FCC Requests 6 GHz Automated Frequency Coordination Proposals, 58267-58269 [2021-22765]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 201 / Thursday, October 21, 2021 / Notices
and submit further information in
written comments. Persons interested in
providing oral statements should
register as attendees at the link provided
above, and also contact the DFO directly
at FRRCC@epa.gov by 12:00 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time on November 8,
2021 to be placed on the list of
registered speakers and receive special
instructions for participation. Oral
commenters will be provided an
opportunity to speak in the order in
which their request was received by the
DFO.
Written Statements: Persons
interested in providing written
statements pertaining to this committee
meeting may email them to the DFO at
FRRCC@epa.gov prior to 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time on November 30,
2021.
D. Availability of Meeting Materials
The Meeting Agenda and other
materials for the virtual conference will
be posted on the FRRCC website at
www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc.
E. Accessibility
Persons with disabilities who wish to
request reasonable accommodations to
participate in this event may contact the
DFO at FRRCC@epa.gov or 202–564–
7719 by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight
Time on November 10, 2021. All final
meeting materials will be posted to the
FRRCC website in an accessible format
following the meeting, as well as a
written summary of this meeting.
Rosemary Enobakhare,
Associate Administrator for Public
Engagement and Environmental Education.
[FR Doc. 2021–23002 Filed 10–20–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[ET Docket No. 21–352; FCC 21–100; FR
ID 53409]
FCC Requests 6 GHz Automated
Frequency Coordination Proposals
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In this document, the
Commission begins the process of
authorizing standard power unlicensed
operations in the 6 GHz band by
inviting proposals from parties
interested in operating an automated
frequency coordination (AFC) system in
accordance with the 6 GHz Report and
Order. This Public Notice summarizes
the requirements for AFC systems as set
forth in that order, describes the
information that must be provided with
proposals to operate an AFC system,
and describes the procedures for
designating AFC system operators.
DATES: Initial AFC system proposals are
due on November 30, 2021, and
comments regarding the proposals are
due on December 21, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications
Commission, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nicholas Oros, Office of Engineering
and Technology, 202–418–0636,
Nicholas.Oros@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
summary of the Commission’s
document, Public Notice, FCC 21–100,
ET Docket No. 21–352, released
September 28, 2021. The full text of this
document is available for public
inspection and can be downloaded at:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fccSUMMARY:
58267
requests-6-ghz-automated-frequencycoordination-proposals or by using the
search function for ET Docket No. 21–
352 on the Commission’s ECFS web
page at www.fcc.gov/ecfs. People with
Disabilities. To request materials in
accessible formats for people with
disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), send an
email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the
Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), (202)
418–0432 (TTY).
Synopsis
1. The 6 GHz Report and Order (FCC
20–51; 35 FCC Rcd 3852 (2020); 85 FR
31390 (May, 26 2020)) authorized two
different types of unlicensed
operations—standard-power and indoor
low-power operations. Standard-power
operations, which encompass standardpower access points and fixed client
devices (collectively referred to as
standard-power devices in this Public
Notice), are permitted in the 5.925–
6.425 GHz and 6.525–6.875 GHz
portions of the 6 GHz band and must
operate under the control of an
automated frequency coordination
(AFC) system to prevent harmful
interference to fixed microwave links
that operate in the band. The standardpower devices are required to have a
geo-location capability and, at least once
per day, must communicate their
location to an AFC system, which will
provide them with the frequencies and
maximum power levels at which they
may operate without causing harmful
interference to any microwave links.
The AFC system will also prevent
operation of standard-power devices in
the 6.6500–6.6752 GHz band near a
limited number of radio astronomy
observatories.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
EXPANDED UNLICENSED USE OF THE 6 GIGAHERTZ BAND
Device class
Operating bands
Standard-Power Access Point (AFC Controlled) ........
Fixed Client (AFC Controlled) .....................................
Client Connected to Standard-Power Access Point ...
Low-Power Access Point (indoor only) .......................
Client Connected to Low-Power Access Point ...........
U–NII–5 (5.925–6.425 GHz) ......................
U–NII–7 (6.525–6.875 GHz) ......................
