2 September 1999 Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: August 31, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 168)] [Notices] [Page 47489-47490] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr31au99-65] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Global Positioning System (GPS) Spectrum Protection Report to Congress AGENCY: Department of Defense. ACTION: Notice of request for comments on Global Positioning system (GPS) spectrum report to Congress. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: An interagency working group chaired by the Department of Defense requests comments and recommendations from industry and end users relating to the development of a report to Congress addressing the national strategy for protection of the radionavigation spectrum used by GPS. All persons and firms having relevant views on this subject are invited to reply through the Department of Defense. DATES: Please submit comments by November 1, 1999. ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Office of Space Commercialization, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 4817, Washington, DC 20230. Materials may be faxed to 202-482-5173 or transmitted via email to jkim@ta.doc.gov. Comments can also be sent via the following website URL which will contain a reprint of this RFC: http://www.ta.doc.gov/space.spectrum. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Y. Kim, Policy Analyst, 202-482- 6125. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In order to guard against disruption of GPS services that are vital to the national security and economic interests of the United States, the Department of Defense is preparing a report, at the request of Congress, setting forth a national strategy to: ``(1) protect the integrity of the Global Positioning System frequency spectrum against interference and disruption; (2) achieve full and effective use by GPS of radio frequency spectrum currently allocated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for transmission of satellite navigation signals; and (3) provide for any additional allocation of spectrum necessary for GPS evolution.'' The report is required under Section 8137 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 1999. The Government is issuing this public Request for Comments in the hope of developing an appropriate overall national strategy that incorporates and reflects the important interests of the industry and end users. For the purposes of this RFC, all commercial, terrestrial, and space-based radionavigation and radio communication users and ventures are invited to participate, including, but not limited to, GPS equipment manufactures, satellite manufactures, users of GPS equipment and services. In addition, we seek comment from any entity that (1) uses or has an interest in the protection of the radionavigation spectrum used by GPS in general, or (2) has an interest in other spectrum bands on which the services may be required to configure their operations to accommodate provision of GPS. Responses to this RFC should include any plans for collection and analysis of test and demonstration data, and recommendations for additional filings for both space-based and ground-based services, as appropriate, to meet civil safety-of-life applications within existing international spectrum bands allocated for radionavigation satellite operations. An interagency working group chaired by the Department of Defense and including participants from the Department of Commerce (which includes the National Department of Commerce (which includes the National Telecommunications and Information Administration), Department of State, Department of Transportation, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration will review all replies. [[Page 47490]] The staff of the Federal Communications Commission will provide technical assistance in the preparation of this report. A single hardcopy and softcopy is requested for all submittals. Appropriately labeled competition-sensitive or proprietary data will be protected as required. This is not a request for proposal and it shall not be construed as a commitment by the government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Dated: August 25, 1999. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 99-22566 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-10-M