(a) The purpose of this subpart is to implement policies and rules pertaining to spectrum leasing arrangements between licensees in the services identified in this subpart and spectrum lessees. This subpart also implements policies for private commons arrangements. The policies and rules in this subpart also implicate other Commission rule parts, including parts 1, 2, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 30, 80, 90, 95, and 101 of title 47, chapter I of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(b) Licensees holding exclusive use rights are permitted to engage in spectrum leasing whether their operations are characterized as commercial, common carrier, private, or non-common carrier.

Contraband Interdiction System. Contraband Interdiction System is a system that transmits radio communication signals comprised of one or more stations used only in a correctional facility exclusively to prevent transmissions to or from contraband wireless devices within the boundaries of the facility and/or to obtain identifying information from such contraband wireless devices.

Contraband wireless device. A contraband wireless device is any wireless device, including the physical hardware or part of a device, such as a subscriber identification module (SIM), that is used within a correctional facility in violation of federal, state, or local law, or a correctional facility rule, regulation, or policy.

Correctional facility. A correctional facility is any facility operated or overseen by federal, state, or local authorities that houses or holds criminally charged or convicted inmates for any period of time, including privately owned and operated correctional facilities that operate through contracts with federal, state, or local jurisdictions.

De facto transfer leasing arrangement. A spectrum leasing arrangement in which a licensee retains de jure control of its license while transferring de facto control of the leased spectrum to a spectrum lessee, pursuant to the spectrum leasing rules set forth in this subpart.

FCC Form 608. FCC Form 608 is the form to be used by licensees and spectrum lessees that enter into spectrum leasing arrangements pursuant to the rules set forth in this subpart. Parties are required to submit this form electronically when entering into spectrum leasing arrangements under this subpart, except that licensees falling within the provisions of § 1.913(d), may file the form either electronically or manually.

Long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement. A long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement is a de facto transfer leasing arrangement that has an individual term, or series of combined terms, of more than one year.

Private commons. A “private commons” arrangement is an arrangement, distinct from a spectrum leasing arrangement but permitted in the same services for which spectrum leasing arrangements are allowed, in which a licensee or spectrum lessee makes certain spectrum usage rights under a particular license authorization available to a class of third-party users employing advanced communications technologies that involve peer-to-peer (device-to-device) communications and that do not involve use of the licensee's or spectrum lessee's end-to-end physical network infrastructure (e.g., base stations, mobile stations, or other related elements).

Short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement. A short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement is a de facto transfer leasing arrangement that has an individual or combined term of not longer than one year.

Spectrum leasing application. The application submitted to the Commission by a licensee and a spectrum lessee seeking approval of a de facto transfer leasing arrangement.

Spectrum leasing arrangement. An arrangement between a licensed entity and a third-party entity in which the licensee leases certain of its spectrum usage rights in the licensed spectrum to the third-party entity, the spectrum lessee, pursuant to the rules set forth in this subpart. The arrangement may involve the leasing of any amount of licensed spectrum, in any geographic area or site encompassed by the license, for any period of time during the term of the license authorization. Two different types of spectrum leasing arrangements, spectrum manager leasing arrangements and de facto transfer leasing arrangements, are permitted under this subpart.

Spectrum leasing notification. The required notification submitted by a licensee to the Commission regarding a spectrum manager leasing arrangement.

Spectrum lessee. Any third-party entity that leases, pursuant to the spectrum leasing rules set forth in this subpart, certain spectrum usage rights held by a licensee. This term includes reference to third-party entities that lease spectrum usage rights as spectrum sublessees under spectrum subleasing arrangements.

Spectrum manager leasing arrangement. A spectrum leasing arrangement in which a licensee retains both de jure control of its license and de facto control of the leased spectrum that it leases to a spectrum lessee, pursuant to the spectrum leasing rules set forth in this subpart.

The spectrum leasing policies and rules of this subpart apply to the following services, which include Wireless Radio Services in which commercial or private licensees hold exclusive use rights and the Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) of a Mobile Satellite Service:

(a) The Paging and Radiotelephone Service (part 22 of this chapter);

(b) The Rural Radiotelephone Service (part 22 of this chapter);

(c) The Air-Ground Radiotelephone Service (part 22 of this chapter);

(d) The Cellular Radiotelephone Service (part 22 of this chapter);

(e) The Offshore Radiotelephone Service (part 22 of this chapter);

(f) The narrowband Personal Communications Service (part 24 of this chapter);

(g) The broadband Personal Communications Service (part 24 of this chapter);

(h) The Broadband Radio Service (part 27 of this chapter);

(i) The Educational Broadband Service (part 27 of this chapter);

(j) The Wireless Communications Service in the 698-746 MHz band (part 27 of this chapter);

(k) The Wireless Communications Service in the 746-758 MHz, 775-788 MHz, and 805-806 MHz bands (part 27 of this chapter);

(l) The Wireless Communications Service in the 1390-1392 MHz band (part 27 of this chapter);

(m) The Wireless Communications Service in the paired 1392-1395 MHz and 1432-1435 MHz bands (part 27 of this chapter);

(n) The Wireless Communications Service in the 1670-1675 MHz band (part 27 of this chapter);

(o) The Wireless Communications Service in the 2305-2320 and 2345-2360 MHz bands (part 27 of this chapter);

(p) The Citizens Broadband Radio Service in the 3550-3650 MHz band (part 96 of this chapter).

(q) The Advanced Wireless Services (part 27 of this chapter);

(r) The VHF Public Coast Station service (part 80 of this chapter);

(s) The Automated Maritime Telecommunications Systems service (part 80 of this chapter);

(t) The Public Safety Radio Services (part 90 of this chapter);

(u) The 220 MHz Service (excluding public safety licensees) (part 90 of this chapter);

(v) The Specialized Mobile Radio Service in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands (including exclusive use SMR licenses in the General Category channels) (part 90 of this chapter);

(w) The Location and Monitoring Service (LMS) with regard to licenses for multilateration LMS systems (part 90 of this chapter);

(x) Paging operations under part 90 of this chapter;

(y) The Business and Industrial/Land Transportation (B/ILT) channels (part 90 of this chapter) (including all B/ILT channels above 512 MHz and those in the 470-512 MHz band where a licensee has achieved exclusivity, but excluding B/ILT channels in the 470-512 MHz band where a licensee has not achieved exclusivity and those channels below 470 MHz, including those licensed pursuant to 47 CFR 90.187(b)(2)(v));

(z) The 218-219 MHz band (part 95 of this chapter);

(aa) The Local Multipoint Distribution Service (part 101 of this chapter);

(bb) The 24 GHz Band (part 101 of this chapter);

(cc) The 39 GHz Band (part 101 of this chapter);

(dd) The Multiple Address Systems band (part 101 of this chapter);

(ee) The Local Television Transmission Service (part 101 of this chapter);

(ff) The Private-Operational Fixed Point-to-Point Microwave Service (part 101 of this chapter);

(gg) The Common Carrier Fixed Point-to-Point Microwave Service (part 101 of this chapter);

(hh) The Multipoint Video Distribution and Data Service (part 101 of this chapter);

(ii) The 700 MHz Guard Bands Service (part 27 of this chapter);

(jj) The ATC of a Mobile Satellite Service (part 25 of this chapter);

(kk) The 600 MHz band (part 27 of this chapter);

(ll) The Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (part 30 of this chapter);

(mm) The 3.7 GHz Service in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band;

(nn) The 900 MHz Broadband Service (part 27 of this chapter); and

(oo) [Reserved]

(pp) The 3.45 GHz Service in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band (part 27 of this chapter).

(a) Under the rules established for spectrum leasing arrangements in this subpart, the following standard is applied for purposes of determining whether a licensee retains de facto control under section 310(d) of the Communications Act with regard to spectrum that it leases to a spectrum lessee.

(b) A licensee will be deemed to have retained de facto control of leased spectrum if it enters into a spectrum leasing arrangement and acts as a spectrum manager with regard to portions of the licensed spectrum that it leases to a spectrum lessee, provided the licensee satisfies the following two conditions:

(1) Licensee responsibility for lessee compliance with Commission policies and rules. The licensee must remain fully responsible for ensuring the spectrum lessee's compliance with the Communications Act and all applicable policies and rules directly related to the use of the leased spectrum.