2. The 6 GHz Report and Order
specifies how the AFC systems will
determine which frequencies are
available for use by standard-power
devices. Once per day each AFC system
is required to access the Commission’s
Universal Licensing System (ULS) to
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:35 Oct 20, 2021
Jkt 256001
U–NII–5
U–NII–6
U–NII–7
U–NII–8
(5.925–6.425
(6.425–6.525
(6.525–6.875
(6.875–7.125
GHz) ......................
GHz) ......................
GHz)
GHz)
obtain the most up-to-date information
on licensed microwave links including
their transmitter and receiver locations,
frequencies, bandwidths, polarizations,
transmitter EIRP, antenna height, and
the make and model of the antenna and
equipment used. The AFC systems will
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Maximum EIRP
36
36
30
30
24
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
Maximum EIRP power
spectral density
23 dBm/MHz.
23 dBm/MHz.
17 dBm/MHz.
5 dBm/MHz.
¥1 dBm/MHz.
use this information, along with the
propagation models specified in the 6
GHz Report and Order, to determine on
which frequencies and at what power
levels standard-power devices may
operate. In making this determination,
the AFC systems will ensure that the
E:\FR\FM\21OCN1.SGM
21OCN1
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
58268
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 201 / Thursday, October 21, 2021 / Notices
predicted interference-to-noise (I/N)
ratio at any microwave receiver does not
exceed ¥6 dB. The AFC systems must
be capable of determining frequency
availability for the standard-power
device at the maximum permitted EIRP
of 36 dBm and also at power levels as
low as 21 dBm.
3. Section 15.407(l)(1) of the
Commission’s rules specifies the
propagation model the AFC system
must use for determining frequency
availability and power levels, which
depends on the distance between the
standard-power device and the licensed
microwave station. For separation
distances of 30 meters or less, the AFC
system will use a free space pathloss
model. When the separation distance is
greater than 30 meters, but less than 1
kilometer, the AFC system will use the
WINNER II model. The WINNER II
model is one of the most widely used
and well-known channel models in the
world and was developed from
measurements conducted by the
WINNER organization, as well as results
from academic literature. When using
the WINNER II model, the AFC system
should use site-specific information,
including building and terrain data, for
determining the line-of-sight/non-lineof-sight path component where this
information is available. For evaluating
paths where this data is not available,
the rules specify probabilistic
combining of the line-of-sight and nonline-of-sight path into a single path-loss.
For distances greater than 1 kilometer,
the AFC system will use the Irregular
Terrain Model (ITM) combined with a
clutter model for the local environment.
The ITM has been widely available and
accepted since the early 1980s, has been
used by the Commission for interference
prediction in other proceedings, and is
the propagation model currently used to
determine spectrum availability by the
spectrum access systems (SAS) that are
managing spectrum access for the 3550–
3700 MHz band in the Citizens
Broadband Radio Service. When using
the ITM, the rules specify that AFC
systems are to use 1 arc-second digital
elevation terrain data and, for locations
where such data is not available, use the
most granular digital elevation terrain
data available. To account for the effects
of clutter, such as from buildings and
foliage, the AFC system should combine
use of the ITM with statistical clutter
model ITU–R P.2108 for urban and
suburban environments and the ITU–R
P.452–16 clutter model for rural
environments.
4. In accordance with the 6 GHz
Report and Order, the Office of
Engineering and Technology (OET) can
designate one or more AFC system
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:35 Oct 20, 2021
Jkt 256001
operators. AFC system operators will be
required to serve for a five-year term
which can be renewed by the
Commission based on the operator’s
performance during the term. If an AFC
system operator discontinues service or
its term is not renewed, it must transfer
its database along with the information
necessary to access the database to
another designated AFC system
operator. AFC system operators are
permitted to charge a fee for providing
service to standard-power access
devices.
I. AFC Proposals and Approval Process
5. As specified in the 6 GHz Report
and Order, OET will follow a multistep
process to approve AFC systems in
which each prospective AFC system
operator must demonstrate its ability to
perform the required functions pursuant
to the Commission’s 6 GHz unlicensed
rules. The Commission requests that
parties interested in becoming an AFC
system operator as part of the initial
evaluation process submit their
proposals no later than November 30,
2021. The public will then have an
opportunity to review and comment on
these proposals, including on each
prospective operator’s fitness to operate
an AFC system as well as the technical
and operational description of each
proposed AFC system. Comments on
these proposals must be submitted by
December 21, 2021. OET will review all
proposals submitted by November 30,
2021 concurrently and with equal
priority. Proposals submitted after this
date will be considered by OET, but
they may not be considered
concurrently with proposals submitted
by November 30, 2021. For any proposal
received after November 30, 2021, OET
will issue a public notice announcing
receipt of the proposal and establishing
a period for the public to review and
comment on the proposal. Proposals
will not be considered mutually
exclusive and OET will conditionally
approve as many proposals as are found
to satisfy all AFC system requirements.
