May 1, 2013
Mr. Julius Genachowski
Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
U.S.A.
Dear Mr. Genachowski:
In connection with the ongoing meetings of the United States of America-Canada Radio Technical Liaison Committee (RTLC), officials of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry Canada (IC) have discussed and exchanged information regarding the sharing and coordination of the frequency band 160.200-161.580 MHz for railroad operations along the common border. During these meetings, FCC and IC staff have reached an understanding on draft text for a new Arrangement ("Arrangement T") in this band for railroad communication systems, as attached.
Arrangement T was drafted in accordance with the Agreement between the United States of America and Canada on the Coordination and Use of Radio Frequencies Above 30 Megacycles per Second, effected by exchange of notes at Ottawa on October 24, 1962. This draft Arrangement T may become a part of that treaty or part of a potential replacement agreement and will be further reviewed by legal officers in this regard. Although the format of the attached Arrangement T may change, the technical and procedural provisions provide a basis for allowing licensees to implement services.
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) are the entities which are envisaged as being the "railway associations" effecting coordination under the draft Arrangement T. Consistent with the draft Arrangement, they sent letters to IC and the FCC respectively, communicating a proposed Frequency Assignment Plan. Recognizing that the RAC and AAR may from time-to-time modify their plan, the most current version is also attached to this letter.
Taking the above into account, Canada intends to apply the operational provisions of Arrangement T, on an interim basis, to facilitate sharing and coordination of frequency spectrum for railroad communication systems. I would ask the FCC to confirm that it intends to take the same course of action in this regard so that IC and FCC can start to implement the appropriate inter-agency procedures.
Sincerely,
Kelly Gillis
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications
Enclosures
Federal Communications Commission
Julius Genachowski
Chairman
May 10, 2013
Ms. Kelly Gillis
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications
Industry Canada
Jean Edmonds Tower North
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C8
Dear Ms. Gillis:
Thank you for your letter of May 1, 2013, and the attached draft of Arrangement T regarding the sharing and coordination of the frequency band 160.200 to 161.580 MHz for railroad operations along our common border. In response, I can confirm that the Federal Communications Commission concurs with the proposals set forth in your letter, and agree that the content of those proposals is effective as of the date of this letter.
Sincerely,
Julius Genachowski