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                                   Before the

                       Federal Communications Commission

                             Washington, D.C. 20554

   In the Matter of Red Roof Inn #10038 Farmington Hills, Michigan ) ) ) ) )
   File No.: EB-FIELDNER-13-00010410 Citation No.: C201432360001




                               CITATION AND ORDER

             EXCEEDING SIGNAL LEAKAGE LIMITS IN AERONAUTICAL BANDS

   Adopted: January 16, 2014 Released: January 16, 2014

   By the District Director, Detroit Office, Northeast Region, Enforcement
   Bureau:

   I. INTRODUCTION

    1. This is an official CITATION AND ORDER (Citation) issued pursuant to
       Section 503(b)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended
       (Communications Act or Act),^ to Red Roof Inn #10038 (Red Roof Inn).
       Specifically, Red Roof Inn is being cited for failing to notify the
       Commission before operating a multichannel video programming
       distributor (MVPD) system with a carrier in the aeronautical radio
       frequency band, in violation of Section 76.1804 of the Commission's
       Rules (Rules),^ and for exceeding cable signal leakage limits in
       aeronautical frequency bands in violation of Section 76.605(a)(12) of
       the Rules.^

    2. Notice of Duty to Comply With Laws.  Red Roof Inn should take
       immediate steps to come into compliance and reduce excessive signal
       leakage, and to avoid any recurrence of the misconduct described
       herein. Red Roof Inn also must immediately register as an MVPD and
       file FCC Form 321.^ Red Roof Inn is hereby on notice that if it
       subsequently engages in any conduct of the type described in this
       Citation, including any violation of Sections 76.1804 and
       76.605(a)(12) of the Rules, it may be subject to civil penalties,
       including but not limited to substantial monetary fines (forfeitures)
       and seizure of equipment. Such forfeitures may be based on both the
       conduct that led to this Citation and the conduct following it.^

    3. Your Response Required. Pursuant to Sections 4(i), 4(j), and 403 of
       the Communications Act,^ we also direct Red Roof Inn to respond in
       writing, within thirty (30) calendar days after the release date of
       this Citation, and signed under penalty of perjury, with descriptions
       of the specific action(s) taken to come into compliance with the cable
       signal leakage and notification rules, plans to preclude recurrence of
       the violations, and also a timeline for completion of any correction
       action(s).

   II. background

    4. On October 29, 2013, an  agent from the Enforcement Bureau's Detroit
       Office (Detroit Office) conducted an investigation and found Red Roof
       Inn, located at 24300 Sinacola Court, Farmington Hills, Michigan,
       utilizing a non-cable MVPD system at its facility.  The agent also
       found that Red Roof Inn's MVPD system was using aeronautical
       frequencies, but had not filed FCC Form 321 to notify the Commission
       of its operation in the aeronautical band. The agent further found
       that Red Roof Inn's MVPD system was emitting a radio carrier signal
       above allowed limits on frequency bands utilized by aeronautical
       services. Specifically, the agent from the Detroit Office conducted
       field strength measurements on the aeronautical frequency 127.2625 MHz
       and measured an emission of 75.9  microvolts per meter.

   III. applicable law and violations

    5. The Rules provide that cable and non-cable MVPDs that transmit
       carriers with certain characteristics within frequency bands of
       108-137 MHz and 225-400 MHz must comply with specific technical
       requirements delineated in the Rules in order to avoid interference to
       other licensed operations, including aeronautical systems operating in
       these frequency ranges. In particular, Section 76.610 of the Rules
       provides that all MVPDs (cable and non-cable) transmitting carriers or
       other signal components carried at an average power level equal to or
       greater than 10^-4 watts across a 25 kHz bandwidth in any 160
       microsecond period, at any point in the cable distribution system in
       the frequency bands 108-137 and 225-400 MHz for any purpose must
       comply with, among others, Section 76.605(a)(12) of the Rules.^  Red
       Roof Inn was required to comply with this Rule because its MVPD system
       in Farmington Hills, Michigan, transmits a carrier at an average power
       level equal to or greater than 10^-4 watts across a 25 kHz bandwidth
       in any 160 microsecond period and carries signals in the 108-137 MHz
       aeronautical band.

    6. Section 76.605(a)(12) of the Rules provides that signal leakage from a
       cable television system operating between 54 MHz and 216 MHz shall be
       limited to 20 micro-volts per meter, measured at three meters.^ At the
       time of the investigation, an agent from the Detroit Office conducted
       field strength measurements on the frequency 127.2625 MHz over three
       meters from the MVPD equipment located at the Red Roof Inn, and
       measured an emission of 75.9 microvolts per meter, which exceeds the
       field strength allowed on that frequency by the Rules.