6. Applicants who receive a
conditional approval will then be
required to allow access to their AFC
system for a public trial period to
provide interested parties an
opportunity to check that it provides
accurate results. This trial period will
include thorough testing, both in a
controlled environment (e.g., lab testing)
and through demonstration projects
(e.g., field testing). OET may also
require prospective AFC system
operators to attend workshops and
meetings as part of the assessment
process. Prospective AFC system
operators must comply with all
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
instructions from OET and must provide
any requested information in a timely
manner.
7. The AFC system proposals must
describe how the prospective AFC
system operator will comply with the
requirements and core functions
described in § 15.407(k) of the
Commission’s rules and the 6 GHz
Report and Order. To demonstrate
compliance, the Commission expects
the proposal to include, for example:
1. AFC system operator contact
information, including name, phone
number and email address that
Commission staff may use for all AFC
system related inquiries, such as
information and data requests or to
provide enforcement instructions.
2. A technical diagram showing the
architecture of the AFC system with a
brief description of its operation.
3. A description of whether the AFC
system software is based on a propriety
implementation or open source.
4. A demonstration that the
prospective AFC system operator
possesses sufficient technical expertise
to operate an AFC system.
5. A description of the prospective
AFC system operator’s recordkeeping
policies, including registration record
retention as well as retention of
historical frequency availability data.
6. A description of how the
prospective AFC system operator will
handle unanticipated situations that
may disrupt performance of the system’s
required functions—ranging from
exceptional cases that affect the
system’s ability to perform its required
functions in isolated instances to cases
involving the type of widespread
disruption that an event like a system
failure might cause.
7. A description of the methods (e.g.,
interfaces, protocols) that will be used
for secure communication between the
AFC system and its associated standardpower devices and to ensure that
unauthorized parties cannot access or
alter the database or the list of available
frequencies and power levels sent to the
standard-power devices.
8. If the prospective AFC system
operator will not be performing all AFC
functions, information on (1) the entities
that will be responsible for operating
other functions of the AFC system; and
(2) how the Commission can ensure that
all of the requirements for AFC systems
in the rules are satisfied when AFC
functions are divided among multiple
entities.
9. A description of how the
prospective AFC system operator will
provide access to their AFC system for
a public trial period which will include
thorough testing.
E:\FR\FM\21OCN1.SGM
21OCN1
58269
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 201 / Thursday, October 21, 2021 / Notices
10. An affirmation that the
prospective AFC system operator, and
any entities responsible for operating
other functions of the AFC system under
the control of the AFC system operator,
will comply with all of the applicable
rules as well as applicable enforcement
mechanisms and procedures.
8. Prospective AFC system operators
must file proposals, and any
supplements thereto, with the
Commission using the Commission’s
Electronic Comment Filing System
(ECFS). See Electronic Filing of
Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings,
63 FR 24121 (1998). To be considered
concurrently with the other initial
proposals, proposals must be filed on or
before the date indicated on the first
page of this Public Notice. Prospective
AFC system operators may request
confidential treatment of information
contained in their proposals consistent
with § 0.459 of the Commission’s rules.
Comments regarding the AFC system
proposals should also be filed using
ECFS by the dates indicated on the first
page of this Public Notice. All such
filings should refer to ET Docket 21–
352.
9. Congressional Review Act. The
Commission has determined and
Administrator of the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget,
concurs, that this rule is ‘‘non-major’’
under the Congressional Review Act, 5.
U.S.C. 804(2). The Commission will
send a copy of this Public Notice to
Congress and the Government
Accountability Office pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–22765 Filed 10–20–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION
[OMB No. 3064–0018;–0165;–0183;–0195]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection
Renewal; Comment Request
Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC).
