1. 800 MHz Rebanding: An Overview
David Furth
Associate Bureau Chief
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
March 21, 2007

2. Outline
How Did We Get Here?
The Interference Problem
The Rulemaking
The Transition
What’s Next?

3. History of the 800 MHz Band
Established in the 1970s for land mobile use (reallocated from UHF-TV)
Intended to relieve crowding of lower band land mobile frequencies
Channels allocated for mixture of services
Public Safety
Business Radio
Industrial/Land Transportation (e.g., utilities)
Specialized Mobile Radio (commercial service)

4. SMR, B/ILT, Public Safety Interleaved
800 MHz -- Old Band Plan
806
824
746
747
762
764
849
851 A C D B A B A B
Upper 700 MHz
Commercial
(30 MHz)
700 MHz
Public Safety
(24 MHz)
800 MHz
Band
Cellular
(50 MHz)
ATG
776
777
792
794
894
896
= 700 MHz Guard Band
806
809.75
816
821
824
Channels 1-120
SMR/General Category
NPSPAC
(Public Safety)
SMR, B/ILT, Public Safety Interleaved
ESMR
851
854.75
861
866
869
SMR/General Category -7.5 MHz
150 Channels
Licensed by EA Blocks of 25 channels (SMR)
Some Incumbent Operators Remain (includes Business, I/LT, and Public Safety)
Interleaved Spectrum MHz
250 Channels
80 SMR Channels
(Licensed by EA, Some Incumbent Operators Remain)
70 Public Safety Channels
50 Business Channels
50 Industrial/Land Transportation Channels
ESMR/Upper 200 – 10 MHz
200 Channels
Licensed by EA
A few non-EA incumbents remain; most were relocated or acquired in late 1990s.
NPSPAC - 6 MHz
kHz spacing
5 25 kHz spacing
5 Mutual Aid Channels

5. Outline
How Did We Get Here?
The Interference Problem
The Rulemaking
The Transition
What’s Next?

6. Interference Problem
Mid-1990s – Nextel starts to deploy cellular-architecture “ESMR” in the 800 MHz band
Public safety also expands into 800 MHz as lower bands grow congested
Late 1990s MHz public safety systems encounter increasing interference and “dead zones”
Problem traced to Nextel as well as cellular carriers operating in adjacent spectrum

7. Interference Problem
Caused by incompatible system architecture on adjacent channels
Public safety systems use “high-site” architecture -- small number of base stations with high antennas to maximize signal propagation
Commercial systems use “low-site” cellular architecture -- numerous cells with low antennas to allow frequency reuse
Interference occurs when a mobile user on a high-site system moves far from its own base station but near a low-site commercial base station
Interleaved band plan exacerbates problem

8. Strong signal from cell site from public safety base station
Near/Far Problem
“Near/far” problem – First responder is near the CMRS cell site and far from its own base station
Public Safety Base Station
CMRS Cell Site
Strong signal from cell site
10 MILES
Weak signal
from public safety base station
2500
FEET
Result: Signal from cell site overloads public safety handset

9. Public Safety Dead Spots+
PUBLIC SAFETY STATION +
Dead spots near CMRS cell
sites – first responders cannot hear public safety
communications + +

10. Outline
How Did We Get Here?
The Interference Problem
The Rulemaking
The Transition
What’s Next?

11. Early Proposals
Best Practices Guide (2000) -- voluntary measures to reduce interference
Nextel White Paper (2001) – proposes rebanding as a solution
800 MHz NPRM (2002) – seeks comment on rebanding and non-rebanding alternatives
“Consensus Proposal” (2002) – Revised rebanding plan proposed by coalition of 800 MHz stakeholders, including Nextel and several public safety organizations

12. 800 MHz Report and Order Adopted in July 2004
Commission adopts a two-pronged solution to the interference problem
New rules for protection of public safety systems from interference by commercial systems
Rebanding to separate public safety and other high-site systems from cellular systems.
Commission’s rebanding plan incorporates some elements of the Consensus Proposal but also has new and additional elements

