WASHINGTON-The voluntary negotiation period for fixed-microwave licensees to leave the PCS band ended April 4-10 years after it began.
When the Federal Communications Commission allowed PCS service as a competitor to cellular, some of the spectrum that it wanted to use was already being used by fixed-microwave licensees. The FCC determined that fixed-microwave licensees could be relocated, so it set up a voluntary negotiation process where the new PCS licensees would negotiate with and pay to move the fixed-microwave licensees. That voluntary negotiation period was scheduled to sunset after 10 years.
As a result of the end of the voluntary-negotiation period, the FCC will no longer require unlicensed PCS devices operating in the 1920-1930 MHz band to be coordinated.
UTAM Inc., which is designated to coordinate and manage the transition from fixed-microwave to PCS, asked the FCC in February to announce “that the need for coordination of unlicensed PCS devices will no longer be required for those devices marketed after April 5,” said the commission April 4.
The FCC is now accepting equipment authorizations for unlicensed PCS devices.
“Due to the need to protect incumbent fixed-microwave operations in the band,” said the FCC, “applicants for equipment authorizations will continue to be required to show that they are participating members of UTAM.”
It will no longer be necessary for devices that relocate to cease operations and verify the new location with UTAM.
