22.947—Five year build-out period.

Except for systems authorized in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Zone, the licensee of the first cellular system authorized on each channel block in each cellular market is afforded a five year period, beginning on the date the initial authorization for the system is granted, during which it may expand the system within that market.

(a) Exclusive right to expand within market. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the FCC does not accept applications for authority to operate a new cellular system in any unserved area in a market on a channel block during the five year build-out period.

(b) Partitioned markets. During the five-year build-out period, the licensee of the first cellular system on each channel block in each market may enter into contracts with eligible parties, allowing such parties to apply by using FCC Form 601 for a new cellular system in that channel block within the market. The FCC may grant such applications if they are in compliance with the rules in this part. Markets with two or more authorized cellular systems on the same channel block during the five year build-out period are referred to (with respect to the affected channel block) as “partitioned markets”.

(1) Partitioning contracts must define the CGSA of the subsequent cellular system in accordance with § 22.911, including any expansion rights ceded. If not exercised, any such expansion rights terminate at the end of the five year build-out period.

(2) The five year build-out period begins on the date the initial authorization for the first cellular system is granted, and is not extended or affected in any way by the initial authorization of any subsequent cellular systems pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section.

(c) System information update. Sixty days before the end of the five year build-out period, the licensee of each cellular system authorized on each channel block in each cellular market must file, in triplicate, a system information update (SIU), comprising a full size map, a reduced map, and an exhibit showing technical data relevant to determination of the system's CGSA. Separate maps must be submitted for each market into which the CGSA extends, showing the extension area in the adjacent market. Maps showing extension areas must be labeled (i.e. marked with the market number and channel block) for the market into which the CGSA extends. SIUs must accurately depict the relevant cell locations and coverage of the system at the end of the five year build-out period. SIUs must be filed at the Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Mobility Division, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. If any changes to the system occur after the filing of the SIU, but before the end of the five year build-out period, the licensee must file, in triplicate, additional maps and/or data as necessary to insure that the cell locations and coverage of the system as of the end of the five year build-out period are accurately depicted.

(1) The scale of the full-size map must be 1:500,000, regardless of whether any different scale is used for the reduced map. The map must have a legend, a distance scale and correctly labeled latitude and longitude lines. The map must be clear and legible. The map must accurately show the cell sites (transmitting antenna locations) which determine the CGSA, the entire CGSA, any extension of the composite service are boundary beyond the CGSA (see § 22.911) and the relevant portions of the cellular market boundary. The date on which the map depictions are accurate must appear on the map.

(2) The reduced map must be a proportional reduction, to 8 1/2 ×11 inches, of the full-size map required in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, unless it proves to be impractical to depict the entire market by reducing the full-size map. In such instance, an 8 1/2 ×11 inch map of a different scale may be substituted, provided that the required features of the full-size map are clearly depicted and labeled.

[59 FR 59507, Nov. 17, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 59954, Nov. 21, 1994; 63 FR 68951, Dec. 14, 1998; 67 FR 13225, Mar. 21, 2002; 67 FR 9609, Mar. 4, 2002; 70 FR 61058, Oct. 20, 2005]

CFR

22.947—Five year build-out period.