800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Started in 2002 and Completed in 2021

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Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Re: 800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Interference Mitigation Proposal Started in 2002 and Completed in 2020

Post by Brian »

Mexican Border Rebanding Update
http://urgentcomm.com/policy_and_law/ne ... deal-0217/

Commentary - No Excuse for lack of 800 MHz Agreement with Mexico
http://urgentcomm.com/policy_and_law/co ... ment-0217/

U.S.-Mexico rebanding deal still months away
Feb 17, 2009 9:30 AM, By Donny Jackson

ORLANDO--More than four years after the initial 800 MHz rebanding schedule was unveiled to public-safety agencies, an international agreement that would allow public-safety agencies along the U.S.-Mexico border likely is at least four months away, an official for the 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) said yesterday.

During a session about rebanding during the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Winter Summit, TA representative Joe Boyer said a U.S.-Mexico agreement is not imminent, although addressing the matter is “perhaps the top priority” of the FCC’s public safety and homeland security bureau.

“If things go well, then we could see something out of the commission perhaps late second quarter or early third quarter, but there’s a lot that has to fall in place for that [to happen],” Boyer said.

More than 83% of the NPSPAC licensees in non-border regions have signed a final rebanding agreement with Sprint Nextel to execute spectrum reconfiguration in the 800 MHz band. A U.S.-Canada agreement means rebanding work along the Canadian border is expected to begin in earnest this spring and summer, but NPSPAC licensees along the U.S.-Mexico border need a deal between the two countries to commence 800 MHz rebanding work.

In the meantime, the estimated 200 licensees that will be affected by a U.S.-Mexico agreement should ensure that their FCC licenses are up to date, that the TA has the proper contact information and that any planning work not requiring knowledge of the eventual frequency plan is pursued, Boyer said.
Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Re: 800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Interference Mitigation Proposal Started in 2002 and Completed in 2019

Post by Brian »

They posted this approved meeting minutes from April on July 27th.
https://www.rcs800mhz.org/RCS800MHZDOCS ... inutes.pdf

800 MHz Rebanding - Mr. Root reported the reprogramming of RCS users continues;
approaching 40% of the user fleet, and we that reprogramming of large law enforcement
agencies will begin soon, which will rapidly increase the percentage completed. Mr. Root
anticipates being able to begin infrastructure reconfiguration in the fall of this year.

Negotiations with Sprint for frequency monitoring of our specific assigned new frequencies
for remaining incumbent Mexican usage have resulted in an executed agreement, and the
monitoring will take place over six weeks in the late May – June time frame.
The data gathered in this monitoring will provide a complete picture as to which frequencies and sites
can be retuned in our first infrastructure retuning phase.

_______________________________________________
Public safety and private radio groups plus Nextel offer ‘consensus plan’ for 800 MHz interference mitigation
Aug 7, 2002
http://urgentcomm.com/dealers-landmobil ... -800-mhz-i

‘Joint Commenters’ support 800 MHz rebanding
Aug 8, 2002
http://urgentcomm.com/dealers/landmobil ... rs_support

Private system owner cites lack of confidence in 800 MHz rebanding
Aug 9, 2002
http://urgentcomm.com/dealers/landmobil ... stem_owner

Nextel interference debate rages on
Aug 1, 2003
http://urgentcomm.com/mag/radio_nextel_ ... nce_debate

800 MHz debate rages on and on
Jan 1, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/mag/800-mhz-debate-rages-and

800 MHz decision is expected soon
Jan 1, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/mag/800-mhz-decis ... ected-soon

Public-safety groups sound off on 800 MHz issue
Jan 29, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/public-safet ... -mhz-issue

CONGRESS SEEKS QUICK 800 MHZ REBAND
Mar 1, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/mag/radio_congress_seeks_quick

FCC closes in on 800 MHz decision
Apr 1, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/mag/fcc-closes-800-mhz-decision

Analyst: 800 MHz decision imminent
Apr 2, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/analyst-800- ... n-imminent

FCC discusses alternative in 800 MHz proposal
Apr 15, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/fcc-discusse ... z-proposal

Public-safety organizations push FCC for 800-MHz decision
Apr 23, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/public-safet ... z-decision

800 MHz resolution delayed again
May 1, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/mag/800-mhz-resol ... ayed-again

Nextel gets broadcasters’ support with new 800 MHz proposal
May 4, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/radio_nextel ... oadcasters

Reports: Powell hopes for 800 MHz decision this month
May 14, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/reports-powe ... sion-month

Nextel alters 800 MHz proposal
Jun 8, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/nextel-alter ... z-proposal

Nextel, Southern reach tentative accord on 800 MHz issue
Jul 1, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/nextel-south ... -mhz-issue

Verizon says 800 MHz plan may be criminal
Jun 29, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/verizon-says ... e-criminal

800 MHz decision scheduled for Thursday
Jul 2, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/800-mhz-deci ... d-thursday

FCC OKs 800 MHz rebanding plan
Jul 8, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/fcc-oks-800- ... nding-plan

IAFC: CTIA won’t fight 800 MHz order
Aug 6, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/iafc-ctia-wo ... -mhz-order

Nextel won't decide on 800 MHz plan this week, exec says
Aug 11, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/news/nextel-wont- ... -exec-says

Honing in on the 800 MHz order
Sep 1, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/mag/honing-800-mhz-order

All quiet on the 800 MHz front
Sep 1, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/mag/all-quiet-800-mhz-front

Nextel wants revised 800 MHz order
Granting request could create delays, improve Nextel's auction chances
Oct 1, 2004
http://urgentcomm.com/mag/nextel-wants- ... -mhz-order

FCC: Negotiations on 800 MHz border pacts progressing
Jun 29, 2005
http://urgentcomm.com/news/fcc-negotiat ... rogressing

800 MHz rebanding runs for the border
U.S./Mexico public-safety licensee deal still months away
Feb 17, 2009
http://urgentcomm.com/policy_and_law/ne ... -deal-0217

Sprint Nextel's rebanding price tag continues to increase
Mar 2, 2009
http://urgentcomm.com/policy_and_law/ne ... rease-0302

U.S.-Mexico treaty still needed for rebanding
Aug 24, 2009
http://urgentcomm.com/policy-amp-law/us ... -rebanding

800 MHz cost metrics should be more detailed — or for information only
Nov 12, 2009
http://urgentcomm.com/policy-amp-law-co ... ation-only

New year, new decade, same U.S.-Mexico rebanding problem
Jan 12, 2010
http://urgentcomm.com/policy_and_law/co ... s-20100112

Mexican border rebanding may wait until next year — at least
Mar 11, 2010
http://urgentcomm.com/networks_and_syst ... t-20100311

FCC: Still no 800 MHz rebanding deal with Mexico
Oct 7, 2011
http://urgentcomm.com/rebanding-news/fc ... eal-mexico

U.S.-Mexico deal allows 800 MHz rebanding on border
Jun 11, 2012
http://urgentcomm.com/policy-amp-law/us ... ing-border

Questions remain regarding Mexican border rebanding
Sep 7, 2012
http://urgentcomm.com/blog/questions-re ... -rebanding

Mexican-border licensees seek extensions to 800 MHz rebanding timeline
Oct 9, 2012
http://urgentcomm.com/rebanding/mexican ... g-timeline

Sprint Nextel: SoftBank purchase will not impact 800 MHz rebanding
Oct 16, 2012
http://urgentcomm.com/rebanding/sprint- ... -rebanding

Ten years later, 800 MHz rebanding proves to be an enlightening exercise
Jul 8, 2014
http://urgentcomm.com/blog/ten-years-la ... g-exercise
Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Progress in Mexico means 800 MHz rebanding “close” to being done, FCC official tells NPSTC board

Post by Brian »

Progress in Mexico means 800 MHz rebanding “close” to being done, FCC official tells NPSTC board
September 19, 2018

With key 800 MHz licensees in Mexico completing their spectrum relocation, there is a “light at the end of [the] tunnel” of the massive and oft-delayed 800 MHz rebanding initiative, an FCC official recently told the governing board of the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC).

“We’re close,” Michael Wilhelm, chief of the policy and licensing division of the FCC’s public-safety and homeland-security bureau, said during the NPSTC governing-board meeting earlier this month. “The only regions that have not been fully rebanded are in the Mexico border area.”

There are 29 licensees in Texas that need to retune their 800 radio systems, as well as 14 California and two in New Mexico, Wilhelm said.

“Most of the U.S. licensees that remain to be retuned are blocked from doing so by stations in Mexico,” Wilhelm said. “We’ve received excellent cooperation from Mexican government and licensees. AT&T Mexico, which was the most significant blocker in Mexico, has finished retuning all of its Mexico stations, and so have some of the other major Mexico users of the 800 MHz band.”

http://urgentcomm.com/rebanding/progres ... pstc-board

_______________________________________________
800 MHz PLMR Band on FCC’s October 23rd Meeting Agenda
October, 2018
The FCC plans to “revitalize” the 800 MHz band with action at its Oct. 23 open meeting. The commission will consider a report and order and order opening up new channels in the 800 MHz private LMR (PLMR) band, eliminating outdated rules and reducing administrative burdens on PLMR licensees.

What the Report and Order and Order Would Do:
• Add 318 new interstitial channels in the 800 MHz Mid-Band, the portion of the 800 MHz band used
most extensively for PLMR.

• Direct Commission staff to announce when applications for 800 MHz Expansion Band, Guard Band,
Sprint-vacated, and interstitial channels may be filed in the 44 of 55 National Public Safety Planning
Advisory Committee regions where 800 MHz rebanding has been completed.

• Decline to give incumbent 800 MHz licensees filing priority for 800 MHz Expansion Band and Guard
Band over non-incumbents after such an announcement.

• Terminate the 1995 freeze on inter-category sharing of 800 MHz channels, making it no longer
necessary for applicants to seek a waiver of the freeze.

October 23, 2018 - Open Commission Meeting
10:30 am – 12:30 pm EDT
Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street S.W., Washington, DC
https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/events/ ... on-meeting
https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsD ... wsID/17432
https://www.fcc.gov/document/improving-800-mhz-band
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announ ... -meeting-4
Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Re: 800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Started in 2002 and Completed in 2019

Post by Brian »

Report Updates Mexican Border 800 MHz Rebanding Progress

March, 2019

800 MHz reconfiguration on the Mexican border continues with all of the 127 frequency reconfiguration agreements (FRAs) anticipated for Mexican border licensees negotiated and submitted to the Transition Administrator (TA). Three National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) regions — one in California and two in Texas — are still clearing channels, according to the TA’s quarterly report for end-2018 submitted March 1 to the FCC.

All border-area licensees in Mexico cleared their frequencies by end-September 2018. There were unlicensed operations in Mexico that blocked two U.S. licensees as of Dec. 31. The report said the FCC and government of Mexico are aware of these operations and are working to clear them to remove any remaining blocks to completing rebanding.

https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1030137473 ... 4_2018.pdf

https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsD ... wsID/18055
Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Re: 800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Started in 2002 and Completed in 2019

Post by Brian »

FCC to Vote on 800 MHz Rebanding Requirements at October Meeting
Thursday, October 03, 2019 | Comments
The FCC plans to vote on rules that would accelerate the conclusion of the 800 MHz band reconfiguration program at its Oct. 25 meeting. This 14-year initiative — originally scheduled for three years — has aimed to eliminate interference to public-safety agencies operating in the band.

“With this rebanding effort nearing the finish line, I am proposing that we eliminate requirements that are no longer necessary and will only serve the purpose of delaying the end of this already lengthy process,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a blog.

https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsD ... wsID/18784

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments ... 0068A1.pdf

http://www.publicsafety800mhzinterference.com/CTIAWeb/
Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Re: 800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Started in 2002 and Completed in 2019

Post by Brian »

FCC Passes Rules to Streamline Conclusion of 800 MHz Reconfiguration

Friday, October 25, 2019

FCC ACTS TO ACCELERATE THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE 800 MHz REBANDING PROCESS
800 MHz Initiative Supports Interference-Free Public Safety Communications
--
WASHINGTON, October 25, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission today streamlined rules and procedures to reduce administrative costs and accelerate the successful conclusion of its 800 MHz band reconfiguration program, which was designed to enable public safety, critical infrastructure, and other licensees in the band to operate free of the interference that previously plagued first responder communications.
In 2004, the Commission launched its 800 MHz reconfiguration program, known as rebanding, to eliminate harmful interference to public safety radio systems and other licensees caused by Sprint and other commercial operators. The initiative involves relocating Sprint’s system to the upper end of the 800 MHz band and public safety licensees to the lower end. The Commission required Sprint to pay the relocation costs incurred by public safety and other licensees, in addition to its own relocation costs. The Commission also required Sprint to make an “anti-windfall” payment to the U.S. Treasury if the company’s total rebanding expenses were less than the value of spectrum rights it was awarded in the 1.9 GHz band as part of this initiative. The Commission appointed a Transition Administrator to manage the rebanding program under the Commission’s direction.
The rebanding process is now nearly complete, with over 2,000 licensees relocated to new channels in the band, and only 19 licensees yet to be relocated. In addition, the Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau previously determined that Sprint’s rebanding expenses exceeded the value of the 1.9 GHz spectrum, so no anti-windfall payment is required. As a result of these developments, the Commission today adopted an Order that streamlines certain rules and procedures to expedite completion of the rebanding process. The Commission also sought comment on eliminating certain responsibilities of the Transition Administrator to help conclude this program.

Action by the Commission October 25, 2019 by Order and Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 19-108). Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly, Carr, Rosenworcel, and Starks approving. Chairman Pai and Commissioner O’Rielly issuing separate statements.
WT Docket No. 02-55

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-acts-e ... -rebanding

https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsD ... wsID/18867

_______________________________
STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI
Re: Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band, WT Docket No. 02-55.
2004 was a notable year in many respects. For example, it was the last year the Expos franchise would play in Montreal before relocating to become the Washington Nationals. It was also the year the FCC embarked on reconfiguring the 800 MHz band to alleviate harmful interference by Sprint’s commercial “Enhanced” Specialized Mobile Radio System to public safety radio systems using this spectrum.
Now, just as the Nationals’ quest to win the World Series is tantalizingly close to success, our 800 MHz rebanding journey is nearing a successful conclusion as well. Both of these efforts have taken a lot of time and hard work. It took the Nationals over 2,000 games over 15 seasons to reach the World Series. And over the last fifteen years, 2,088 public safety licensees have successfully completed physical reconfiguration of their radio systems. The Nationals now need only two more wins to capture the championship. And only 19 licensees, all in the Mexican border region, still need to complete rebanding.
So today, as the Nationals gear up for Game 3 of the World Series, we take action to expedite the completion of the rebanding process. By streamlining our processes, I’m confident that we’ll be able to bring this 15-year project to a swifter resolution, which will be good for all involved.
And while the Nationals have stars like Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto who have helped bring the National League pennant to Washington, we have our own stars who have worked hard on the 800 MHz rebanding effort and this item. In particular, I’d like to thank Emily Talaga from the Office of Economics and Analytics; Deborah Broderson, David Horowitz, and William Richardson from the Office of the General Counsel; John Evanoff, David Furth, Brian Marenco, Roberto Mussenden, Renee Roland, and Michael Wilhelm from the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau; and Scot Stone from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments ... 0431A2.pdf

______________________________

STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY
Re: Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band, WT Docket No. 02-55.
This item signifies the dubious reality that fourteen years later we are still trying to conclude the 800 MHz rebanding project, initiated to protect public safety and critical infrastructure systems from receiving harmful interference from commercial operations. Remember this the next time someone tries to argue the Commission can quickly do this or that. In this specific instance, 2,093 out of 2,107 licensees have been reconfigured, with approximately 214 licensees left to close their contracts with Sprint. Why there are still outstanding issues is unclear, but what we do know is that this process still is not done. So, today’s order takes definitive steps to streamline the certification process and seeks comment on relieving the parties of additional burdens that have outlived their usefulness in order to bring this program to finality. This makes abundant sense, and I approve.
I am sure many lessons have been learned through this process and, if we knew back then what we know today, things may have been done differently. For those of you keeping track of the numbers, there are 14 licensees located by the Mexican border that still have not been reconfigured, highlighting that cross-border coordination can be extremely tricky. Currently, the Commission and others are dealing with a similar problem involving the channelization and cross-border interference issues between some of our largest wireless providers, FirstNet, and a Mexican licensee in the 700 MHz band. In that instance, we must finalize a plan between the FCC, State Department, and Mexican government to bring this to a resolution immediately, while providing the U.S. and Mexican providers the flexibility to negotiate an alternative solution later, if necessary or possible.
In the meantime, I am pleased to see the 800 MHz effort come closer to completion and I thank all of those who made today’s item possible.
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments ... 0431A3.pdf
Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Re: 800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Started in 2002 and Completed in 2021

Post by Brian »

800 MHz Rebanding Administrator Updates Dispute Resolution

December, 2019

The latest quarterly report from the TA is here.
https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1206846265 ... 3_2019.pdf

https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsD ... wsID/19069

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800 MHz Rebanding Dispute Notification, Certifications Due Jan. 15

The FCC reminded 800 MHz licensees engaged in rebanding that licensees must submit notifications of unresolved disputes or executed completion certifications by Jan. 15.

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-16A1.pdf

https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsD ... wsID/19112
Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Re: 800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Started in 2002 and Completed in 2021

Post by Brian »

Monday, March 23, 2020

2,100 Licensees Complete 800 MHz Rebanding, 4 Licensees Incomplete

The FCC released an order to expedite the 800 MHz rebanding program and declared 2,103 licensees as having completed rebanding. The 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) reported that only four licensees, all in the Mexican border region, have yet to complete physical reconfiguration.

https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsD ... wsID/19447
Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Re: 800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Started in 2002 and Completed in 2021

Post by Brian »

800 MHz Transition Administrator Says Rebanding is Complete, Asks for Program Termination
Tuesday, March 16, 2021

The 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) filed a report with the FCC notifying it that, aside from two exceptions, all activities related to 800 MHz rebanding is now complete.

“The TA requests that the commission issue an order terminating proceeding that includes a finding that, except as noted herein, all licensees have completed reconfiguration,” the report said.
Previously, the TA had certified that band reconfiguration is complete in 54 National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) regions and three U.S. territories. The only region that the TA has not certified as complete is NPSPAC region 50: Texas — El Paso.
In that region, the two licensees who have not completed reconfiguration are the city of El Paso and License Acquisitions. El Paso completed its infrastructure reconfiguration on February 25 and the 90-day system acceptance period began that day.

https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsD ... wsID/20550

—————————————————————————-

Transition Administrator notifies FCC of 800 MHz rebanding completion

15th March 2021

Almost 17 years after the FCC called for the reconfiguration of 800 MHz spectrum—known as 800 MHz rebanding—the massive program of retuning more than 2,100 radio systems should be done in June, the 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) recently stated in its notice of program completion filed recently with the FCC.

“The TA has determined that all of the 800 MHz incumbent licensees in 2,169 reconfiguration agreements—except for the City of El Paso, Texas, and License Acquisitions—that were subject to reconfiguration have relocated to their post-reconfiguration frequencies and modified their licenses to delete their pre-reconfiguration frequencies or canceled their licenses,” the TA states in its filing with the FCC.

