Sec.  22.946   Service commencement and construction systems.

   (a) Commencement of service. New cellular systems must be at least partially
   constructed and begin providing cellular service to subscribers within the
   service commencement periods specified in Table H–1 of this section. Service
   commencement periods begin on the date of grant of the initial
   authorization, and are not extended by the grant of subsequent
   authorizations for the cellular system (such as for major modifications).
   The licensee must notify the FCC (FCC Form 601) after the requirements of
   this section are met (see  Sec. 1.946 of this chapter).

                    Table H-1_Commencement of Service
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Type of cellular system          Required to commence service in
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first system authorized on each      36 months.
 channel block in markets 1-90.
The first system authorized on each      18 months.
 channel block in all other markets and
 any subsequent systems authorized
 pursuant to contracts in partitioned
 markets.
The first system authorized on each      No requirement.
 channel block in the Gulf of Mexico
 Exclusive Zone.
All other systems......................  12 months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

   (b) To satisfy this requirement, a cellular system must be interconnected
   with the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and must be providing
   service to mobile stations operated by its subscribers and roamers. A
   cellular system is considered to be providing service only if mobile
   stations can originate telephone calls to and receive telephone calls from
   wireline telephones through the PSTN.

   (c) Construction period for specific facilities. The construction period
   applicable to specific new or modified cellular facilities for which a
   separate authorization is granted is one year, beginning on the date the
   authorization is granted.

   [ 67 FR 9609 , Mar. 4, 2002, as amended at  67 FR 77192 , Dec. 17, 2002]