinates with and assists the International Bureau with respect
   to treaty activities and international conferences concerning wireless
   telecommunications.

   (l) Exercises such authority as may be assigned, delegated or referred
   to it by the Commission.

   (m) Certifies frequency coordinators; considers petitions seeking
   review of coordinator actions; and engages in oversight of coordinator
   actions and practices.

   (n) Administers the Commission's amateur radio programs (part 97 of
   this chapter) and the issuing of maritime mobile service identities
   (MMSIs).

   (o) Exercises authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the
   attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books,
   papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts,
   agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation
   of wireless telecommunications operators for any alleged violation or
   violations of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, or the
   Commission's rules and orders. Before issuing a subpoena, the Wireless
   Telecommunications Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of
   General Counsel.

   (p) Certifies, in the name of the Commission, volunteer entities to
   coordinate maintain and disseminate a common data base of amateur
   station special event call signs, and issues Public Notices detailing
   the procedures of amateur service call sign systems.

   (q) Coordinates with the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau on
   all matters affecting public safety, homeland security, national
   security, emergency management, disaster management, and related
   issues.

   (r) In coordination with the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Office
   of Economics and Analytics, develops and recommends policies, programs,
   rules and procedures concerning the use of market-based mechanisms,
   including competitive bidding, to distribute universal service support.

   (s)(1) Extends the Communications Act Safety Radiotelephony Certificate
   for a period of up to 90 days beyond the specified expiration date.

   (2) Grants emergency exemption requests, extensions or waivers of
   inspection to ships in accordance with applicable provisions of the
   Communications Act, the Safety Convention, the Great Lakes Agreement or
   the Commission's rules.

   [ 60 FR 35505 , July 10, 1995, as amended at  61 FR 4361 , Feb. 6, 1996;  62 FR 17567 , Apr. 10, 1997;  64 FR 60718 , Nov. 8, 1999;  65 FR 375 , Jan. 5,
   2000;  67 FR 13219 , Mar. 21, 2002;  69 FR 24997 , May 5, 2004;  71 FR 69035 , Nov. 29, 2006;  76 FR 73851 , Nov. 29, 2011;  78 FR 23151 , Apr. 18,
   2013;  78 FR 32165 , May 29, 2013;  83 FR 63076 , Dec. 7, 2018;  85 FR 34526 , June 5, 2020]

   

Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau