47 C.F.R. Subpart D—Developmental Authorizations
Title 47 - Telecommunication
Eligible entities (see §22.7) may apply for, and the FCC may grant, authority to construct and operate one or more transmitters subject to the rules in this subpart and other limitations, waivers and/or conditions that may be prescribed. Authorizations granted on this basis are developmental authorizations. In general, the FCC grants developmental authorizations in situations and circumstances where it cannot reasonably be determined in advance whether a particular transmitter can be operated or a particular service can be provided without causing interference to the service of existing stations. For example, the FCC may grant developmental authorizations for: (a) Field strength surveys to evaluate the technical suitability of antenna locations for stations in the Public Mobile Services; (b) Experimentation leading to the potential development of a new Public Mobile Service or technology; or, (c) Stations transmitting on channels in certain frequency ranges, to provide a trial period during which it can be individually determined whether such stations can operate without causing excessive interference to existing services. [59 FR 59507, Nov. 17, 1994, as amended at 70 FR 19309, Apr. 13, 2005] The provisions and requirements of this section are applicable to all developmental authorizations. (a) Developmental authorizations are granted subject to the condition that they may be cancelled by the FCC at any time, upon notice to the licensee, and without the opportunity for a hearing. (b) Except as otherwise indicated in this subpart, developmental authorizations normally terminate one year from the date of grant. The FCC may, however, specify a different term. (c) Stations operating under developmental authorizations must not interfere with the services of regularly authorized stations. (d) A grant of a developmental authorization does not provide any assurance that the FCC will grant an application for regular authorization to operate the same transmitter(s), even if operation during the developmental period has not caused interference and/or the developmental program is successful. The FCC may grant applications for developmental authority to construct and operate transmitters for the purpose of developing a new Public Mobile Service or a new technology not regularly authorized under this part, subject to the requirements of this section. Such applications may request the use of any portion of the spectrum allocated for Public Mobile Services in the Table of Frequency Allocations contained in part 2 of this chapter, regardless of whether that spectrum is regularly available under this part. Requests to use any portion of the spectrum for a service or purpose other than that indicated in the Table of Frequency Allocations in part 2 of this chapter may be made only in accordance with the provisions of part 5 of this chapter. (a) Preliminary determination. The FCC will make a preliminary determination with respect to the factors in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section before acting on an application for developmental authority pursuant to this section. These factors are: (1) That the public interest, convenience or necessity warrants consideration of the establishment of the proposed service or technology; (2) That the proposal appears to have potential value to the public that could warrant the establishment of the new service or technology; (3) That some operational data should be developed for consideration in any rule making proceeding which may be initiated to establish such service or technology. (b) Petition required. Applications for developmental authorizations pursuant to this section must be accompanied by a petition for rule making requesting the FCC to amend its rules as may be necessary to provide for the establishment of the proposed service or technology. (c) Application requirements. Authorizations for developmental authority pursuant to this section will be issued only upon a showing that the applicant has a definite program of research and development which has reasonable promise of substantial contribution to the services authorized by this part. The application must contain an exhibit demonstrating the applicant's technical qualifications to conduct the research and development program, including a description of the nature and extent of engineering facilities that the applicant has available for such purpose. Additionally, the FCC may, in its discretion, require a showing of financial qualification. (d) Communication service for hire prohibited. Stations authorized under developmental authorizations granted pursuant to this section must not be used to provide communication service for hire, unless otherwise specifically authorized by the FCC. (e) Adherence to program. Carriers granted developmental authorization pursuant to this section must substantially adhere to the program of research and development described in their application for developmental authorization, unless the FCC directs otherwise. (f) Report requirements. Upon completion of the program of research and development, or upon the expiration of the developmental authorization under which such program was permitted, or at such times during the term of the station authorization as the FCC may deem necessary to evaluate the progress of the developmental program, the licensee shall submit a comprehensive report, containing: (1) A description of the progress of the program and a detailed analysis of any result obtained; (2) Copies of any publications produced by the program; (3) A listing of any patents applied for, including copies of any patents issued; (4) Copies of any marketing surveys or other measures of potential public demand for the new service; (5) A description of the carrier's experiences with operational aspects of the program including— (i) The duration of transmissions on each channel or frequency range and the technical parameters of such transmissions; and, (ii) Any interference complaints received as a result of operation and how these complaints were investigated and resolved. (g) Confidentiality. Normally, applications and developmental reports are a part of the FCC's public records. However, an applicant or licensee may request that the FCC withhold from public records specific exhibits, reports and other material associated with a developmental authorization. (h) Renewal. Expiring developmental authorizations issued pursuant to this section may be renewed if the carrier— (1) Shows that further progress in the program of research and development requires additional time to operate under developmental authorization; (2) Complied with the reporting requirements of paragraph (f) of this section; and, (3) Immediately resolved to the FCC's satisfaction all complaints of interference caused by the station operating under developmental authority. [59 FR 59507, Nov. 17, 1994, as amended at 61 FR 54099, Oct. 17, 1996] Because of the potential for interference with the reception by broadcast television sets and video recorders of full service TV stations transmitting on TV Channels 4 and 5, 72–76 MHz channels are assigned for use within 16 kilometers (10 miles) of the antenna of any full service TV station transmitting on TV Channel 4 or 5 only under developmental authorizations subject to the requirements of this section, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section. (a) Carrier responsibility. Carriers so authorized shall operate the 72–76 MHz fixed station under developmental authority for a period of at least six months. During the developmental period, carriers must resolve any broadcast television receiver interference problems that may occur as a result of operation of the 72–76 MHz transmitter(s). (b) Exceptions. The FCC may grant a regular authorization in the Paging and Radiotelephone Service for a 72–76 MHz fixed station under the following circumstances: (1) After six months of operation under developmental authorization, and provided that broadcast TV interference complaints have been resolved by the carrier in a satisfactory manner. Licensees that hold a developmental authorization for a 72–76 MHz fixed station and wish to request a regular authorization must file an application using FCC Form 601 via the ULS prior to the expiration of the developmental authorization. (2) In the case of the assignment of or a transfer of control of a regular authorization of a 72–76 MHz fixed station in the Paging and Radiotelephone Service, the FCC may grant such assignment or consent to such transfer of control provided that the station has been in continuous operation providing service with no substantial interruptions. (3) If a proposed 72–76 MHz fixed transmitter antenna is to be located within 50 meters (164 feet) of the antenna of the full service TV station transmitting on TV Channel 4 or 5, the FCC may grant a regular authorization instead of a developmental authorization. [59 FR 59507, Nov. 17, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 59954, Nov. 21, 1994; 63 FR 68944, Dec. 14, 1998]
Title 47: Telecommunication
PART 22—PUBLIC MOBILE SERVICES
Subpart D—Developmental Authorizations
§ 22.401 Description and purposes of developmental authorizations.
§ 22.403 General limitations.
§ 22.409 Developmental authorization for a new Public Mobile Service or technology.
§ 22.413 Developmental authorization of 72–76 MHz fixed transmitters.