    7. Section 76.1804 of the Rules requires that an "MVPD shall notify the
       Commission before transmitting any carrier or other signal component
       with an average power level across a 25 kHz bandwidth in any 160
       microsecond time period equal to or greater than 10^-4 watts at any
       point in the cable distribution system on any new frequency or
       frequencies in the aeronautical radio frequency bands (108-137 and
       225-400 MHz). The notification shall be made on FCC Form 321."^ At the
       time of the investigation, Red Roof Inn was using frequencies in the
       aeronautical band, but had not notified the Commission as required.

    8. Based on the foregoing, we find that Red Roof Inn violated Sections
       76.605(a)(12) and 76.1804 of the Rules by failing to notify the
       Commission of its operations in the aeronautical band and by exceeding
       cable signal leakage limits.

   IV. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

    9. Pursuant to Sections 4(i), 4(j), and 403 of the Communications Act,^
       Red Roof Inn is directed to describe the steps it has taken or plans
       to take to come into compliance with the Commission's cable signal
       leakage and notification rules, its plans to preclude recurrence of
       the violations, and a timeline for any pending corrective actions,
       within thirty (30) calendar days after the release date of this
       Citation.  A failure to respond in writing, or an inadequate,
       incomplete, or misleading response, may subject Red Roof Inn to
       additional sanctions.^

   V. RESPONDING TO THIS CITATION

   10. In addition to the required written information described in
       paragraphs 3 and 9, above, Red Roof Inn may, if it so chooses, respond
       to this Citation--challenging the factual and legal findings
       herein--within thirty (30) calendar days from the release date of this
       Citation either through (1) a written statement, (2) a teleconference
       interview, or (3) a personal interview at the Commission Field Office
       nearest to your place of business.

   11. If you would like to arrange a teleconference or personal interview,
       please contact James Bridgewater at (248) 471-0772. The nearest
       Commission Field Office is located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Such
       teleconference or interview must take place within thirty calendar
       (30) days of the date of this Citation. If you would like to submit a
       written response, including any supporting documentation, you must
       send the response within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of this
       Citation to the contact and address provided in paragraph 12, below.

   12. All written communications, including the information requested in
       paragraphs 3 and 9, above, should be provided to the address below.

   James Bridgewater

   Federal Communications Commission

   Detroit Office

   24897 Hathaway Street

   Farmington Hills, MI 48335-1552

   Re: EB-FIELDNER-13-00010410

   13. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available
       upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will
       need, and include as much detail as you can. Also include a way we can
       contact you if we need more information. Please allow at least five
       (5) business days advance notice; last minute requests will be
       accepted, but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to
       fcc504@fcc.gov or call the FCC's Consumer & Governmental Affairs
       Bureau:

   For sign language interpreters, CART, and other reasonable accommodations:

   202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty);

   For accessible format materials (braille, large print, electronic files,
   and audio format): 202-418-0531 (voice), 202-418-7365 (tty).

   14. Please be advised that it is a violation of Section 1.17 of the Rules
       (47 C.F.R. S 1.17) for any person or a staff member of that person to
       make any false or misleading written or oral statement of fact.
       Specifically, no person shall:

   (1) In any written or oral statement of fact, intentionally provide
   material factual information that is incorrect or intentionally omit
   material information that is necessary to prevent any material factual
   statement that is made from being incorrect or misleading; and

   (2) In any written statement of fact, provide material factual information
   that is incorrect or omit material information that is necessary to
   prevent any material factual statement that is made from being incorrect
   or misleading without a reasonable basis for believing that any such
   material factual statement is correct and not misleading.^

   15. Further, the knowing and willful making of any false statement, or the
       concealment of any material fact, in reply to this Citation is
       punishable by fine or imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. S 1001.

   16. If you violate Section 1.17 of the Rules or the criminal statute
       referenced above, you may be subject to further legal action,
       including monetary fines pursuant to Section 503 of the Communications
       Act.^

   17. Under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. S 552a(e)(3), we are informing
       you that the Commission's staff will use all relevant material
       information before it, including information that you disclose in your
       interview or written statement, to determine what, if any, enforcement
       action is required to ensure your compliance with the Communications
       Act and the Rules.