(i) Through contractual provisions and actual oversight and enforcement of such provisions, the licensee must act in a manner sufficient to ensure that the spectrum lessee operates in conformance with applicable technical and use rules governing the license authorization.

(ii) The licensee must maintain a reasonable degree of actual working knowledge about the spectrum lessee's activities and facilities that affect its ongoing compliance with the Commission's policies and rules. These responsibilities include: Coordinating operations and modifications of the spectrum lessee's system to ensure compliance with Commission rules regarding non-interference with co-channel and adjacent channel licensees (and any authorized spectrum user); making all determinations as to whether an application is required for any individual spectrum lessee stations (e.g., those that require frequency coordination, submission of an Environmental Assessment under § 1.1307 of subpart I of this part, those that require international or Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) coordination, those that affect radio frequency quiet zones described in § 1.924 of subpart F of this part, or those that require notification to the Federal Aviation Administration under part 17 of this chapter); and, ensuring that the spectrum lessee complies with the Commission's safety guidelines relating to human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation (e.g., § 1.1307(b) and related rules of subpart I of this part). The licensee is responsible for resolving all interference-related matters, including conflicts between its spectrum lessee and any other spectrum lessee or licensee (or authorized spectrum user). The licensee may use agents (e.g., counsel, engineering consultants) when carrying out these responsibilities, so long as the licensee exercises effective control over its agents' actions.

(iii) The licensee must be able to inspect the spectrum lessee's operations and must retain the right to terminate the spectrum leasing arrangement in the event the spectrum lessee fails to comply with the terms of the arrangement and/or applicable Commission requirements. If the licensee or the Commission determines that there is any violation of the Commission's rules or that the spectrum lessee's system is causing harmful interference, the licensee must immediately take steps to remedy the violation, resolve the interference, suspend or terminate the operation of the system, or take other measures to prevent further harmful interference until the situation can be remedied. If the spectrum lessee refuses to resolve the interference, remedy the violation, or suspend or terminate operations, either at the direction of the licensee or by order of the Commission, the licensee must use all reasonable legal means necessary to enforce compliance.

(2) Licensee responsibility for interactions with the Commission, including all filings, required under the license authorization and applicable service rules directly related to the leased spectrum. The licensee remains responsible for the following interactions with the Commission:

(i) The licensee must file the necessary notification with the Commission, as required under § 1.9020(e).

(ii) The licensee is responsible for making all required filings (e.g., applications, notifications, correspondence) associated with the license authorization that are directly affected by the spectrum lessee's use of the licensed spectrum. The licensee may use agents (e.g., counsel, engineering consultants) to complete these filings, so long as the licensee exercises effective control over its agents' actions and complies with any signature requirements for such filings.

(a) Overview. Under the provisions of this section, a licensee (in any of the included services) and a spectrum lessee may enter into a spectrum manager leasing arrangement, without the need for prior Commission approval, provided that the licensee retains de jure control of the license and de facto control, as defined and explained in this subpart, of the leased spectrum. The licensee must notify the Commission of the spectrum leasing arrangement pursuant to the rules set forth in this section. The term of a spectrum manager leasing arrangement may be no longer than the term of the license authorization.

(b) Rights and responsibilities of the licensee. (1) The licensee is directly and primarily responsible for ensuring the spectrum lessee's compliance with the Communications Act and applicable Commission policies and rules.

(2) The licensee retains responsibility for maintaining its compliance with applicable eligibility and ownership requirements imposed on it pursuant to the license authorization.

(3) The licensee must retain a copy of the spectrum leasing agreement and make it available upon request by the Commission.

(c) Rights and responsibilities of the spectrum lessee. (1) The spectrum lessee must comply with the Communications Act and with Commission requirements associated with the license.

(2) The spectrum lessee is responsible for establishing that it meets the eligibility and qualification requirements applicable to spectrum lessees under the rules set forth in this section.

(3) The spectrum lessee must comply with any obligations that apply directly to it as a result of its own status as a service provider (e.g., Title II obligations if the spectrum lessee acts as a telecommunications carrier or acts as a common carrier).

(4) In addition to the licensee being directly accountable to the Commission for ensuring the spectrum lessee's compliance with the Commission's operational rules and policies (as discussed in this subpart), the spectrum lessee is independently accountable to the Commission for complying with the Communications Act and Commission policies and rules, including those that apply directly to the spectrum lessee as a result of its own status as a service provider.

(5) In leasing spectrum from a licensee, the spectrum lessee must accept Commission oversight and enforcement consistent with the license authorization. The spectrum lessee must cooperate fully with any investigation or inquiry conducted by either the Commission or the licensee, allow the Commission or the licensee to conduct on-site inspections of transmission facilities, and suspend operations at the direction of the Commission or the licensee and to the extent that such suspension would be consistent with the Commission's suspension policies.

(6) The spectrum lessee must retain a copy of the spectrum leasing agreement and make it available upon request by the Commission.

(d) Applicability of particular service rules and policies. Under a spectrum manager leasing arrangement, the service rules and policies apply in the following manner to the licensee and spectrum lessee:

(1) Interference-related rules. The interference and radiofrequency (RF) safety rules applicable to use of the spectrum by the licensee as a condition of its license authorization also apply to the use of the spectrum leased by the spectrum lessee.

(2) General eligibility rules. (i) The spectrum lessee must meet the same eligibility and qualification requirements that are applicable to the licensee under its license authorization, with the following exceptions. A spectrum lessee entering into a spectrum leasing arrangement involving a licensee in the Public Safety Radio Services (see part 90, subpart B and § 90.311(a)(1)(i) of this chapter) is not required to comply with the eligibility requirements pertaining to such a licensee so long as the spectrum lessee is an entity providing communications in support of public safety operations (see § 90.523(b) of this chapter). A spectrum lessee entering into a spectrum leasing arrangement involving a licensee in the Mobile Satellite Service with ATC authority (see part 25 of this chapter) is not required to comply with the eligibility requirements pertaining to such a licensee so long as the spectrum lessee meets the other eligibility and qualification requirements of paragraphs (d)(2)(ii) and (iv) of this section.

(ii) The spectrum lessee must meet applicable foreign ownership eligibility requirements (see sections 310(a), 310(b) of the Communications Act).

(iii) The spectrum lessee must satisfy any qualification requirements, including character qualifications, applicable to the licensee under its license authorization.

(iv) The spectrum lessee must not be a person subject to the denial of Federal benefits under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (see § 1.2001 et seq. of subpart P of this part).

(v) The licensee may reasonably rely on the spectrum lessee's certifications that it meets the requisite eligibility and qualification requirements contained in the notification required by this section.

(3) Use restrictions. To the extent that the licensee is restricted from using the licensed spectrum to offer particular services under its license authorization, the use restrictions apply to the spectrum lessee as well.

(4) Designated entity/entrepreneur rules. A licensee that holds a license pursuant to small business, rural service provider, and/or entrepreneur provisions (see § 1.2110 and § 24.709 of this chapter) and continues to be subject to unjust enrichment requirements (see § 1.2111 and § 24.714 of this chapter) and/or transfer restrictions (see § 24.839 of this chapter) may enter into a spectrum manager leasing arrangement with a spectrum lessee, regardless of whether the spectrum lessee meets the Commission's designated entity eligibility requirements (see § 1.2110 of this chapter) or its entrepreneur eligibility requirements to hold certain C and F block licenses in the broadband personal communications services (see § 1.2110 and § 24.709 of this chapter), so long as the spectrum manager leasing arrangement does not result in the spectrum lessee's becoming a “controlling interest” or “affiliate” (see § 1.2110 of this chapter) of the licensee such that the licensee would lose its eligibility as a designated entity or entrepreneur.

(5) Construction/performance requirements. Any performance or build-out requirement applicable under a license authorization (e.g., a requirement that the licensee construct and operate one or more specific facilities, cover a certain percentage of geographic area, cover a certain percentage of population, or provide substantial service) always remains a condition of the license, and legal responsibility for meeting such obligation is not delegable to the spectrum lessee(s).

(i) The licensee may attribute to itself the build-out or performance activities of its spectrum lessee(s) for purposes of complying with any applicable performance or build-out requirement.

