On February 28, 2020, in furtherance
of the goal of releasing more mid-band spectrum into the market to
support and enable next-generation wireless networks, the
Commission adopted a Report and Order, FCC 20-22, (3.7 GHz Report
and Order) in which it reformed the use of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band,
also known as the C-Band. The 3.7 GHz-4.2 GHz band currently is
allocated in the United States exclusively for non-Federal use on a
primary basis for Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) and Fixed Service.
Domestically, space station operators use the 3.7-4.2 GHz band to
provide downlink signals of various bandwidths to licensed
transmit-receive, registered receive-only, and unregistered
receive-only earth stations throughout the United States. The 3.7
GHz Report and Order calls for the relocation of existing FSS
operations in the band into the upper 200 megahertz of the band
(4.0-4.2 GHz) and making the lower 280 megahertz (3.7-3.98 GHz)
available for flexible-use throughout the contiguous United States
through a Commission-administered public auction of overlay
licenses that is scheduled to occur later this year. The Commission
adopted a robust transition schedule to achieve an expeditious
relocation of FSS operations and ensure that a significant amount
of spectrum is made available quickly for next-generation wireless
deployments, while also ensuring effective accommodation of
relocated incumbent users. The 3.7 GHz Report and Order establishes
a deadline of December 5, 2025, for full relocation to ensure that
all FSS operations are cleared in a timely manner, but provides an
opportunity for accelerated clearing of the band by allowing
incumbent space station operators to commit to voluntarily relocate
on a two-phased accelerated schedule (with additional obligations
and incentives for such operators), with a Phase I deadline of
December 5, 2021, and a Phase II deadline of December 5, 2023. The
Commission concluded in the 3.7 GHz Report and Order that, before
the public auction of overlay licenses commences, it is appropriate
for potential bidders to know when they will get access to the
spectrum in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band that is currently occupied by
incumbent FSS space station operators and earth stations, and to
have an estimate of how much they may be required to pay for
incumbent relocation costs and accelerated relocation payments
should they become overlay licensees. To facilitate this providing
this information to potential auction bidders, the Commission is
seeking approval for a new information collection to permit it to
collect the following information from incumbents as adopted in the
3.7 GHz Report and Order:
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.