[SMCARA] FCC Nextel

[Larry E.Norris]

FCC sets interleaved rules for Sprint Nextel
Nov 4, 2008 1:47 PM, By Donny Jackson
The FCC last week approved an order that requires Sprint Nextel to vacate 
most of its 800 MHz interleaved channels in stages-based on the progress of 
rebanding in a given geographic region-allowing public-safety entities to 
apply for the much-anticipated spectrum.
Under the order, Sprint Nextel is required to make the 809-809.5/854-854.5 
MHz spectrum available in all non-border areas of the U.S. within 60 days of 
a public-safety agency requesting the spectrum after receiving a license for 
it. Additional spectrum will be made available as various rebanding 
thresholds are met.
For instance, 1 MHz of paired spectrum will be made available when 25% of 
NPSPAC licensees in a region have moved their primary operations to new 
channels. Other frequencies will be made available when 50%, 75%, 90% and 
100% of the channels in a geographic region are rebanded. On March 31, 2010, 
Sprint Nextel is required to vacate all of its interleaved spectrum in 
non-border areas.
Public-safety representatives have said that there is a pent-up demand among 
first-responder agencies to use the interleaved spectrum, but the FCC has 
not established a process for public-safety agencies to apply for licenses 
to the frequencies. FCC spokesman Rob Kenny said the agency hopes to release 
these rules "within the month of November."
Sprint Nextel released a statement commending the FCC on the order.
"This phased transition will ensure that this spectrum is turned over to 
public safety in a timely manner while enabling Sprint to support the 800 
MHz reconfiguration and continue to provide best-ever service levels to our 
iDEN customers," the statement said.
Release of the order is expected to bring closure to a year-long dispute 
between the carrier and the FCC regarding the clearance of the interleaved 
channels. A year ago, the agency passed an order requiring Sprint Nextel to 
vacate all interleaved channels in June of this year, the target date for 
the completion of rebanding. Sprint Nextel challenged the ruling, but an 
appeals court upheld the FCC decision.
Sprint Nextel officials claimed that vacating the interleaved channels 
before public-safety licensees cleared their spectrum-the frequencies that 
Sprint Nextel ultimately will occupy when rebanding is complete-would 
"cripple" its iDEN network.
Sprint Nextel had proposed that it would be willing to vacate interleaved 
spectrum in stages, based on the amount of rebanding progress that has been 
made in a geographical region. Public-safety organizations expressed support 
for the model but also wanted a hard deadline that would allow them to plan 
for using the frequencies. Kenny described the FCC proposal-and the deadline 
of March 31, 2010-as a "compromise" between the two positions.


Larry E.Norris
N3JTN
Kae-4617