ACTION: Agency Information Collection
Activities: Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request.
AGENCY:
The FDIC, as part of its
obligations under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, invites the
general public and other Federal
agencies to take this opportunity to
comment on the request to renew the
existing information collections
described below (OMB Control No.
3064–0018;–0165;–0183; and–0195).
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before November 22, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties are
invited to submit written comments to
the FDIC by any of the following
methods:
• Agency website: https://
www.fdic.gov/resources/regulations/
federal-register-publications/.
SUMMARY:
• Email: comments@fdic.gov. Include
the name and number of the collection
in the subject line of the message.
• Mail: Manny Cabeza (202–898–
3767), Regulatory Counsel, MB–3128,
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
550 17th Street NW, Washington, DC
20429.
• Hand Delivery: Comments may be
hand-delivered to the guard station at
the rear of the 17th Street NW building
(located on F Street), on business days
between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting
‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Manny Cabeza, Regulatory Counsel,
202–898–3767, mcabeza@fdic.gov, MB–
3128, Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, 550 17th Street NW,
Washington, DC 20429.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposal to renew the following
currently approved collections of
information:
1. Title: Application Pursuant to
Section 19 of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act.
OMB Number: 3064–0018.
Form Number: 6710–07.
Affected Public: Individuals and
FDIC-insured depository institutions.
Burden Estimate:
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY OF ANNUAL BURDEN
Information collection description
Type of burden
Obligation to respond
Application Pursuant to Section 19
of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act.
Reporting ...........
Mandatory ..........
Total Estimated Annual Burden:
1,168 hours.
General Description of Collection:
Section 19 of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act (FDI), 12 U.S.C. Section
1829, requires the FDIC’s consent prior
to any participation in the affairs of an
insured depository institution by an
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:35 Oct 20, 2021
Jkt 256001
Estimated
number of
respondents
73
individual who has been convicted of
crimes involving dishonesty or breach
of trust, and included drug-related
convictions. To obtain that consent,
certain individuals and insured
depository institutions must submit an
application to the FDIC for approval on
Form FDIC 6710/07.
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Estimated
average
frequency of
response
Estimated
time per
response
(hours)
1
Estimated
annual burden
(hours)
16
1,168
2. Title: Pillar 2 Guidance—Advanced
Capital Framework.
OMB Number: 3064–0165.
Form Number: None.
Affected Public: Insured state
nonmember banks and certain
subsidiaries of these entities.
Burden Estimate:
E:\FR\FM\21OCN1.SGM
21OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 201 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58267-58269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22765]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[ET Docket No. 21-352; FCC 21-100; FR ID 53409]
FCC Requests 6 GHz Automated Frequency Coordination Proposals
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission begins the process of
authorizing standard power unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band by
inviting proposals from parties interested in operating an automated
frequency coordination (AFC) system in accordance with the 6 GHz Report
and Order. This Public Notice summarizes the requirements for AFC
systems as set forth in that order, describes the information that must
be provided with proposals to operate an AFC system, and describes the
procedures for designating AFC system operators.
DATES: Initial AFC system proposals are due on November 30, 2021, and
comments regarding the proposals are due on December 21, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Oros, Office of Engineering
and Technology, 202-418-0636, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's
document, Public Notice, FCC 21-100, ET Docket No. 21-352, released
September 28, 2021. The full text of this document is available for
public inspection and can be downloaded at: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-requests-6-ghz-automated-frequency-coordination-proposals
or by using the search function for ET Docket No. 21-352 on the
Commission's ECFS web page at www.fcc.gov/ecfs. People with
Disabilities. To request materials in accessible formats for people
with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio
format), send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432
(TTY).
Synopsis
1. The 6 GHz Report and Order (FCC 20-51; 35 FCC Rcd 3852 (2020);
85 FR 31390 (May, 26 2020)) authorized two different types of
unlicensed operations--standard-power and indoor low-power operations.
Standard-power operations, which encompass standard-power access points
and fixed client devices (collectively referred to as standard-power
devices in this Public Notice), are permitted in the 5.925-6.425 GHz
and 6.525-6.875 GHz portions of the 6 GHz band and must operate under
the control of an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system to
prevent harmful interference to fixed microwave links that operate in
the band. The standard-power devices are required to have a geo-
location capability and, at least once per day, must communicate their
location to an AFC system, which will provide them with the frequencies
and maximum power levels at which they may operate without causing
harmful interference to any microwave links. The AFC system will also
prevent operation of standard-power devices in the 6.6500-6.6752 GHz
band near a limited number of radio astronomy observatories.