(ii) If a licensee relies on the activities of a spectrum lessee to meet the licensee's performance or build-out obligation, and the spectrum lessee fails to engage in those activities, the Commission will enforce the applicable performance or build-out requirements against the licensee, consistent with the applicable rules.

(iii) If there are rules applicable to the license concerning the discontinuance of operation, the licensee is accountable for any such discontinuance and the rules will be enforced against the licensee regardless of whether the licensee was relying on the activities of a lessee to meet particular performance requirements.

(6) Regulatory classification. If the regulatory status of the licensee (e.g., common carrier or non-common carrier status) is prescribed by rule, the regulatory status of the spectrum lessee is prescribed in the same manner, except that § 20.9(a) of this chapter shall not preclude a licensee in the services covered by that rule from entering into a spectrum leasing arrangement with a spectrum lessee that chooses to operate on a Private Mobile Radio Service (PMRS), private, or non-commercial basis.

(7) Regulatory fees. The licensee remains responsible for payment of the required regulatory fees that must be paid in advance of its license term (see § 1.1152). Where, however, regulatory fees are paid annually on a per-unit basis (such as for Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) pursuant to § 1.1152), the licensee and spectrum lessee are each required to pay fees for those units associated with its respective operations.

(8) E911 requirements. If E911 obligations apply to the licensee (see § 9.10 of this chapter), the licensee retains the obligations with respect to leased spectrum. However, if the spectrum lessee is a Contraband Interdiction System (CIS) provider, as defined in § 1.9003, then the CIS provider is responsible for compliance with § 9.10(r) regarding E911 transmission obligations.

(e) Notifications regarding spectrum manager leasing arrangements. A licensee that seeks to enter into a spectrum manager leasing arrangement must notify the Commission of the arrangement in advance of the spectrum lessee's commencement of operations under the lease. Unless the license covering the spectrum to be leased is held pursuant to the Commission's designated entity rules and continues to be subject to unjust enrichment requirements and/or transfer restrictions (see §§ 1.2110 and 1.2111, and §§ 24.709, 24.714, and 24.839 of this chapter) or restrictions in § 1.9046 and § 96.32 of this chapter, the spectrum manager lease notification will be processed pursuant to either the general notification procedures or the immediate processing procedures, as set forth herein. The licensee must submit the notification to the Commission by electronic filing using the Universal Licensing System (ULS) and FCC Form 608, except that a licensee falling within the provisions of § 1.913(d) may file the notification either electronically or manually. If the license covering the spectrum to be leased is held pursuant to the Commission's designated entity rules, the spectrum manager lease will require Commission acceptance of the spectrum manager lease notification prior to the commencement of operations under the lease.

(1) General notification procedures. Notifications of spectrum manager leasing arrangements will be processed pursuant to the general notification procedures set forth in this paragraph (e)(1) unless they are submitted and qualify for the immediate processing procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.

(i) To be accepted under these general notification procedures, the notification must be sufficiently complete and contain all information and certifications requested on the applicable form, FCC Form 608, including any information and certifications (including those of the spectrum lessee relating to eligibility, basic qualifications, and foreign ownership) required by the rules in this chapter and any rules pertaining to the specific service for which the notification is filed. No application fees are required for the filing of a spectrum manager leasing notification.

(ii) The licensee must submit such notification at least 21 days in advance of commencing operations unless the arrangement is for a term of one year or less, in which case the licensee must provide notification to the Commission at least ten (10) days in advance of operation. If the licensee and spectrum lessee thereafter seek to extend this leasing arrangement for an additional term beyond the initial term, the licensee must provide the Commission with notification of the new spectrum leasing arrangement at least 21 days in advance of operation under the extended term.

(iii) A notification filed pursuant to these general notification procedures will be placed on an informational public notice on a weekly basis (see § 1.933(a)) once accepted, and is subject to reconsideration (see §§ 1.106(f), 1.108, 1.113).

(2) Immediate processing procedures. Notifications that meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, and notifications for Contraband Interdiction Systems as defined in § 1.9003 that meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section, qualify for the immediate processing procedures.

(i) To qualify for these immediate processing procedures, the notification must be sufficiently complete and contain all necessary information and certifications (including those relating to eligibility, basic qualifications, and foreign ownership) required for notifications processed under the general notification procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, and also must establish, through certifications, that the following additional qualifications are met:

(A) The license does not involve spectrum that may be used to provide interconnected mobile voice and/or data services under the applicable service rules and that would, if the spectrum leasing arrangement were consummated, create a geographic overlap with spectrum in any licensed Wireless Radio Service (including the same service), or in the ATC of a Mobile Satellite Service, in which the proposed spectrum lessee already holds a direct or indirect interest of 10% or more (see § 1.2112), either as a licensee or a spectrum lessee, and that could be used by the spectrum lessee to provide interconnected mobile voice and/or data services;

(B) The licensee is not a designated entity or entrepreneur subject to unjust enrichment requirements and/or transfer restrictions under applicable Commission rules (see §§ 1.2110 and 1.2111, and §§ 24.709, 24.714, and 24.839 of this chapter);

(C) The spectrum leasing arrangement does not require a waiver of, or declaratory ruling pertaining to, any applicable Commission rules; and

(D) The application does not involve a transaction in the Enhanced Competition Incentive Program (see subpart EE of this part).

(ii) A lessee of spectrum used in a Contraband Interdiction System qualifies for these immediate processing procedures if the notification is sufficiently complete and contains all necessary information and certifications (including those relating to eligibility, basic qualifications, and foreign ownership) required for notifications processed under the general notification procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, and must not require a waiver of, or declaratory ruling pertaining to, any applicable Commission rules.

(iii) Provided that the notification establishes that the proposed spectrum manager leasing arrangement meets all of the requisite elements to qualify for these immediate processing procedures, ULS will reflect that the notification has been accepted. If a qualifying notification is filed electronically, the acceptance will be reflected in ULS on the next business day after filing of the notification; if filed manually, the acceptance will be reflected in ULS on the next business day after the necessary data from the manually filed notification is entered into ULS. Once the notification has been accepted, as reflected in ULS, the spectrum lessee may commence operations under the spectrum leasing arrangement, consistent with the term of the arrangement.

(iv) A notification filed pursuant to these immediate processing procedures will be placed on an informational public notice on a weekly basis (see § 1.933(a)) once accepted, and is subject to reconsideration (see §§ 1.106(f), 1.108, 1.113).

(f) Effective date of a spectrum manager leasing arrangement. The spectrum manager leasing arrangement will be deemed effective in the Commission's records, and for purposes of the application of the rules set forth in this section, as of the beginning date of the term as specified in the spectrum leasing notification.

(g) Commission termination of a spectrum manager leasing arrangement. The Commission retains the right to investigate and terminate any spectrum manager leasing arrangement if it determines, post-notification, that the arrangement constitutes an unauthorized transfer of de facto control of the leased spectrum, is otherwise in violation of the rules in this chapter, or raises foreign ownership, competitive, or other public interest concerns. Information concerning any such termination will be placed on public notice.

(h) Expiration, extension, or termination of a spectrum leasing arrangement. (1) Absent Commission termination or except as provided in paragraph (h)(2) or (h)(3) of this section, a spectrum leasing arrangement entered into pursuant to this section will expire on the termination date set forth in the spectrum leasing notification.

(2) A spectrum leasing arrangement may be extended beyond the initial term set forth in the spectrum leasing notification provided that the licensee notifies the Commission of the extension in advance of operation under the extended term and does so pursuant to the general notification procedures or immediate processing procedures set forth in this section, whichever is applicable. If the general notification procedures are applicable, the licensee must notify the Commission at least 21 days in advance of operation under the extended term.

(3) If a spectrum leasing arrangement is terminated earlier than the termination date set forth in the notification, either by the licensee or by the parties' mutual agreement, the licensee must file a notification with the Commission, no later than ten (10) days after the early termination, indicating the date of the termination. If the parties fail to put the spectrum leasing arrangement into effect, they must so notify the Commission consistent with the provisions of this section.

(4) The Commission will place information concerning an extension or an early termination of a spectrum leasing arrangement on public notice.

