'Commence Operations' Definition Key to Successful Incentive Auction, CTIA Says

that is readily understood by all stakeholders and leaves no doubt as to the regulatory obligations of affected parties.” Among CTIA’s suggestions is that the FCC ensures wireless licensees have access to the spectrum they buy “free from interference, including to test their networks, by tying the definition of ‘commence operations’ to the initial transmission on the spectrum by licensee.” Wireless licensees should also have “primary control” over the notice process, CTIA said. The definition has implications for many other parts of the post-auction transition, the group said. “Before commencing operation wireless carriers must provide 120 days’ notice to Low Power Television [LPTV] and TV translator stations, and must coordinate with the National Science Foundation regarding operations at permanent fixed locations near certain radioastronomy service observatories,” CTIA said. “Critically, the date of a 600 MHz wireless licensee’s commencement of operations triggers the obligation of the secondary users of the 600 MHz band (namely LPTV, TV translator, broadcast auxiliary service, and TV white space device operations) to vacate the band.” The comments were posted Tuesday in docket 12-268.