700 Update - 6/28/06

 

The FCC recently made announcements regarding Wave 4 and Wave 1 of the 800 MHz Band reconfiguration.

 

On June 2, 2006, the FCC announced that 800 MHz Band reconfiguration for Non-NPSPAC channels was to commence July 3, 2006 in the NPSPAC regions assigned to Wave 4. 

 

Key points are as follows:

 

• Effective immediately, a freeze has been placed on all 800 MHz applications for Non-NPSPAC channels in Wave 4.  The freeze applies to:

 

• Stations located in NPSPAC regions in Wave 4
• Adjacent regions within 70 miles of the border of regions in Wave 4

 

• The freeze that affects Wave 4 will last until February 15, 2007, which is 30 working days after the date of completion of mandatory negotiations.

 

•  The freeze imposed by the FCC excludes the following:

 

• Modification applications filed to implement 800 MHz reconfiguration.
• Modification applications that do not change or expand existing licensed stations coverage areas.
• Assignments/transfers of station licenses
• Renewal-only applications

 

• Three-month voluntary negotiations will start July 3, 2006 and end October 2, 2006.  A three-month mandatory negotiation period will follow and end January 2, 2007.

 

• The FCC noted that relocation of channels for some Wave 4 licensees may be dependent on the resolution of ongoing discussions between the U.S. Government and Mexico and Canada regarding allocation of channels in border areas.

 

• Wave 4 licensees in these areas are expected to commence negotiations and planning to the extent that they are not dependent on receipt of relocation frequency assignments.
• If channel assignments are not received from the TA within the negotiation or mediation period, licensees in these areas may submit a request for extension to the TA at needed

 

• Once again, the Commission reiterates that there are new radio service codes for applications filed to implement 800 MHz reconfiguration.

 

• The FCC’s Universal Licensing System will automatically update modification applications filed to show the appropriate new radio service code.
• Once the code has been changed on the license by the Commission, any further applications concerning that license must use the new radio service code.

 

 

 

On May 26, 2006, the FCC released an Order extending the mandatory negation period for NPSPAC licensees in Wave 1 by three months from July 31 to October 31, 2006.

 

• The FCC noted that extending this period will not ensure successful negotiations between Sprint Nextel and NPSPAC licensees and encouraged all parties to proceed in a “fair and expeditious manner.”

 

• The FCC expects the TA to take a more active role in monitoring the progress of individual negotiations and establishing deadlines.