(i) Assignment of a spectrum leasing arrangement. The spectrum lessee may assign its spectrum leasing arrangement to another entity provided that the licensee has agreed to such an assignment, is in privity with the assignee, and notifies the Commission before the consummation of the assignment, pursuant to the applicable notification procedures set forth in this section. In the case of a non-substantial (pro forma) assignment that falls within the class of pro forma transactions for which prior Commission approval would not be required under § 1.948(c)(1), the licensee must file notification of the assignment with the Commission, using FCC Form 608 and providing any necessary updates of ownership information, within 30 days of its completion. The Commission will place information related to the assignment, whether substantial or pro forma, on public notice.

(j) Transfer of control of a spectrum lessee. The licensee must notify the Commission of any transfer of control of a spectrum lessee before the consummation of the transfer of control, pursuant to the applicable notification procedures of this section. In the case of a non-substantial (pro forma) transfer of control that falls within the class of pro forma transactions for which prior Commission approval would not be required under § 1.948(c)(1), the licensee must file notification of the transfer of control with the Commission, using FCC Form 608 and providing any necessary updates of ownership information, within 30 days of its completion. The Commission will place information related to the transfer of control, whether substantial or pro forma, on public notice.

(k) Revocation or automatic cancellation of a license or a spectrum lessee's operating authority. (1) In the event an authorization held by a licensee that has entered into a spectrum leasing arrangement is revoked or cancelled, the spectrum lessee will be required to terminate its operations no later than the date on which the licensee ceases to have any authority to operate under the license, except as provided in paragraph (j)(2) of this section.

(2) In the event of a license revocation or cancellation, the Commission will consider a request by the spectrum lessee for special temporary authority (see § 1.931) to provide the spectrum lessee with an opportunity to transition its users in order to minimize service disruption to business and other activities.

(3) In the event of a license revocation or cancellation, and the required termination of the spectrum lessee's operations, the former spectrum lessee does not, as a result of its former status, receive any preference over any other party should the spectrum lessee seek to obtain the revoked or cancelled license.

(l) Subleasing. A spectrum lessee may sublease the leased spectrum usage rights subject to the licensee's consent and the licensee's establishment of privity with the spectrum sublessee. The licensee must submit a notification regarding the spectrum subleasing arrangement in accordance with the applicable notification procedures set forth in this section.

(m) Renewal. Although the term of a spectrum manager leasing arrangement may not be longer than the term of a license authorization, a licensee and spectrum lessee that have entered into an arrangement whose term continues to the end of the current term of the license authorization may, contingent on the Commission's grant of the license renewal, renew the spectrum leasing arrangement to extend into the term of the renewed license authorization. The Commission must be notified of the renewal of the spectrum leasing arrangement at the same time that the licensee submits its application for license renewal (see § 1.949). The spectrum lessee may operate under the extended term, without further action by the Commission, until such time as the Commission shall make a final determination with respect to the renewal of the license authorization and the extension of the spectrum leasing arrangement into the term of the renewed license authorization.

(n) Community notification requirement for certain contraband interdiction systems. 10 days prior to deploying a Contraband Interdiction System that prevents communications to or from mobile devices, a lessee must notify the community in which the correctional facility is located. The notification must include a description of what the system is intended to do, the date the system is scheduled to begin operating, and the location of the correctional facility. Notification must be tailored to reach the community immediately adjacent to the correctional facility, including through local television, radio, Internet news sources, or community groups, as may be appropriate. No notification is required, however, for brief tests of a system prior to deployment.

(a) Overview. Under the provisions of this section, a licensee (in any of the included services) and a spectrum lessee may enter into a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement in which the licensee retains de jure control of the license while de facto control of the leased spectrum is transferred to the spectrum lessee for the duration of the spectrum leasing arrangement, subject to prior Commission consent pursuant to the application procedures set forth in this section. A “long-term” de facto transfer leasing arrangement has an individual term, or series of combined terms, of more than one year. The term of a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement may be no longer than the term of the license authorization.

(b) Rights and responsibilities of the licensee. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the licensee is relieved of primary and direct responsibility for ensuring that the spectrum lessee's operations comply with the Communications Act and Commission policies and rules.

(2) The licensee is responsible for its own violations, including those related to its spectrum leasing arrangement with the spectrum lessee, and for ongoing violations or other egregious behavior on the part of the spectrum lessee about which the licensee has knowledge or should have knowledge.

(3) The licensee must retain a copy of the spectrum leasing agreement and make it available upon request by the Commission.

(c) Rights and responsibilities of the spectrum lessee. (1) The spectrum lessee assumes primary responsibility for complying with the Communications Act and applicable Commission policies and rules.

(2) The spectrum lessee is granted an instrument of authorization pertaining to the de facto transfer leasing arrangement that brings it within the scope of the Commission's direct forfeiture provisions under section 503(b) of the Communications Act.

(3) The spectrum lessee is responsible for interacting with the Commission regarding the leased spectrum and for making all related filings (e.g., all applications and notifications, submissions of any materials required to support a required Environmental Assessment, any reports required by Commission rules and applicable to the lessee, information necessary to facilitate international or Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) coordination).

(4) The spectrum lessee is required to maintain accurate information on file pursuant to Commission rules (see § 1.65 of subpart A of this part).

(5) The spectrum lessee must retain a copy of the spectrum leasing agreement and make it available upon request by the Commission.

(d) Applicability of particular service rules and policies. Under a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement, the service rules and policies apply in the following manner to the licensee and spectrum lessee:

(1) Interference-related rules. The interference and radiofrequency (RF) safety rules applicable to use of the spectrum by the licensee as a condition of its license authorization also apply to the use of the spectrum leased by the spectrum lessee.

(2) General eligibility rules. (i) The spectrum lessee must meet the same eligibility and qualification requirements that are applicable to the licensee under its license authorization. A spectrum lessee entering into a spectrum leasing arrangement involving a licensee in the Public Safety Radio Services (see part 90, subpart B and § 90.311(a)(1)(i) of this chapter) is not required to comply with the eligibility requirements pertaining to such a licensee so long as the spectrum lessee is an entity providing communications in support of public safety operations (see § 90.523(b) of this chapter).

(ii) The spectrum lessee must meet applicable foreign ownership eligibility requirements (see sections 310(a), 310(b) of the Communications Act).

(iii) The spectrum lessee must satisfy any qualification requirements, including character qualifications, applicable to the licensee under its license authorization.

(iv) The spectrum lessee must not be a person subject to denial of Federal benefits under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (see § 1.2001 et seq. of subpart P of this part).

(3) Use restrictions. To the extent that the licensee is restricted from using the licensed spectrum to offer particular services under its license authorization, the use restrictions apply to the spectrum lessee as well.

(4) Designated entity/entrepreneur rules. (i) A licensee that holds a license pursuant to small business and/or entrepreneur provisions (see § 1.2110 and § 24.709 of this chapter) and continues to be subject to unjust enrichment requirements (see § 1.2111 and § 24.714 of this chapter) and/or transfer restrictions (see § 24.839 of this chapter) may enter into a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement with any entity under the streamlined processing procedures described in this section, subject to any applicable unjust enrichment payment obligations and/or transfer restrictions (see § 1.2111 and § 24.839 of this chapter).

(ii) A licensee holding a license won in closed bidding (see § 24.709 of this chapter) may, during the first five years of the license term, enter into a spectrum leasing arrangement with an entity not eligible to hold such a license pursuant to the requirements of § 24.709(a) of this chapter so long as it has met its five-year construction requirement (see §§ 24.203, 24.839(a)(6) of this chapter).

(iii) The amount of any unjust enrichment payment will be determined by the Commission as part of its review of the application under the same rules that apply in the context of a license assignment or transfer of control (see § 1.2111 and § 24.714 of this chapter). If the spectrum leasing arrangement involves only part of the license area and/or part of the bandwidth covered by the license, the unjust enrichment obligation will be apportioned as though the license were being partitioned and/or disaggregated (see § 1.2111(c) and § 24.714(c) of this chapter). A licensee will receive no reduction in its unjust enrichment payment obligation for a spectrum leasing arrangement that ends prior to the end of the fifth year of the license term.

(iv) A licensee that participates in the Commission's installment payment program (see § 1.2110(g)) may enter into a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement without triggering unjust enrichment obligations provided that the lessee would qualify for as favorable a category of installment payments. A licensee using installment payment financing that seeks to lease to an entity not meeting the eligibility standards for as favorable a category of installment payments must make full payment of the remaining unpaid principal and any unpaid interest accrued through the effective date of the spectrum leasing arrangement (see § 1.2111(a)). This requirement applies regardless of whether the licensee is leasing all or a portion of its bandwidth and/or license area.

