FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I seek cost sharing reimbursement for any relocated incumbent systems?
When do I submit my relocation data?
What is a PCN and when do I submit it?
What site data does my company need to send?
Is my company required to submit microwave link data?
What is "Self Relocation"?
What is "the Agreement Date"?
How does the cost-sharing formula work for Fixed Microwave Service?
How does the cost-sharing formula work for BRS?
What is the sunset date?

Can I seek cost sharing reimbursement for any relocated incumbent systems?

AWS entrants, MSS/ATC entrants, and certain self-relocating microwave incumbents may seek reimbursement for costs associated with the relocation of licensed incumbent systems that have primary status.  In the FMS scenario, microwave incumbents may also relocate themselves and seek reimbursement from the first AWS beneficiary.  Claims for reimbursement are limited to relocation expenses incurred on or after November 29, 2006 and prior to the sunset date (defined below).  At sunset date, FMS and BRS in the AWS spectrum band will automatically have secondary status.  Any relocation of FMS and BRS licensees after the sunset date will not be subject to cost sharing obligations.  

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When do I submit my relocation data?

Relocation data must be submitted with the Clearinghouse within 30 calendar days of the Agreement Date. 

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What is a PCN and when do I submit it?

AWS licensees and MSS/ATC licensees must file a PCN (Prior Coordination Notice) with the Clearinghouse containing the site specific data pertaining to the newly constructed or modified base station prior to initiating operations for such a base station. Companies should submit base station site data to the Clearinghouse on the same date it submits its PCN. If a carrier delays filing its site information the Clearinghouse reserves the right to backdate the triggered obligation for purposes of determining depreciation. Click here for the PCN Data Formats. 

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What site data does my company need to send?

The Clearinghouse requires minimal site data - the latitude, longitude, frequency block, and identification numbers. This data is sent to the PCIA's Advanced Wireless Services Clearinghouse using an Excel spreadsheet.
Click here for the PCN Data Formats

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Is my company required to submit microwave link data?

No company is ever required to register link information. However, companies that do not register link information cannot be reimbursed for costs involved in relocation.

Because of the depreciation factor in the cost-sharing formula, there may be benefit in registering links as early as possible. (Depreciation subtracts roughly $1,000 every month from a first-trigger pro-rata obligation for a $250,000 link.)

Registering links with the PCIA Advanced Wireless Services Clearinghouse is risk-free. There is no charge for registering link information with the Clearinghouse.

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What is “Self Relocation”?

An FMS incumbent licensee may choose to voluntarily relocate its own link out of the AWS spectrum. Such an FMS incumbent is commonly referred to as a “voluntarily relocating microwave incumbent.” A voluntarily relocating microwave incumbent is entitled to seek reimbursement from AWS licensees benefiting from the self relocation.

When the FMS incumbent relocates a paired link in the 2130-2150 and 2180-2200 MHz bands, it may not seek reimbursement from MSS or MSS/ATC operators. The voluntarily relocating microwave incumbent is entitled to seek partial reimbursement from the first benefiting AWS entrant, equal to 50 % of the actual costs for relocating the paired link or half the reimbursement cap, whichever is less.

BRS incumbent licensees voluntarily relocating their own links out of the AWS spectrum are not entitled to reimbursement under the cost sharing rules. See Ninth Report and Order ¶ 20

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What is “the Agreement Date”?

The Agreement Date (or Relocation Date) is the date of the relocation agreement between the microwave incumbent and the AWS relocator under which the AWS relocator agrees to pay the microwave incumbent’s relocation costs.  The Clearinghouse determines the number of months that have elapsed between the relocation of the link and a trigger based on this date.  For voluntarily relocating incumbents, the Agreement Date is the date on which it notifies the Commission that it plans to discontinue its use of the link.  See §101.305 of the Commission’s rules for more information.
Click Here for FMS data formats
Click Here for BRS data formats

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How does the cost-sharing formula work for Fixed Microwave Service?

The Clearinghouse uses the FCC Formula found in Rule Section 27.1164 to determine the obligation amount. Simply, the formula is:

C/N x D

C = Costs of the link reported to the Clearinghouse (up to the caps)

N = Number of benefiting licensees to the relocation

D = Depreciation (120-m/120)*

*Depreciation is calculated in the following manner: First the Clearinghouse determines the number of whole months from the link agreement date to the notification date. (Examples: 12/01/08 to 12/02/09 is twelve months. 12/01/08 to 11/30/09 is eleven months.) Next, that number is subtracted from 120. (The total number of months in the 2006-2016 cost-sharing period). Then the result is divided by 120.

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How does the cost-sharing formula work for BRS?

The Clearinghouse uses the FCC Formula found in Rule Section 27.1180(a) to determine the obligation amount. Simply, the formula is:

C/N x D

C = Costs of the system reported to the Clearinghouse

N = Number of benefiting licensees to the relocation

D = Depreciation (180-m/180)

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What is the sunset date?

Sunset is the term the FCC uses to describe the termination of its rules for microwave relocation and cost-sharing in the 2.1 GHz band.  The sunset date for BRS relocations is set for November 29, 2021, and the sunset date for FMS is set for November 29, 2016.

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