Expanded Unlicensed Use of the 6 Gigahertz Band
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum EIRP power spectral
Device class Operating bands Maximum EIRP density
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard-Power Access Point (AFC U-NII-5 (5.925- 36 dBm..................... 23 dBm/MHz.
Controlled). 6.425 GHz). 36 dBm..................... 23 dBm/MHz.
Fixed Client (AFC Controlled)... U-NII-7 (6.525-
6.875 GHz).
Client Connected to Standard- 30 dBm..................... 17 dBm/MHz.
Power Access Point.
Low-Power Access Point (indoor U-NII-5 (5.925- 30 dBm..................... 5 dBm/MHz.
only). 6.425 GHz). 24 dBm..................... -1 dBm/MHz.
Client Connected to Low-Power U-NII-6 (6.425-
Access Point. 6.525 GHz).
U-NII-7 (6.525-
6.875 GHz).
U-NII-8 (6.875-
7.125 GHz).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The 6 GHz Report and Order specifies how the AFC systems will
determine which frequencies are available for use by standard-power
devices. Once per day each AFC system is required to access the
Commission's Universal Licensing System (ULS) to obtain the most up-to-
date information on licensed microwave links including their
transmitter and receiver locations, frequencies, bandwidths,
polarizations, transmitter EIRP, antenna height, and the make and model
of the antenna and equipment used. The AFC systems will use this
information, along with the propagation models specified in the 6 GHz
Report and Order, to determine on which frequencies and at what power
levels standard-power devices may operate. In making this
determination, the AFC systems will ensure that the
[[Page 58268]]
predicted interference-to-noise (I/N) ratio at any microwave receiver
does not exceed -6 dB. The AFC systems must be capable of determining
frequency availability for the standard-power device at the maximum
permitted EIRP of 36 dBm and also at power levels as low as 21 dBm.
3. Section 15.407(l)(1) of the Commission's rules specifies the
propagation model the AFC system must use for determining frequency
availability and power levels, which depends on the distance between
the standard-power device and the licensed microwave station. For
separation distances of 30 meters or less, the AFC system will use a
free space pathloss model. When the separation distance is greater than
30 meters, but less than 1 kilometer, the AFC system will use the
WINNER II model. The WINNER II model is one of the most widely used and
well[hyphen]known channel models in the world and was developed from
measurements conducted by the WINNER organization, as well as results
from academic literature. When using the WINNER II model, the AFC
system should use site-specific information, including building and
terrain data, for determining the line-of-sight/non-line-of-sight path
component where this information is available. For evaluating paths
where this data is not available, the rules specify probabilistic
combining of the line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight path into a single
path-loss. For distances greater than 1 kilometer, the AFC system will
use the Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) combined with a clutter model for
the local environment. The ITM has been widely available and accepted
since the early 1980s, has been used by the Commission for interference
prediction in other proceedings, and is the propagation model currently
used to determine spectrum availability by the spectrum access systems
(SAS) that are managing spectrum access for the 3550-3700 MHz band in
the Citizens Broadband Radio Service. When using the ITM, the rules
specify that AFC systems are to use 1 arc-second digital elevation
terrain data and, for locations where such data is not available, use
the most granular digital elevation terrain data available. To account
for the effects of clutter, such as from buildings and foliage, the AFC
system should combine use of the ITM with statistical clutter model
ITU-R P.2108 for urban and suburban environments and the ITU-R P.452-16
clutter model for rural environments.
4. In accordance with the 6 GHz Report and Order, the Office of
Engineering and Technology (OET) can designate one or more AFC system
operators. AFC system operators will be required to serve for a five-
year term which can be renewed by the Commission based on the
operator's performance during the term. If an AFC system operator
discontinues service or its term is not renewed, it must transfer its
database along with the information necessary to access the database to
another designated AFC system operator. AFC system operators are
permitted to charge a fee for providing service to standard-power
access devices.
