Sec.  0.131   Functions of the Bureau.

   The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau develops, recommends and administers
   the programs and policies for the regulation of the terms and conditions
   under   which   communications   entities   offer   domestic  wireless
   telecommunications services and of ancillary operations related to the
   provision  of such services (satellite communications excluded). These
   functions include all wireless telecommunications service providers' and
   licensees' activities. The Bureau also performs the following specific
   functions:

   (a) Advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for the
   Commission under delegated authority, in all matters pertaining to the
   licensing and regulation of wireless telecommunications, including ancillary
   operations related to the provision or use of such services; and any matters
   concerning  wireless  carriers  that  also affect wireline carriers in
   cooperation with the Wireline Competition Bureau. These activities include:
   policy development and coordination; conducting rulemaking and adjudicatory
   proceedings, including licensing and complaint proceedings for matters not
   within the responsibility of the Enforcement Bureau; acting on waivers of
   rules; acting on applications for service and facility authorizations;
   compliance  and  enforcement  activities  for  matters  not within the
   responsibility of the Enforcement Bureau; determining resource impacts of
   existing, planned or recommended Commission activities concerning wireless
   telecommunications, and developing and recommending resource deployment
   priorities.

   (b) Develops and recommends policy goals, objectives, programs and plans for
   the Commission on matters concerning wireless telecommunications, drawing
   upon relevant economic, technological, legislative, regulatory and judicial
   information and developments. Such matters include meeting the present and
   future wireless telecommunications needs of the Nation; fostering economic
   growth by promoting efficiency and innovation in the allocation, licensing
   and use of the electromagnetic spectrum; ensuring choice, opportunity and
   fairness in the development of wireless telecommunications services and
   markets;  promoting  economically  efficient  investment  in  wireless
   telecommunications  infrastructure  and  the  integration  of wireless
   communications networks into the public telecommunications network; enabling
   access to national communications services; promoting the development and
   widespread availability of wireless telecommunications services. Reviews and
   coordinates orders, programs and actions initiated by other Bureaus and
   Offices  in  matters  affecting  wireless telecommunications to ensure
   consistency of overall Commission policy.

   (c) Serves as the Commission's principal policy and administrative staff
   resource  with regard to spectrum auctions. Administers all Commission
   spectrum auctions. Develops, recommends and administers policies, programs
   and rules concerning auctions of spectrum for wireless telecommunications.
   Advises the Commission on policy, engineering and technical matters relating
   to auctions of spectrum used for other purposes. Administers procurement of
   auction-related  services  from  outside contractors. Provides policy,
   administrative and technical assistance to other Bureaus and Offices on
   auction issues.

   (d) Regulates the charges, practices, classifications, terms and conditions
   for, and facilities used to provide, wireless telecommunications services.
   Develops and recommends consistent, integrated policies, programs and rules
   for the regulation of commercial mobile radio services and private mobile
   radio services.

   (e) Develops and recommends policy, rules, standards, procedures and forms
   for  the  authorization  and regulation of wireless telecommunications
   facilities and services, including all facility authorization applications
   involving domestic terrestrial transmission facilities. Coordinates with and
   assists  the  International  Bureau  regarding  frequency  assignment,
   coordination and interference matters.

   (f) Develops and recommends responses to legislative, regulatory or judicial
   inquiries and proposals concerning or affecting wireless telecommunications.

   (g)  Develops  and recommends policies regarding matters affecting the
   collaboration and coordination of relations among Federal agencies, and
   between  the  Federal  government  and the states, concerning wireless
   telecommunications  issues.  Maintains  liaison with Federal and state
   government bodies concerning such issues.

   (h)  Develops  and  recommends  policies, programs and rules to ensure
   interference-free operation of wireless telecommunications equipment and
   networks.  Coordinates  with and assists other Bureaus and Offices, as
   appropriate, concerning spectrum management, planning, and interference
   matters and issues, and in compliance and enforcement activities. Studies
   technical  requirements  for equipment for wireless telecommunications
   services in accordance with standards established by the Chief, Office of
   Engineering and Technology.

   (i) Advises and assists consumers, businesses and other government agencies
   on wireless telecommunications issues and matters related thereto. Also
   assists the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau with informal consumer
   complaints and other general inquiries by consumers.

   (j) Administers the Commission's commercial radio operator program (part 13
   of  this  chapter)  and  the  Commission's  program  for registration,
   construction, marking and lighting of antenna structures (part 17 of this
   chapter).

   (k) Coordinates with and assists the International Bureau with respect to
   treaty  activities  and  international conferences concerning wireless
   telecommunications.

   (l) Exercises such authority as may be assigned, delegated or referred to it
   by the Commission.

   (m) Certifies frequency coordinators; considers petitions seeking review of
   coordinator actions; and engages in oversight of coordinator actions and
   practices.

   (n) Administers the Commission's amateur radio programs (part 97 of this
   chapter) and the issuing of maritime mobile service identities (MMSIs).

   (o) Exercises authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the
   attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers,
   correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts, agreements, and
   any  other  records  deemed  relevant to the investigation of wireless
   telecommunications operators for any alleged violation or violations of the
   Communications  Act of 1934, as amended, or the Commission's rules and
   orders. Before issuing a subpoena, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
   shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

   (p)  Certifies,  in  the name of the Commission, volunteer entities to
   coordinate maintain and disseminate a common data base of amateur station
   special event call signs, and issues Public Notices detailing the procedures
   of amateur service call sign systems.

   [ 60 FR 35505 , July 10, 1995, as amended at  61 FR 4361 , Feb. 6, 1996;  62 FR 17567 , Apr. 10, 1997;  64 FR 60718 , Nov. 8, 1999;  65 FR 375 , Jan. 5, 2000;  67 FR 13219 , Mar. 21, 2002;  69 FR 24997 , May 5, 2004]

Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau