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The BRS/EBS R&O & FNPRM created a new band plan for 2495-2690 MHz. The new band plan eliminates the use of interleaved channels by MDS and ITFS licensees and creates distinct band segments for high power operations, such as one-way video transmission, and low power operations, such as two-way fixed and mobile broadband applications.
By grouping high and low power users into separate portions of the band, the new band plan reduces the likelihood of interference caused by incompatible uses and creates incentives for the development of low-power, cellularized broadband operations, which were inhibited by the prior band plan.

The BRS/EBS R&O & FNPRM also expands the original MDS-ITFS band by adding to it five megahertz of additional spectrum from below 2500 MHz, which increases the total size of the band to 194 megahertz. This will provide room for the future relocation of MDS Channels 1 and 2, which are presently located in the 2.1 GHz band.

The new band plan will enable BRS and EBS providers to use the 2495-2690 MHz spectrum in a more technologically and economically efficient manner. The new, more flexible rules will facilitate the growth of new and innovative wireless technologies and services, including wireless broadband services that have the potential to compete with cable and DSL broadband providers and to extend broadband service to rural and underserved areas. The rules adopted today also preserve operations of existing licensees, including educational institutions offering instructional television programming to their students.

The Educational Broadband Service (EBS), formerly known as the Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS), is an educational service that has generally been used for the transmission of instructional material to accredited educational institutions and non-educational institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, training centers, and rehabilitation centers using high-powered systems. Our recent revamping of the EBS spectrum will now make it possible for EBS users to continue their instructional services utilizing low-power broadband systems while also providing students with high-speed internet access.

Under the new rules, licensees will have the flexibility to use the technology of their choice for a wide variety of purposes. Until a market is transitioned, licensees may continue to operate in accordance with their currently licensed operations.

The new rules provide each licensee with a geographic service area. For EBS and site-based BRS authorizations, the geographic service area generally consists of the station's 35-mile protected service area (PSA). In those instances where two stations have overlapping PSAs, the rules use a "splitting a football" approach to divide the overlap area between the licensees. For BRS BTA authorization holders, the geographic service area consists of those portions of the BTA not occupied by the GSAs of other stations. Licensees may, in most cases, modify their facilities, consistent with the new technical rules, without prior Commission approval. With geographic area licensing, licensees may also add additional facilities (such as hubs and boosters) within their GSA without prior Commission approval, so long as the facilities comply with the technical rules.

Licensees must file applications and be granted specific licenses for individual facilities within their GSAs if: (1) international agreements require coordination; (2) submission of an environmental assessment is required; or (3) the station would affect the radio quiet zones.

Any antenna structure that requires notification to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must be registered with the Commission prior to construction.