on Universal License System (ULS).

Applicants for non-exclusive nationwide licenses will be required to file FCC Form 601 Main Form. Because the non-exclusive nationwide license serves as a prerequisite for registering fixed and base stations, an applicant will receive a single license for the entire bandwidth of the 3650 MHz band (i.e., 3650-3700 MHz).

On March 10, 2005, the Commission adopted a Report and Order, FCC 05-56 (pdf), establishing service rules to open the 3650 MHz band for terrestrial fixed and mobile wireless broadband operations. In the Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 07-99 (pdf), adopted on May 22, 2007, the Commission addressed petitions for reconsideration of the Report and Order by affirming the rules and policies adopted in 2005 while at the same time ensuring that incumbent, grandfathered Earth stations and Federal radiolocation stations in this band are protected from harmful interference.

The Commission adopted a flexible and innovative regulatory framework for the 3650-3700 MHz band that would not require traditional frequency coordination among non-Federal users with the exception of incumbent Fixed Satellite Service Licensees (FSS). These rules involve minimal regulatory burdens to encourage multiple entrants and to stimulate the rapid expansion of broadband services, especially in America's rural heartland.

A license for the 3650-3700 MHz Radio Service will consist of a non-exclusive nationwide license, combined with fixed and base station registration.

All interested parties must have a non-exclusive nationwide license prior to registering a fixed or base station. Mobile and portable stations, which are typically used by consumers, i.e., end users or subscribers, do not require a separate license and do not have to be registered in ULS.

The non-exclusive nationwide license does not authorize operation, until each base or fixed station is registered and in an “Accepted” status and the nationwide license is updated on ULS.

The registration process will also facilitate protection of grandfathered, incumbent stations from interference. There are two types of grandfathered, incumbent stations that new 3650 MHz band licensees must protect: non-Federal and Federal.

Non-Federal. Absent an agreement between the relevant licensees, new terrestrial stations are prohibited (and thus base and fixed stations cannot be registered) within 150 km circular protection zones established around each grandfathered Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) Earth station.

Federal. Requests to register base or fixed stations within 80 km circular protection zones established around each of three Federal Government radiolocation stations will only be approved upon successful coordination by the FCC with NTIA. Rule Section 90.1331 outlines the protection requirements for the three federal government radiolocation stations at St. Inigoes, MD 38 10 00 N 76 23 00 W; Pascagoula, MS 30 22 00 N 88 29 00 W; and Pensacola, FL 30 21 28 N 87 16 26 W. Note: Licensees should also determine if there are any nearby Federal Government radar systems operating in adjacent bands that could affect their operations by consulting NTIA TR-99-361.

Wireless ISP Innovators Create a 3.65 GHz Virtual Map of Exclusion Zones to Aid Adoption in the US, WiMAX.com Blog