(5) Construction/performance requirements. Any performance or build-out requirement applicable under a license authorization (e.g., a requirement that the licensee construct and operate one or more specific facilities, cover a certain percentage of geographic area, cover a certain percentage of population, or provide substantial service) always remains a condition of the license, and the legal responsibility for meeting such obligation is not delegable to the spectrum lessee(s).

(i) The licensee may attribute to itself the build-out or performance activities of its spectrum lessee(s) for purposes of complying with any applicable build-out or performance requirement.

(ii) If a licensee relies on the activities of a spectrum lessee to meet the licensee's performance or build-out obligation, and the spectrum lessee fails to engage in those activities, the Commission will enforce the applicable performance or build-out requirements against the licensee, consistent with the applicable rules.

(iii) If there are rules applicable to the license concerning the discontinuance of operation, the licensee is accountable for any such discontinuance and the rules will be enforced against the licensee regardless of whether the licensee was relying on the activities of a lessee to meet particular performance requirements.

(6) Regulatory classification. If the regulatory status of the licensee (e.g., common carrier or non-common carrier status) is prescribed by rule, the regulatory status of the spectrum lessee is prescribed in the same manner, except that § 20.9(a) of this chapter shall not preclude a licensee in the services covered by that rule from entering into a spectrum leasing arrangement with a spectrum lessee that chooses to operate on a PMRS, private, or non-commercial basis.

(7) Regulatory fees. The licensee remains responsible for payment of the required regulatory fees that must be paid in advance of its license term (see § 1.1152). Where, however, regulatory fees are paid annually on a per-unit basis (such as for CMRS services pursuant to § 1.1152), the licensee and spectrum lessee each are required to pay fees for those units associated with its respective operations.

(8) E911 requirements. To the extent the licensee is required to meet E911 obligations (see § 9.10 of this chapter), the spectrum lessee is required to meet those obligations with respect to the spectrum leased under the spectrum leasing arrangement insofar as the spectrum lessee's operations are encompassed within the E911 obligations. If the spectrum lessee is a Contraband Interdiction System (CIS) provider, as defined in § 1.9003, then the CIS provider is responsible for compliance with § 9.10(r) regarding E911 transmission obligations.

(e) Applications for long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements. Applications for long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements will be processed either pursuant to the general approval procedures or the immediate approval procedures, as discussed herein. Spectrum leasing parties must submit the application by electronic filing using ULS and FCC Form 608, and obtain Commission consent prior to consummating the transfer of de facto control of the leased spectrum, except that parties falling within the provisions of § 1.913(d) may file the application either electronically or manually.

(1) General approval procedures. Applications for long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements will be processed pursuant to the general approval procedures set forth in this paragraph unless they are submitted and qualify for the immediate approval procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.

(i) To be accepted for filing under these general approval procedures, the application must be sufficiently complete and contain all information and certifications requested on the applicable form, FCC Form 608, including any information and certifications (including those of the spectrum lessee relating to eligibility, basic qualifications, and foreign ownership) required by the rules in this chapter and any rules pertaining to the specific service for which the application is filed. In addition, the spectrum leasing application must include payment of the required application fee(s); for purposes of determining the applicable application fee(s), the application will be treated as a transfer of control (see § 1.1102).

(ii) Once accepted for filing, the application will be placed on public notice, except no prior public notice will be required for applications involving authorizations in the Private Wireless Services, as specified in § 1.933(d)(9).

(iii) Petitions to deny filed in accordance with section 309(d) of the Communications Act must comply with the provisions of § 1.939, except that such petitions must be filed no later than 14 days following the date of the public notice listing the application as accepted for filing.

(iv) No later than 21 days following the date of the public notice listing an application as accepted for filing, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) will affirmatively consent to the application, deny the application, or determine to subject the application to further review. For applications for which no prior public notice is required, the Bureau will affirmatively consent to the application, deny the application, or determine to subject the application to further review no later than 21 days following the date on which the application has been filed and any required application fee has been paid (see § 1.1102).

(v) If the Bureau determines to subject the application to further review, it will issue a public notice so indicating. Within 90 days following the date of that public notice, the Bureau will either take action upon the application or provide public notice that an additional 90-day period for review is needed.

(vi) Consent to the application is not deemed granted until the Bureau affirmatively acts upon the application.

(vii) Grant of consent to the application will be reflected in a public notice (see § 1.933(a)) promptly issued after the grant, and is subject to reconsideration (see §§ 1.106(f), 1.108, 1.113).

(viii) If any petition to deny is filed, and the Bureau grants the application, the Bureau will deny the petition(s) and issue a concise statement of the reason(s) for denial, disposing of all substantive issues raised in the petition(s).

(2) Immediate approval procedures. Applications that meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, and applications for Contraband Interdiction Systems as defined in § 1.9003 that meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section, qualify for the immediate approval procedures.

(i) To qualify for the immediate approval procedures, the application must be sufficiently complete, contain all necessary information and certifications (including those relating to eligibility, basic qualifications, and foreign ownership), and include payment of the requisite application fee(s), as required for an application processed under the general approval procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, and also must establish, through certifications, that the following additional qualifications are met:

(A) The license does not involve spectrum licensed in a Wireless Radio Service that may be used to provide interconnected mobile voice and/or data services under the applicable service rules and that would, if the spectrum leasing arrangement were consummated, create a geographic overlap with spectrum in any licensed Wireless Service (including the same service) in which the proposed spectrum lessee already holds a direct or indirect interest of 10% or more (see § 1.2112), either as a licensee or a spectrum lessee, and that could be used by the spectrum lessee to provide interconnected mobile voice and/or data services;

(B) The licensee is not a designated entity or entrepreneur subject to unjust enrichment requirements and/or transfer restrictions under applicable Commission rules (see §§ 1.2110 and 1.2111, and §§ 24.709, 24.714, and 24.839 of this chapter);

(C) The spectrum leasing arrangement does not require a waiver of, or declaratory ruling pertaining to, any applicable Commission rules; and

(D) The application does not involve a transaction in the Enhanced Competition Incentive Program (see subpart EE of this part).

(ii) A lessee of spectrum used in a Contraband Interdiction System qualifies for these immediate approval procedures if the application is sufficiently complete and contains all necessary information and certifications (including those relating to eligibility, basic qualifications, and foreign ownership) required for applications processed under the general application procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, and must not require a waiver of, or declaratory ruling pertaining to, any applicable Commission rules.

(iii) Provided that the application establishes that it meets all of the requisite elements to qualify for these immediate approval procedures, consent to the de facto transfer spectrum leasing arrangement will be reflected in ULS. If the application is filed electronically, consent will be reflected in ULS on the next business day after filing of the application; if filed manually, consent will be reflected in ULS on the next business day after the necessary data from the manually filed application is entered into ULS. Consent to the application is not deemed granted until the Bureau affirmatively acts upon the application, as reflected in ULS.

(iv) Grant of consent to the application under these immediate approval procedures will be reflected in a public notice (see § 1.933(a)) promptly issued after grant, and is subject to reconsideration (see §§ 1.106(f), 1.108, 1.113).

(f) Effective date of a de facto transfer leasing arrangement. If the Commission consents to the de facto transfer leasing arrangement, the de facto transfer leasing arrangement will be deemed effective in the Commission's records, and for purposes of the application of the rules set forth in this section, on the date set forth in the application. If the Commission consents to the arrangement after that specified date, the spectrum leasing application will become effective on the date of the Commission affirmative consent.

(g) Expiration, extension, or termination of spectrum leasing arrangement. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(2) or (g)(3) of this section, a spectrum leasing arrangement entered into pursuant to this section will expire on the termination date set forth in the application. The Commission's consent to the de facto transfer leasing application includes consent to return the leased spectrum to the licensee at the end of the term of the spectrum leasing arrangement.

