The Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) has filed a request to extend the comment deadline in the 4.9 GHz FNPRM matter, supporting a similar request filed by American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The LMCC, however, has recommended that the comment date be extended by approximately 60 days, until February 26, 2021.  The LMCC stated that the present comment deadline of December 30, 2020, does not provide sufficient time for interested parties to develop thoughtful input on the novel 4.9 GHz State Band Manager concept proposed in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), or the Federal Communications Commission’s recommendations for maximizing efficiencies in the coordination of 4.9 GHz operations. The LMCC also noted that its members represent “users with a significant interest in the outcome of this proceeding.  However, their members are facing the same time and resource constraints identified in the AASHTO request.  The personnel in virtually all governmental and business enterprise entities are working remotely, which engenders its own challenges as the Commission is certainly aware.  While no one is anticipating a normal holiday season, the upcoming holidays nonetheless will impose even additional limits on the resources available to address regulatory matters. The issues raised in the FNPRM demand careful consideration to ensure that this critical spectrum is optimally designed to serve the public interest.  A reasonable extension of the filing deadlines during this most extraordinary time is well-warranted.”

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