218-219 MHz Service

This document modifies the regulations governing the licensing of the 218-219 MHz Service to maximize the efficient and effective use of the 218-219 MHz band. The Commission amends the rules to redesignate the 218-219 MHz Service from a strictly private radio service to a service that can be used in common carrier and private operations, extend the license term to ten years, adopt a ``substantial service'' analysis to replace the three-and five-year construction benchmarks, and permit partitioning and disaggregation of spectrum. Additionally, the Commission addresses the constitutional issues raised by Graceba Total Communications, Inc. that are before the Commission on remand from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, together with similar issues raised by other commenters in the proceeding.