The Future Development of SMR Systems in the 800 MHz Frequency Band

In this First Report and Order in PR Docket No. 93-144, and Eighth Report and Order in PP Docket No. 93-253, the Commission adopts final service and competitive bidding rules for the ``upper 10 MHz block'' of 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) spectrum and adopts rules which streamline the licensing process for SMR services in the 800 MHz band. In this First Report and Order (``First R&O''), the Commission designates a portion of 800 MHz SMR spectrum for wide-area licensing using license areas defined by the Economic Areas (EAs) established by the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis. Under this wide-area licensing plan the Commission has allocated three channel blocks, one 120-channel block, one 60-channel block, and one 20-channel block. In this Eighth Report and Order (``Eighth R&O''), the Commission reiterated that competitive bidding is an appropriate licensing tool for the 800 MHz SMR service. The Commission also adopts specific auction rules for the upper 10 MHz block, including rules pertaining to competitive bidding design, license grouping, bidding procedures, and treatment of ``designated entities'' (that is, small businesses, businesses owned by minorities and/or women, and rural telephone companies). The intended effect of this action is to facilitate future deployment of SMR systems in the 800 MHz band through licensing procedures and the use of competitive bidding.