   VI. FUTURE VIOLATIONS

   18. If, after receipt of this Citation, Red Roof Inn again violates
       Sections 76.1804 or 76.605(a)(12) of the Rules by engaging in conduct
       of the type described herein, the Commission may impose monetary
       forfeitures not to exceed $16,000 for each such violation or each day
       of a continuing violation, and up to $122,500 for any single act or
       failure to act.^ For instance, the Commission could impose separate
       forfeitures for each day on which its MVPD system exceeds cable signal
       leakage limits. Further, as discussed above, such forfeitures may be
       based on both the conduct that led to the Citation and the conduct
       following it.^ In addition, violations of the Communications Act or
       the Rules also can result in seizure of equipment through in rem
       forfeiture actions,^ as well as criminal sanctions, including
       imprisonment.^

   VII. ORDERING CLAUSES

   19. IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Sections 4(i), 4(j), and 403 of the
       Communications Act, Red Roof Inn must provide the written information
       requested in paragraphs 3 and 9, above. The response to the request
       for information must be provided in writing, signed under penalty of
       perjury by an authorized official at Red Roof Inn with personal
       knowledge of the information and representations provided in the
       written response, and must be received by the FCC within thirty (30)
       calendar days after the release date of this Citation and Order.

   20. IT  IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Citation shall be sent both
       by First Class U.S. Mail and Certified Mail to Red Roof Inn at 24300
       Sinacola Court, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48335.

   FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

   James A. Bridgewater

   District Director

   Detroit Field Office

   Northeast Region

   Enforcement Bureau

   ^ 47 U.S.C. S 503(b)(5).

   ^ 47 C.F.R. S 76.1804.

   ^ 47 C.F.R. S 76.605(a)(12).

   ^ Form 321 is an Aeronautical Frequency Notification Form, which must be
   submitted electronically via the Cable Operations and Licensing System
   Website (COALS). See http://www.fcc.gov/forms.

   ^ See 47 U.S.C S 503(b)(5). See also S. Rep. No. 95-580, 95th Cong., 1st
   Sess. at 9 (1977) (If a person or entity that has been issued a citation
   by the Commission thereafter engages in the conduct for which the citation
   of violation was sent, the subsequent notice of apparent liability "would
   attach not only for the conduct occurring subsequently but also for the
   conduct for which the citation was originally sent.") (emphasis added).

   ^ 47 U.S.C. SS 154(i), 154(j), 403.

   ^ 47 C.F.R. S 76.610.

   ^ 47 C.F.R. S 76.605(a)(12).

   ^ 47 C.F.R. S 76.1804.

   ^ 47 U.S.C. SS 154(i), 154(j), 403.

   ^ See, e.g., SBC Communications, Inc., Apparent Liability for Forfeiture,
   Forfeiture Order, 17 FCC Rcd 7589, 7599-7600, paras. 23-28 (2002)
   (imposing $100,000 forfeiture for egregious and intentional misconduct,
   i.e., refusing to attest to truthfulness and accuracy of responses to a
   Letter Inquiry (LOI)); Connect Paging, Inc. d/b/a Get A Phone, Forfeiture
   Order, 22 FCC Rcd 15146 (Enf. Bur. 2007) (imposing $4,000 forfeiture for
   failure to respond to an LOI); BigZoo.Com Corporation, Order of
   Forfeiture, 20 FCC Rcd 3954 (Enf. Bur. 2005) (imposing $20,000 forfeiture
   for failure to respond to an LOI); Donald W. Kaminski, Jr., Forfeiture
   Order, 18 FCC Rcd 26065 (Enf. Bur. 2003) (imposing $4,000 forfeiture for
   failure to respond to an LOI). See also World Communications Satellite
   Systems, Inc., Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 18 FCC Rcd
   18545 (Enf. Bur. 2003) (proposing $10,000 forfeiture for a non-responsive
   reply to an LOI); Digital Antenna, Inc., Notice of Apparent Liability for
   Forfeiture, 23 FCC Rcd 7600 (Enf. Bur. 2008) (proposing $11,000 forfeiture
   for failure to provide complete responses to an LOI).

   ^ 47 C.F.R. S 1.17.

   ^ 47 U.S.C. S 503.

   ^ See 47 U.S.C. SS 401, 501, 503; 47 C.F.R. S 1.80(b)(7). This amount is
   subject to further adjustment for inflation (see 47 C.F.R. S 1.80(b)(9)),
   and the forfeiture amount applicable to any violation will be determined
   based on the statutory amount designated at the time of the violation.

   ^ See supra para. 2.

   ^ See 47 U.S.C. S 510.

   ^ See 47 U.S.C. SS 401, 501.

   (...continued from previous page)

                                                              (continued....)

   Federal Communications Commission DA 14-48

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   Federal Communications Commission DA 14-48