(2) A spectrum leasing arrangement may be extended beyond the initial term set forth in the spectrum leasing application pursuant to the applicable application procedures set forth in § 1.9030(e). Where there is pending before the Commission at the date of termination of the spectrum leasing arrangement a proper and timely application seeking to extend the arrangement, the parties may continue to operate under the original spectrum leasing arrangement without further action by the Commission until such time as the Commission shall make a final determination with respect to the application.

(3) If a spectrum leasing arrangement is terminated earlier than the termination date set forth in the notification, either by the licensee or by the parties' mutual agreement, the licensee must file a notification with the Commission, no later than ten (10) days after the early termination, indicating the date of the termination. If the parties fail to put the spectrum leasing arrangement into effect, they must so notify the Commission consistent with the provisions of this section.

(4) The Commission will place information concerning an extension or an early termination of a spectrum leasing arrangement on public notice.

(h) Assignment of spectrum leasing arrangement. The spectrum lessee may assign its lease to another entity provided that the licensee has agreed to such an assignment, there is privity between the licensee and the assignee, and the assignment is approved by the Commission pursuant to the same application and approval procedures set forth in this section. In the case of a non-substantial (pro forma) assignment that falls within the class of pro forma transactions for which prior Commission approval would not be required under § 1.948(c)(1), the parties involved in the assignment must file notification of the assignment with the Commission, using FCC Form 608 and providing any necessary updates of ownership information, within 30 days of its completion. The Commission will place information related to the assignment, whether substantial or pro forma, on public notice.

(i) Transfer of control of a spectrum lessee. A spectrum lessee seeking the transfer of control must obtain Commission consent using the same application and Commission consent procedures set forth in this section. In the case of a non-substantial (pro forma) transfer of control that falls within the class of pro forma transactions for which prior Commission approval would not be required under § 1.948(c)(1), the parties involved in the transfer of control must file notification of the transfer of control with the Commission, using FCC Form 608 and providing any necessary updates of ownership information, within 30 days of its completion. The Commission will place information related to the transfer of control, whether substantial or pro forma, on public notice.

(j) Revocation or automatic cancellation of a license or the spectrum lessee's operating authority. (1) In the event an authorization held by a licensee that has entered into a spectrum leasing arrangement is revoked or cancelled, the spectrum lessee will be required to terminate its operations no later than the date on which the licensee ceases to have authority to operate under the license, except as provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this section.

(2) In the event of a license revocation or cancellation, the Commission will consider a request by the spectrum lessee for special temporary authority (see § 1.931) to provide the spectrum lessee with an opportunity to transition its users in order to minimize service disruption to business and other activities.

(3) In the event of a license revocation or cancellation, and the required termination of the spectrum lessee's operations, the former spectrum lessee does not, as a result of its former status, receive any preference over any other party should the spectrum lessee seek to obtain the revoked or cancelled license.

(k) Subleasing. A spectrum lessee may sublease spectrum usage rights subject to the following conditions. Parties entering into a spectrum subleasing arrangement are required to comply with the Commission's rules for obtaining approval for spectrum leasing arrangements provided in this subpart and are governed by those same policies. The application filed by parties to a spectrum subleasing arrangement must include written consent from the licensee to the proposed arrangement. Once a spectrum subleasing arrangement has been approved by the Commission, the sublessee becomes the party primarily responsible for compliance with Commission rules and policies.

(l) Renewal. Although the term of a long-term de facto transfer spectrum leasing arrangement may not be longer than the term of a license authorization, a licensee and spectrum lessee that have entered into an arrangement whose term continues to the end of the current term of the license authorization may, contingent on the Commission's grant of the license renewal, extend the spectrum leasing arrangement into the term of the renewed license authorization. The Commission must be notified of the renewal of the spectrum leasing arrangement at the same time that the licensee submits its application for license renewal (see § 1.949). The spectrum lessee may operate under the extended term, without further action by the Commission, until such time as the Commission shall make a final determination with respect to the renewal of the license authorization and the extension of the spectrum leasing arrangement into the term of the renewed license authorization.

(m) Community notification requirement for certain contraband interdiction systems. 10 days prior to deploying a Contraband Interdiction System that prevents communications to or from mobile devices, a lessee must notify the community in which the correctional facility is located. The notification must include a description of what the system is intended to do, the date the system is scheduled to begin operating, and the location of the correctional facility. Notification must be tailored to reach the community immediately adjacent to the correctional facility, including through local television, radio, Internet news sources, or community groups, as may be appropriate. No notification is required, however, for brief tests of a system prior to deployment.

(a) Overview. Under the provisions of this section, a licensee (in any of the included services) and a spectrum lessee may enter into a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement in which the licensee retains de jure control of the license while de facto control of the leased spectrum is transferred to the spectrum lessee for the duration of the spectrum leasing arrangement, subject to prior Commission consent pursuant to the application procedures set forth in this section. A “short-term” de facto transfer leasing arrangement has an individual or combined term of not longer than one year. The term of a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement may be no longer than the term of the license authorization.

(b) Rights and responsibilities of licensee. The rights and responsibilities applicable to a licensee that enters into a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement are the same as those applicable to a licensee that enters into a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement, as set forth in § 1.9030(b).

(c) Rights and responsibilities of spectrum lessee. The rights and responsibilities applicable to a spectrum lessee that enters into a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement are the same as those applicable to a spectrum lessee that enters into a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement, as set forth in § 1.9030(c).

(d) Applicability of particular service rules and policies. Under a short-term de facto leasing arrangement, the service rules and policies apply to the licensee and spectrum lessee in the same manner as under long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements (see § 1.9030(d)), except as provided herein:

(1) Use restrictions and regulatory classification. Use restrictions applicable to the licensee also apply to the spectrum lessee except that § 20.9(a) of this chapter shall not preclude a licensee in the services covered by that rule from entering into a spectrum leasing arrangement with a spectrum lessee that chooses to operate on a PMRS, private, or non-commercial basis, and except that a licensee with an authorization that restricts use of spectrum to non-commercial uses may enter into a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement that allows the spectrum lessee to use the spectrum commercially.

(2) Designated entity/entrepreneur rules. Unjust enrichment provisions (see § 1.2111) and transfer restrictions (see § 24.839 of this chapter) do not apply with regard to a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement.

(3) Construction/performance requirements. The licensee is not permitted to attribute to itself the activities of its spectrum lessee when seeking to establish that performance or build-out requirements applicable to the licensee have been met.

(4) E911 requirements. If E911 obligations apply to the licensee (see § 9.10 of this chapter), the licensee retains the obligations with respect to leased spectrum. A spectrum lessee entering into a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement is not separately required to comply with any such obligations in relation to the leased spectrum. However, if the spectrum lessee is a Contraband Interdiction System (CIS) provider, as defined in § 1.9003, then the CIS provider is responsible for compliance with § 9.10(r) regarding E911 transmission obligations.

(e) Spectrum leasing application. Short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements will be processed pursuant to immediate approval procedures, as discussed herein. Parties entering into a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement are required to file an electronic application with the Commission, using FCC Form 608, and obtain Commission consent prior to consummating the transfer of de facto control of the leased spectrum, except that parties falling within the provisions of § 1.913(d) may file the application either electronically or manually.

(1) To be accepted for filing under these immediate approval procedures, the application must be sufficiently complete and contain all information and certifications requested on the applicable form, FCC Form 608, including any information and certifications (including those relating to the spectrum lessee relating to eligibility, basic qualifications, and foreign ownership) required by the rules of this chapter and any rules pertaining to the specific service for which the application is required. In addition, the application must include payment of the required application fee; for purposes of determining the applicable application fee, the application will be treated as a transfer of control (see § 1.1102). Finally, the spectrum leasing arrangement must not require a waiver of, or declaratory ruling, pertaining to any applicable Commission rules.

(2) Provided that the application establishes that it meets all of the requisite elements to qualify for these immediate approval procedures, consent to the short-term de facto transfer spectrum leasing arrangement will be reflected in ULS. If the application is filed electronically, consent will be reflected in ULS on the next business day after filing of the application; if filed manually, consent will be reflected in ULS on the next business day after the necessary data from the manually filed application is entered into ULS. Consent to the application is not deemed granted until the Bureau affirmatively acts upon the application, as reflected in ULS.

(3) Grant of consent to the application under these procedures will be reflected in a public notice (see § 1.933(a)) promptly issued after grant, and is subject to reconsideration (see §§ 1.106(f), 1.108, 1.113).

