Posted: April 19, 2018
TEMPORARY FREEZE ON APPLICATIONS FOR NEW OR MODIFIED FIXED
SATELLITE SERVICE EARTH STATIONS AND FIXED MICROWAVE STATIONS
IN THE 3.7-4.2 GHz BAND.
90-DAY WINDOW TO FILE APPLICATIONS FOR EARTH STATIONS CURRENTLY OPERATING IN 3.7-4.2 GHz BAND
The FCC announced a temporary freeze effective on April 19, 2018, on the filing of new or modification applications for fixed-satellite service (FSS) earth station licenses, receive-only earth station registrations, and fixed microwave licenses in the 3.7-4.2 GHz frequency band. The purpose of this freeze is to preserve the current landscape of authorized operations in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band pending Commission action as part of its ongoing inquiry into the possibility of permitting mobile broadband use and more intensive fixed use of the band.
As a limited exception to the freeze, the International Bureau concurrently opens a 90-day window during which entities that own or operate existing FSS earth stations in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band may file an application to register or license the earth station if it is currently not registered or licensed, or may file an application to modify a current registration or license, in the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS). This 90-day window will also provide the Commission and commenters with more accurate information about existing earth stations, which will inform the Commission’s pending inquiry addressing new opportunities for use of this band.