The Broadband Division of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has provided guidance to 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window (Tribal Window) licensees on complying with the interim performance requirements deadline contained in Section 27.14(u)(4) of the FCCs rules, as modified by the FCC’s July 8, 2022 Public Notice. The FCC emphasizes that it uses the terms performance requirements, construction requirements, and buildout requirements interchangeably. When the Commission uses these terms, it is referring to the requirement for licensees to demonstrate that they have constructed and are operating pursuant to the licenses issued by the FCC.
New licensees in this band, including Tribal Window licensees, are subject to interim and final performance requirements within four and eight years of initial license grant, respectively. Such licensees must file notifications demonstrating completion of any related construction work by the applicable deadline. Licenses granted to more than 150 Tribal Window licensees have interim performance deadlines in October 2024. Deadlines for later-granted licenses are on the four-year anniversary of the license grant. Tribal Window licensees can confirm the date of their interim performance deadline by reviewing their license records in the Universal Licensing System (ULS).
Additionally, the FCC has provided guidance to facilitate the submission of related construction notification filings.