(f) Effective date of spectrum leasing arrangement. The spectrum leasing arrangement will be deemed effective in the Commission's records, and for purposes of the application of the rules set forth in this section, on the date set forth in the application. If the Commission consents to the arrangement after that specified date, the spectrum leasing application will become effective on the date of the Commission affirmative consent.

(g) Restrictions on the use of short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements. (1) The licensee and spectrum lessee are not permitted to use the special rules and expedited procedures applicable to short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements for arrangements that in fact will exceed one year, or that the parties reasonably expect to exceed one year.

(2) The licensee and spectrum lessee must submit, in sufficient time prior to the expiration of the short-term de facto transfer spectrum leasing arrangement, the appropriate application under the rules and procedures applicable to long-term de facto leasing arrangements, and obtain Commission consent pursuant to those procedures.

(h) Expiration, extension, or termination of the spectrum leasing arrangement. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (h)(2) or (h)(3) of this section, a spectrum leasing arrangement entered into pursuant to this section will expire on the termination date set forth in the short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement. The Commission's approval of the short-term de facto transfer leasing application includes consent to return the leased spectrum to the licensee at the end of the term of the spectrum leasing arrangement.

(2) Upon proper application (see paragraph (e) of this section), a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement may be extended beyond the initial term set forth in the application provided that the initial term and extension(s) together would not result in a leasing arrangement that exceeds a total of one year.

(3) If a spectrum leasing arrangement is terminated earlier than the termination date set forth in the notification, either by the licensee or by the parties' mutual agreement, the licensee must file a notification with the Commission, no later than ten (10) days after the early termination, indicating the date of the termination. If the parties fail to put the spectrum leasing arrangement into effect, they must so notify the Commission consistent with the provisions of this section.

(i) Conversion of a short-term spectrum leasing arrangement into a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement. (1) In the event the licensee and spectrum lessee involved in a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement seek to extend the spectrum leasing arrangement beyond the one-year limit for short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements, the parties may do so provided that they meet the conditions set forth in paragraphs (i)(2) and (i)(3) of this section.

(2) If a licensee that holds a license that continues to be subject to transfer restrictions and/or requirements relating to unjust enrichment pursuant to the Commission's small business and/or entrepreneur provisions (see § 1.2110 and § 24.709 of this chapter) seeks to extend a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement with its spectrum lessee (or related entities, as determined pursuant to § 1.2110(b)(2)) beyond one year, it may convert its arrangement into a long-term de facto transfer spectrum leasing arrangement provided that it complies with the procedures for entering into a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement and that it pays any unjust enrichment that would have been owed had the licensee filed a long-term de facto transfer spectrum leasing application at the time it applied for the initial short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement.

(3) The licensee and spectrum lessee are not permitted to convert a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement into a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement if the parties would have been restricted, in the first instance, from entering into a long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement because of a transfer, use, or other restriction applicable to the particular service (see § 1.9030).

(j) Assignment of spectrum leasing arrangement. The rule applicable to long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements (see § 1.9030(g)) applies in the same manner to short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements.

(k) Transfer of control of spectrum lessee. The rule applicable to long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements (see § 1.9030(h)) applies in the same manner to short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements.

(l) Revocation or automatic cancellation of a license or the spectrum lessee's operating authority. The rule applicable to long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements (see § 1.9030(i)) applies in the same manner to short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements.

(m) Subleasing. A spectrum lessee that has entered into a short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement is not permitted to enter into a spectrum subleasing arrangement.

(n) Renewal. The rule applicable with regard to long-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements (see § 1.9030(l)) applies in the same manner to short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements, except that the renewal of the short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangement to extend into the term of the renewed license authorization cannot enable the combined terms of the short-term de facto transfer leasing arrangements to exceed one year. The Commission must be notified of the renewal of the spectrum leasing arrangement at the same time that the licensee submits its application for license renewal (see § 1.949).

(o) Community notification requirement for certain contraband interdiction systems. 10 days prior to deploying a Contraband Interdiction System that prevents communications to or from mobile devices, a lessee must notify the community in which the correctional facility is located. The notification must include a description of what the system is intended to do, the date the system is scheduled to begin operating, and the location of the correctional facility. Notification must be tailored to reach the community immediately adjacent to the correctional facility, including through local television, radio, Internet news sources, or community groups, as may be appropriate. No notification is required, however, for brief tests of a system prior to deployment.

(a) Agreements between licensees and spectrum lessees concerning spectrum leasing arrangements entered into pursuant to the rules of this subpart must contain the following provisions:

(1) The spectrum lessee must comply at all times with applicable rules set forth in this chapter and other applicable law, and the spectrum leasing arrangement may be revoked, cancelled, or terminated by the licensee or Commission if the spectrum lessee fails to comply with the applicable requirements;

(2) If the license is revoked, cancelled, terminated, or otherwise ceases to be in effect, the spectrum lessee has no continuing authority or right to use the leased spectrum unless otherwise authorized by the Commission;

(3) The spectrum leasing arrangement is not an assignment, sale, or transfer of the license itself;

(4) The spectrum leasing arrangement shall not be assigned to any entity that is ineligible or unqualified to enter into a spectrum leasing arrangement under the applicable rules as set forth in this subpart;

(5) The licensee shall not consent to an assignment of a spectrum leasing arrangement unless such assignment complies with applicable Commission rules and regulations.

(b) Agreements between licensees that hold licenses subject to the Commission's installment payment program (see § 1.2110 of subpart Q of this part and related service-specific rules) and spectrum lesseeys must contain the following additional provisions:

(1) The express acknowledgement that the license remains subject to the Commission's priority lien and security interest in the license and related proceeds, consistent with the provisions set forth in § 1.9045; and

(2) The agreement that the spectrum lessee shall not hold itself out to the public as the holder of the license and shall not hold itself out as a licensee by virtue of its having entered into a spectrum leasing arrangement.

(a) If a licensee that holds a license subject to the Commission's installment payment program (see § 1.2110 of subpart Q of this part and related service-specific rules) enters into a spectrum leasing arrangement pursuant to the rules in this subpart, the licensee remains fully and solely responsible for the outstanding debt amount owed to the Commission. Nothing in a spectrum leasing arrangement, or arising from a spectrum lessee's bankruptcy or receivership, can modify the licensee's sole responsibility for its obligation to repay its entire debt obligation under the installment payment program pursuant to applicable Commission rules and regulations and the associated note(s) and security agreement(s).

(b) If a licensee holds a license subject to the installment payment program rules (see § 1.2110 and related service-specific rules), the licensee and any spectrum lessee must execute the Commission-approved financing documents. No licensee or potential spectrum lessee may file a spectrum leasing notification or application without having first executed such Commission-approved financing documentation. In addition, they must certify in the spectrum leasing notification or application that they have both executed such documentation.

(a) Scope. Subject to § 96.32 of this chapter, a Priority Access Licensee, as defined in § 96.3 of this chapter, is permitted to engage in spectrum manager leasing for any portion of its spectrum or geographic area, outside of the PAL Protection Area, for any bandwidth or duration period of time within the terms of the license with any entity that has provided a certification to the Commission in accordance with this section or pursuant to the general notification procedures of § 1.9020(e).

(b) Certification. The lessee seeking to engage in spectrum manager leasing pursuant to this section must certify with the Commission that it meets the same eligibility and qualification requirements applicable to the licensee before entering into a spectrum manger leasing arrangement with a Priority Access Licensee, as defined in § 96.3 of this chapter and maintain the accuracy of such certifications.

(1) Priority Access Licensees, as defined in § 96.3 of this chapter, are deemed to meet the certification requirements.

(2) Entities may also certify by using the Universal Licensing System and FCC Form 608.

(c) Notifications regarding spectrum manager leasing arrangements. Prior to lessee operation, the licensee seeking to engage in spectrum manager leasing pursuant to § 1.9020(e) must submit notification of the leasing arrangement to the Spectrum Access System Administrator, as defined in § 96.3 of this chapter, by electronic filing. The notification shall include the following information:

(1) Lessee contact information including name, address, telephone number, fax number, email address;

(2) Lessee FCC Registration Number (FRN);

(3) Name of Real Party in Interest and related FCC Registration Number (FRN);

(4) The specific spectrum leased (in terms of amount of bandwidth and geographic area involved) including the call sign(s) affected by the lease; and

(5) The duration of the lease.

