[Federal Register: February 27, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 39)]
[Notices]
[Page 8982-8983]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27fe02-93]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[DA 02-361]
Current and Future Spectrum Use by the Energy, Water, and
Railroad Industries
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In this document the FCC seeks comment on the findings of the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration Report,
released January 30, 2002, titled ``Current and Future Spectrum Use by
the Energy, Water, and Railroad Industries''. Congress requires the FCC
to submit a report to Congress addressing any needs identified from
NTIA's Report. Comments received on NTIA's report will aid the
Commission in preparing its report to Congress.
DATES: Written comments are due on or before March 6, 2002 and reply
comments are due on or before March 18, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission,
445 Twelfth Street, SW., TW-325, Washington, DC 20054.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: . John J. Schauble, Esq., Chief,
Policy and Rules Branch, Public Safety and private Wireless Division,
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-0680, or via e-mail to
jschaubl@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The full text of the NTIA Report, comments
and reply comments will be available for public inspection and
duplication during regular business hours at the FCC Reference
Information Center (RIC) of the Consumer Information Bureau (CIB),
Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Room CY-
A257, Washington, DC, 20554. The full text of the NTIA Report is also
available at NTIA's Web site at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/
reports.html. This document may also be purchased from the Commission's
duplicating contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th
Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, DC 20036, telephone
(202) 863-2393; facsimile (202) 863-2898, or via e-mail
qualexint@aol.com. For further information regarding the public
reference file for the Report contact Maria Ringold, Chief, Wireless
Branch, RIC, (202) 418-1355.
1. On January 30, 2002, the U.S. Department of Commerce, National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a
Report entitled ``Current and Future Spectrum Use by the Energy, Water,
and Railroad Industries'' (NTIA Report). This report was mandated by
Public Law Number (PL No.) 106-533. Under this legislation, NTIA was
directed to submit to the U.S. Congress a study of current and future
spectrum use by providers of energy, water, and railroad services to
protect and maintain the nation's critical infrastructure. The statute
also requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit a
subsequent report to Congress addressing any needs identified in NTIA's
study.
2. The NTIA Report contains a compilation of the responses received
to its ``Request for Comments'' from members of the utilities industry
and various trade organizations. In its ``Request for Comments,'' NTIA
sought information on any issue of fact, law or policy that might
inform the agency about spectrum requirements of the industry taking
into account growth, new technology, and future applications. NTIA also
received information from federal governmental departments and agencies
that exercise oversight of energy, water and railroad industries, as
well as from industry certified frequency coordinators. The Report also
reflects the information received from members of the Interdepartment
Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC). Information also was
[[Page 8983]]
obtained from the Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN).
3. In the NTIA Report, NTIA found that energy, water and railroad
services are primary components of the nation's critical infrastructure
and that the continued use of spectrum is essential to the current and
future operations of these industries. The NTIA Report submits that
without adequate radio spectrum, providers of energy, water and
railroad services would be unable to address major service
interruptions due to natural disaster, equipment malfunctions or in
some cases, terrorist activities. According to NTIA, these industries
believe that additional spectrum is needed--specifically for exclusive
use--because of existing congestion problems. Commenters stated that
commercial wireless services do not adequately service these
industries' needs due to issues of compatibility, reliability, and
cost-effectiveness. The NTIA Report also finds a lack of consensus
among the commenters as to where new spectrum can be reallocated or
obtained. NTIA received limited response on the issue of whether these
industries use spectrum-efficient technology. NTIA concludes that it is
unable to validate the specific spectrum requirements of the energy,
water and railroad industries. It suggests, however, that the
industries' needs may be addressed by use of advanced communications
technology or newly allocated frequency bands.
4. All Parties should reference the NTIA report including the DA
number of this Public Notice, a copy of each filing should be sent to
(1) Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-
B402, Washington, DC 20554, DC 20036, telephone (202) 863-2393; (2)
John J. Schauble, Esq., Federal Communications Commission, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division,
Policy and Rules Branch, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Room 4-C336,
Washington, DC 20554; and (3) Maria Ringold, Federal Communications
Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, Reference Information Center,
445 Twelfth Street, SW., Room CY-B529, Washington, DC 20554.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-4798 Filed 2-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P