I. AFC Proposals and Approval Process
5. As specified in the 6 GHz Report and Order, OET will follow a
multistep process to approve AFC systems in which each prospective AFC
system operator must demonstrate its ability to perform the required
functions pursuant to the Commission's 6 GHz unlicensed rules. The
Commission requests that parties interested in becoming an AFC system
operator as part of the initial evaluation process submit their
proposals no later than November 30, 2021. The public will then have an
opportunity to review and comment on these proposals, including on each
prospective operator's fitness to operate an AFC system as well as the
technical and operational description of each proposed AFC system.
Comments on these proposals must be submitted by December 21, 2021. OET
will review all proposals submitted by November 30, 2021 concurrently
and with equal priority. Proposals submitted after this date will be
considered by OET, but they may not be considered concurrently with
proposals submitted by November 30, 2021. For any proposal received
after November 30, 2021, OET will issue a public notice announcing
receipt of the proposal and establishing a period for the public to
review and comment on the proposal. Proposals will not be considered
mutually exclusive and OET will conditionally approve as many proposals
as are found to satisfy all AFC system requirements.
6. Applicants who receive a conditional approval will then be
required to allow access to their AFC system for a public trial period
to provide interested parties an opportunity to check that it provides
accurate results. This trial period will include thorough testing, both
in a controlled environment (e.g., lab testing) and through
demonstration projects (e.g., field testing). OET may also require
prospective AFC system operators to attend workshops and meetings as
part of the assessment process. Prospective AFC system operators must
comply with all instructions from OET and must provide any requested
information in a timely manner.
7. The AFC system proposals must describe how the prospective AFC
system operator will comply with the requirements and core functions
described in Sec. 15.407(k) of the Commission's rules and the 6 GHz
Report and Order. To demonstrate compliance, the Commission expects the
proposal to include, for example:
1. AFC system operator contact information, including name, phone
number and email address that Commission staff may use for all AFC
system related inquiries, such as information and data requests or to
provide enforcement instructions.
2. A technical diagram showing the architecture of the AFC system
with a brief description of its operation.
3. A description of whether the AFC system software is based on a
propriety implementation or open source.
4. A demonstration that the prospective AFC system operator
possesses sufficient technical expertise to operate an AFC system.
5. A description of the prospective AFC system operator's
recordkeeping policies, including registration record retention as well
as retention of historical frequency availability data.
6. A description of how the prospective AFC system operator will
handle unanticipated situations that may disrupt performance of the
system's required functions--ranging from exceptional cases that affect
the system's ability to perform its required functions in isolated
instances to cases involving the type of widespread disruption that an
event like a system failure might cause.
7. A description of the methods (e.g., interfaces, protocols) that
will be used for secure communication between the AFC system and its
associated standard-power devices and to ensure that unauthorized
parties cannot access or alter the database or the list of available
frequencies and power levels sent to the standard-power devices.
8. If the prospective AFC system operator will not be performing
all AFC functions, information on (1) the entities that will be
responsible for operating other functions of the AFC system; and (2)
how the Commission can ensure that all of the requirements for AFC
systems in the rules are satisfied when AFC functions are divided among
multiple entities.
9. A description of how the prospective AFC system operator will
provide access to their AFC system for a public trial period which will
include thorough testing.
[[Page 58269]]
10. An affirmation that the prospective AFC system operator, and
any entities responsible for operating other functions of the AFC
system under the control of the AFC system operator, will comply with
all of the applicable rules as well as applicable enforcement
mechanisms and procedures.
8. Prospective AFC system operators must file proposals, and any
supplements thereto, with the Commission using the Commission's
Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of
Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). To be
considered concurrently with the other initial proposals, proposals
must be filed on or before the date indicated on the first page of this
Public Notice. Prospective AFC system operators may request
confidential treatment of information contained in their proposals
consistent with Sec. 0.459 of the Commission's rules. Comments
regarding the AFC system proposals should also be filed using ECFS by
the dates indicated on the first page of this Public Notice. All such
filings should refer to ET Docket 21-352.
9. Congressional Review Act. The Commission has determined and
Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget, concurs, that this rule is ``non-
major'' under the Congressional Review Act, 5. U.S.C. 804(2). The
Commission will send a copy of this Public Notice to Congress and the
Government Accountability Office pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-22765 Filed 10-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