(d) Expiration, extension, or termination of a spectrum leasing arrangement. (1) Absent Commission termination or except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) or (3) of this section, a spectrum leasing arrangement entered into pursuant to this section will expire on the termination date set forth in the spectrum leasing notification.

(2) A spectrum leasing arrangement may be extended beyond the initial term set forth in the spectrum leasing notification for an additional period not to exceed the term of the Priority Access License, as defined in § 96.3 of this chapter, provided that the licensee notifies the Spectrum Access System Administrator, as defined in § 96.3 of this chapter, of the extension in advance of operation under the extended term and does so pursuant to the notification procedures in this section.

(3) If a spectrum leasing arrangement is terminated earlier than the termination date set forth in the notification, either by the licensee or by the parties' mutual agreement, the licensee must file a notification with the Spectrum Access System Administrator, no later than ten (10) days after the early termination, indicating the date of the termination. If the parties fail to put the spectrum leasing arrangement into effect, they must so notify the Spectrum Access System Administrator as promptly as practicable.

(e) The Commission will place information concerning the commencement, an extension or an early termination of a spectrum leasing arrangement on public notice.

Licensees in the Public Safety Radio Services (see part 90, subpart B, and § 90.311(a)(1)(i) of this chapter) may enter into spectrum leasing arrangements with other public safety entities eligible for such a license authorization as well as with entities providing communications in support of public safety operations (see § 90.523(b) of this chapter).

(a) A license issued under part 25 of the Commission's rules that provides authority for an ATC will be considered to provide “exclusive use rights” for purpose of this subpart of the rules.

(b) For the purpose of this subpart, a Mobile Satellite Service licensee with an ATC authorization may enter into a spectrum manager leasing arrangement with a spectrum lessee (see § 1.9020). Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 1.9030 and 1.9035, a MSS licensee is not permitted to enter into a de facto transfer leasing arrangement with a spectrum lessee.

(c) For purposes of § 1.9020(d)(8), the Mobile Satellite Service licensee's obligation, if any, concerning the E911 requirements in § 9.10 of this chapter, will, with respect to an ATC, be specified in the licensing document for the ATC.

(d) The following provision shall apply, in lieu of § 1.9020(m), with respect to spectrum leasing of an ATC:

(1) Although the term of a spectrum manager leasing arrangement may not be longer than the term of the ATC license, a licensee and spectrum lessee that have entered into an arrangement, the term of which continues to the end of the current term of the license may, contingent on the Commission's grant of a modification or renewal of the license to extend the license term, extend the spectrum leasing arrangement into the new license term. The Commission must be notified of the extension of the spectrum leasing arrangement at the same time that the licensee submits the application seeking an extended license term. In the event the parties to the arrangement agree to extend it into the new license term, the spectrum lessee may continue to operate consistent with the terms and conditions of the expired license, without further action by the Commission, until such time as the Commission makes a final determination with respect to the extension or renewal of the license.

(2) Reserved.

Under the rules set forth in this subpart, certain notifications and applications to the Commission must be filed by licensees and spectrum lessees that enter into spectrum leasing arrangements. In addition, the rules require that certain notifications and applications be filed by the licensee and/or the spectrum lessee after they have entered into such arrangements. Whether the signature of the licensee, the spectrum lessee, or both, is required will depend on the particular notification or application involved, and whether the leasing arrangement concerns a spectrum manager leasing arrangement or a de facto transfer leasing arrangement.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the notifications, applications, amendments, and related statements of fact required by the Commission (including certifications) must be signed as follows (either electronically or manually, see paragraph (d) of this section):

(1) By the licensee or spectrum lessee, if an individual;

(2) By one of the partners if the licensee or lessee is a partnership;

(3) By an officer, director, or duly authorized employee, if the licensee or lessee is a corporation; or

(4) By a member who is an officer, if the licensee or lessee is an unincorporated association.

(b) Notifications, applications, amendments, and related statements of fact required by the Commission may be signed by the licensee or spectrum lessee's attorney in case of the licensee's or lessee's physical disability or absence from the United States. The attorney shall, when applicable, separately set forth the reason why the application is not signed by the licensee or lessee. In addition, if any matter is stated on the basis of the attorney's belief only (rather than knowledge), the attorney shall separately set forth the reasons for believing that such statements are true. Only the original of notifications, applications, amendments, and related statements of fact need be signed.

(c) Notifications, applications, amendments, and related statements of fact need not be signed under oath. Willful false statements made therein, however, are punishable by fine and imprisonment (see 18 U.S.C. section 1001), and by appropriate administrative sanctions, including revocation of license pursuant to section 312(a)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 or revocation of the spectrum leasing arrangement.

(d) “Signed,” as used in this section, means, for manually filed notifications and applications only, an original hand-written signature or, for electronically filed notifications and applications only, an electronic signature. An electronic signature shall consist of the name of the licensee or spectrum lessee transmitted electronically via ULS and entered on the application as a signature.

Spectrum leasing notifications or applications submitted pursuant to the rules of this subpart are assigned file numbers and service codes in order to facilitate processing in the manner in which applications in subpart F are assigned file numbers (see § 1.926 of subpart F of this part).

(a) Notifications and applications regarding spectrum leasing arrangements may be amended in accordance with the policies, procedures, and standards applicable to applications as set forth in subpart F of this part (see §§ 1.927 and 1.929 of subpart F of this part).

(b) The Commission may waive specific requirements of the rules affecting spectrum leasing arrangements and the use of leased spectrum, on its own motion or upon request, in accordance with the policies, procedures, and standards set forth in subpart F of this part (see § 1.925 of subpart F of this part).

(c) Notifications and pending applications regarding spectrum leasing arrangements may be dismissed in accordance with the policies, procedures, and standards applicable to applications as set forth in subpart F of this part (see § 1.935 of subpart F of this part).

(a) Overview. A “private commons” arrangement is an arrangement, distinct from a spectrum leasing arrangement but permitted in the same services for which spectrum leasing arrangements are allowed, in which a licensee or spectrum lessee makes certain spectrum usage rights under a particular license authorization available to a class of third-party users employing advanced communications technologies that involve peer-to-peer (device-to-device) communications and that do not involve use of the licensee's or spectrum lessee's end-to-end physical network infrastructure (e.g., base stations, mobile stations, or other related elements). In a private commons arrangement, the licensee or spectrum lessee authorizes users of certain communications devices employing particular technical parameters, as specified by the licensee or spectrum lessee, to operate under the license authorization. A private commons arrangement differs from a spectrum leasing arrangement in that, unlike spectrum leasing arrangements, a private commons arrangement does not involve individually negotiated spectrum access rights with entities that seek to provide network-based services to end-users. A private commons arrangement does not affect unlicensed operations in a particular licensed band to the extent that they are permitted pursuant to part 15.

(b) Licensee/spectrum lessee responsibilities. As the manager of any private commons, the licensee or spectrum lessee:

(1) Establishes the technical and operating terms and conditions of use by users of the private commons, including those relating to the types of communications devices that may be used within the private commons, consistent with the terms and conditions of the underlying license authorization;

(2) Retains de facto control of the use of spectrum by users within the private commons, including maintaining reasonable oversight over the users' use of the spectrum in the private commons so as to ensure that the use of the spectrum, and communications equipment employed, comply with all applicable technical and service rules (including requirements relating to radiofrequency radiation) and maintaining the ability to ensure such compliance; and,

(3) Retains direct responsibility for ensuring that the users of the private commons, and the equipment employed, comply with all applicable technical and service rules, including requirements relating to radiofrequency radiation and requirements relating to interference.

(c) Notification requirements. Prior to permitting users to commence operations within a private commons, the licensee or spectrum lessee must notify the Commission, using FCC Form 608, that it is establishing a private commons arrangement. This notification must include information that describes: the location(s) or coverage area(s) of the private commons under the license authorization; the term of the arrangement; the general terms and conditions for users that would be gaining spectrum access to the private commons; the technical requirements and equipment that the licensee or spectrum lessee has approved for use within the private commons; and, the types of communications uses that are to be allowed within the private commons.