47 C.F.R. § 27.1412

(a) Transition deadlines. Eligible space station operators are responsible for all necessary actions to clear their transponders from the 4000-4160 MHz band and to migrate the existing services of incumbent earth stations in CONUS out of the 4000-4160 MHz band (unless the incumbent earth station opts out of the formal relocation process, per paragraph (f) of this section), in Partial Economic Areas 1-41 and 43-76 as of the Primary Transition Deadline, which is December 30, 2030. Terrestrial wireless operations may commence in the Partial Economic Areas subject to the Primary Transition Deadline as of December 31, 2030. For Partial Economic Areas 77-211, 213-263, 265-297, 299-359, and 361-411, the relevant transition deadline for eligible space station operators to clear their transponders from the 4000-4160 MHz band and to migrate the existing services of incumbent earth stations in CONUS out of the 4000-4160 MHz band (unless the incumbent earth station opts out of the formal relocation process, per paragraph (f) of this section) is the Final Transition Deadline, which is June 30, 2031. Terrestrial wireless operations may commence in the Partial Economic Areas subject to the Final Transition Deadline as of July 1, 2031, or as of the date that all eligible space station operators have had Certifications of Completion for the Final Transition Deadline validated and related incentive payments are made by the 3.7 GHz Service licensees in the 3980-4140 MHz band, whichever is sooner. Eligible space station operators that fail to clear by the Final Transition Deadline will be in violation of the conditions of their license authorization and potentially subject to forfeitures and other sanctions.

(b)-(c) [Reserved]

(d) Responsibility for meeting Transition Deadlines. An eligible space station operator's satisfaction of the relevant Transition Deadline shall be determined on an individual basis.

(e) Transition Plan. Eligible space station operators must publicly file with the Commission no later than November 5, 2026, a Transition Plan that describes the actions that must be taken to clear 4000-4160 MHz and to migrate associated earth stations. Eligible space station operators shall have an opportunity to make any necessary updates or resolve any deficiencies in their individual Transition Plans.

(1) The Transition Plan must detail the eligible space station operator's individual timeline and necessary actions for clearing 4000-4160 MHz, including:

(i) All existing space stations with operations that will need to be repacked;

(ii) The number of new satellites, if any, that the space station operator will need to launch to maintain sufficient capacity post-transition, including detailed descriptions of why such new satellites are necessary;

(iii) The specific grooming plan for migrating existing services into new spectrum, including the pre- and post-transition frequencies that each customer will occupy;

(iv) Any necessary technology upgrades or other solutions that the space station operator intends to implement;

(v) The number and location of incumbent earth station antennas currently receiving the eligible space station operator's transmissions that will need to be transitioned;

(vi) An estimate of the number of incumbent earth station antennas that will require retuning, repointing, or other modifications to receive content on new transponder frequencies post-transition; and

(vii) The specific timeline by which the space station operator will implement the actions described in its plan.

(2) To the extent that incumbent earth stations are not accounted for in eligible space station operators' Transition Plans, the Relocation Coordinator may assign responsibility for their transition to an eligible space station operator or ensure that migration steps and timelines are outlined in an individualized Earth Station Transition Plan as needed.

(f) Incumbent earth station opt-out. An incumbent earth station within the contiguous United States may opt out of the formal relocation process and accept a lump sum payment equal to the average estimated, reasonable costs of transitioning existing FSS C-band service out of 4000-4160 MHz, as determined by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, in lieu of actual relocation costs. An incumbent earth station that accepts a lump sum payment is responsible for coordinating with the relevant space station operator(s) as necessary and performing all relocation actions on its own, including switching to a new distribution technology. An incumbent earth station that accepts a lump sum payment will not receive further reimbursement for any costs exceeding the lump sum payment.

(g) [Reserved]

(h) Delegated authority. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is delegated the role of providing clarifications or interpretations to eligible space station operators and other transition stakeholders of the Commission's orders for all aspects of the transition, overseeing the Upper C-band Clearinghouse and the FSS transition cost reimbursement program and radio altimeter rebates, and taking such measures as are necessary to ensure the timely and efficient transition of the Upper C-band.