Plan for Sharing the Costs of Microwave Relocation

By this Second Report and Order, the Commission amends certain aspects of the microwave relocation rules, which were first established in the Emerging Technologies proceeding and were modified and clarified in the First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in this docket. Specifically, the Commission adjusts the relocation timetables for the broadband PCS C, D, E, and F blocks by shortening the voluntary negotiation period applicable to each block for non-public safety incumbents by one year. This change will facilitate the relocation process for the most recently licensed PCS blocks and will create incentives for all parties to enter into early negotiations. The Commission does not alter the timetable for public safety incumbents in the broadband PCS C, D, E, and F blocks. In addition, the Commission permits microwave incumbents to participate in the cost-sharing program adopted in the First Report and Order. The cost-sharing program currently allows PCS licensees who relocate microwave incumbents to obtain reimbursement rights and collect reimbursement under the cost-sharing plan from later-entrant PCS licensees that benefit from the relocation.