“In addition, except for a single licensee, License Acquisitions, all licensees have completed their physical reconfiguration activities, and all but two licensees (the City of El Paso and License Acquisitions) have submitted a completion certification or have been deemed by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (“PSHSB”) to have completed rebanding.”
With the City of El Paso completing its infrastructure reconfiguration on Feb. 25, all 800 MHz public-safety systems have finished the physical-retuning aspect of rebanding, according to the TA filing. Acceptance of the system and associated administrative work for the El Paso system is expected be done in early June, “which is three months ahead of the schedule” in the city’s rebanding contract, the TA filing states.
License Acquisitions is the only incumbent 800 MHz licensee that still needs to complete the rebanding process. As part of its license-renewal application in May 2011, License Acquisitions asked the FCC to waive its requirement to offer ESMR service by the end of the license term and its obligation to complete the rebanding process. Almost 10 years later, the License Acquisitions matter is still pending before the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, according to the TA.
“In accordance with guidance from the PSHSB that in declaring a NPSPAC region complete the TA need not take notice of dormant licenses held by License Acquisitions in the non-ESMR portion of the 800 MHz band, the TA certified that band reconfiguration is complete in NPSPAC Regions 4, 34, 40, 49, 52, and 53, where License Acquisitions held such licenses,” the TA notice states.
Filed with the TA early this month, this TA notice marks the near-conclusion to a process started in the late 1990s, when users of public-safety land-mobile-radio (LMR) systems began noticing interference from cellular networks. The vast majority of this interference came from Nextel Communications, which operated on spectrum interleaved with public-safety airwaves in the 800 MHz.
Many key players in the 800 rebanding effort expressed relief that the process that was expected to be finished more than a decade ago is finally being deemed as complete.
“It’s been a long haul, over 20 years,” Harlin McEwen, a longtime public-safety-communications user and advocate, said during an interview with IWCE’s Urgent Communications. “I remember being there when the FCC took action to move the process forward and was engaged in many, many meetings and discussions over the ensuing years to get this done, … so I’m really glad that it’s now with.”
Alan Tilles, a lawyer who represented many licensees during the rebanding effort, echoed this sentiment.
“We are delighted that a process that we started back in the early 2000s has finally come to an end,” Tilles said during an interview with IWCE’s Urgent Communications. “It has taken far longer as was far more difficult than it should have been.”
In an effort to resolve the 800 MHz interference issues, officials for Nextel and public safety agreed in the early 2000s on the structure of a “consensus plan” that would consolidate all of the Nextel spectrum and consolidate the airwaves supporting the land-mobile-radio (LMR) systems used by public-safety and enterprise licensees.
The FCC adopted most of the key tenets of this plan in the summer of 2004, but its 800 MHz rebanding plan called for Nextel to pay all costs associated with the spectrum-reconfiguration effort, whereas the “consensus plan” would have capped Nextel’s financial obligation at less than $1 billion. Rebanding has cost more than $3.6 billion, according to multiple financial reports.
Sprint paid for virtually all of the 800 MHz rebanding work, after announcing its merger with Nextel in December 2004—months after the FCC issued its rebanding order. Sprint merged with T-Mobile in a deal that closed in April 2020, when almost all rebanding payments had been made.
In January 2005, officials for the newly formed TA unveiled a three-year schedule to reconfigure the 800 MHz band that called for most of the project to be completed in the summer of 2008—a timetable that was met with skepticism by many in the public-safety community at the time. The schedule for LMR systems located near the U.S.-Mexico border was unknown in 2005, because there was no visibility about how long it would take to reach a treaty agreement with Mexico on the matter, which ultimately delayed work for years.
While many of the non-border business/industrial licensees were able to complete their rebanding efforts fairly close to dates outlined in the TA schedule, things did not proceed as smoothly with public-safety licensees.
Unlike many businesses that can schedule downtime to complete such work, public-safety systems had to remain operational throughout the rebanding effort, which complicated technical work. In addition, work on public-safety systems typically require the approval of government entities—in some cases, multiple government entities—which often added time and expense to the process.
Meanwhile, some 800 rebanding negotiations between public-safety licensees and Sprint became lengthy and contentious, with the tactics of virtually all involved parties—Sprint, the TA, the FCC and licensees, as well as the lawyers and consultants representing them—being criticized at one time or another. As rebanding proceeded, many questioned the incentives surrounding negotiations, noting that several parties involved could benefit more financially and strategically by delaying the process than by resolving conflicts.

https://urgentcomm.com/2021/03/15/trans ... ompletion/
Brian
Posts: 1459
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Re: 800 MHz Rebanding Progress - Started in 2002 and Completed in 2021

Post by Brian »

FCC Terminates 800 MHz Rebanding Program
Thursday, April 22, 2021
The FCC approved an order that completes its 800 MHz rebanding program at its April 22 meeting.
https://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsD ... wsID/20640
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FCC closes book on 800 MHz rebanding after almost 17 years

April 23, 2021

FCC commissioners yesterday voted unanimously to end the 800 MHz rebanding program, bringing a formal end to the almost-17-year initiative that was designed to mitigate much of the interference that some public-safety LMR systems received from the cellular networks now owned by T-Mobile, after the carrier merged with Sprint.

“I am pleased to say that the rebanding program has fully achieved its objective,” Lisa Fowlkes, chief of the FCC’s public-safety and homeland-security bureau, said during the FCC’s virtual meeting. “And rebanding has done more than alleviate interference. It has freed up additional spectrum for public-safety and critical-infrastructure licensees. It has enabled many public-safety licensees to upgrade their systems, and it has enhanced public-safety interoperability.”
Michael Wilhelm—an FCC attorney who has worked on 800 MHz rebanding since its inception and has announced plans to retire later this year—said the FCC order directs the 800 MHz Transition Administrator to take actions necessary to discontinue its operations and that it notes that T-Mobile has fulfilled all of its 800 MHz rebanding obligations. With this in mind, the requirement for T-Mobile to maintain a letter of credit guaranteeing reimbursement to rebanding licensees has been eliminated, he said.

https://urgentcomm.com/2021/04/23/fcc-c ... -17-years/
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