13. SMR, B/ILT, Public Safety Interleaved
800 MHz -- Old Band Plan
806
824
746
747
762
764
849
851 A C D B A B A B
Upper 700 MHz
Commercial
(30 MHz)
700 MHz
Public Safety
(24 MHz)
800 MHz
Band
Cellular
(50 MHz)
ATG
776
777
792
794
894
896
= 700 MHz Guard Band
806
809.75
816
821
824
Channels 1-120
SMR/General Category
NPSPAC
(Public Safety)
SMR, B/ILT, Public Safety Interleaved
ESMR
851
854.75
861
866
869
SMR/General Category -7.5 MHz
150 Channels
Licensed by EA Blocks of 25 channels (SMR)
Some Incumbent Operators Remain (includes Business, I/LT, and Public Safety)
Interleaved Spectrum MHz
250 Channels
80 SMR Channels
(Licensed by EA, Some Incumbent Operators Remain)
70 Public Safety Channels
50 Business Channels
50 Industrial/Land Transportation Channels
ESMR/Upper 200 – 10 MHz
200 Channels
Licensed by EA
A few non-EA incumbents remain; most were relocated or acquired in late 1990s.
NPSPAC - 6 MHz
kHz spacing
5 25 kHz spacing
5 Mutual Aid Channels

14. 800 MHz – New Band Plan
806
824
746
747
762
764
849
851 A C D B A B A B
Upper 700 MHz
Commercial
700 MHz
Public Safety
800 MHz
Band
Cellular
ATG
776
777
792
794
894
896
= 700 MHz Guard Band
806
824
809
815
816
817
866
NPSPAC
(Public Safety)
854
Public Safety
B/ILT
Non-Cellular SMR
866
Expansion Band
ESMR
869
Guard Band
862
851
854
860
861
862
869
Nextel and other ESMRs occupy upper band segment, adjacent to Cellular band
Public safety and other high-site systems occupy lower band segment, adjacent to 700 MHz public safety
Guard Band and Expansion Band serve as buffers

15. Post-Rebanding – More Public Safety Spectrum
NPSPAC
(Public Safety)
SMR, B/ILT, Public Safety Interleaved
ESMR
Expansion Band
Guard Band
Interleaved spectrum vacated by Nextel is available exclusively to public safety for 3 years
After 3 years, vacated spectrum is also opened to Critical Infrastructure for an additional 2 years
Other interleaved spectrum available on pool channel basis

16. 800 MHz Report and Order
Awards 10 MHz of spectrum in the 1.9 GHz band to Nextel
Spectrum is compensation for Nextel paying relocation costs and relinquishing a portion of its 800 MHz spectrum to benefit public safety.
Nextel must clear Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) licensees from the 1.9 GHz band
Requires Nextel to make a “windfall” payment to the U.S. Treasury if value of the 1.9 GHz spectrum (calculated at $4.8 billion) is greater than:
Relocation costs paid by Nextel, plus
Value of Nextel’s relinquished 800 MHz spectrum

17. 800 MHz Report and Order
Requires Nextel to pay all relocation costs incurred by public safety and other 800 MHz incumbents
Costs must be reasonable, but no ceiling on total amount
Relocating licensees must receive “comparable facilities”
Provides for a 36-month transition to the new band plan
Provides for creation of the 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) to administer the transition and audit expenditures

18. Subsequent Orders 800 MHz Supplemental Order (adopted December 2004)
Modified the 18-month benchmark requiring Nextel to relocate Channel licensees
Increased the credit to Nextel for relinquishing 800 MHz spectrum
800 MHz Reconsideration Order (adopted October 2005)
Modified eligibility rules for relocating to the ESMR band
Affirmed Commission’s authority to award the 1.9 GHz spectrum to Nextel

19. Preparation for Transition
Sept-Oct Transition Administrator selected
January TA develops region-by-region rebanding schedule
February Nextel accepts 800 MHz R&O conditions (Sprint affirms post-merger)
March 2005 – WTB approves schedule
June 2005 – Transition begins

20. Outline
How Did We Get Here?
The Interference Problem
The Rulemaking
The Transition
What’s Next?

21. Transition Process
The 800 MHz R&O established a 36-month transition process
The 36-month clock started on June 27, 2005, and ends on June 26, 2008
Transition is divided into two stages
Stage 1 – Relocation of Channels 1-120
Stage 2 – Relocation of NPSPAC
Transition is divided into four geographic waves

22. Rebanding – Stage 1
Channels SMR/General Category
NPSPAC
(Public Safety)
SMR, B/ILT, Public Safety Interleaved
ESMR
Expansion Band
Guard Band
Channel Non-ESMR systems move to the Interleaved Band (Nextel vacates interleaved channels)
Channel ESMR Systems (non-Nextel) move to the ESMR Band
Expansion and Guard Bands cleared
Nextel can remain in the Non-ESMR spectrum until Phase II

23. SMR, B/ILT, Public Safety Interleaved
Rebanding – Stage 2
Channels 1-120
SMR/General Category
NPSPAC
(Public Safety)
SMR, B/ILT, Public Safety Interleaved
ESMR
Expansion Band
Guard Band
Nextel vacates Channels 1-120
NPSPAC licensees move down 15 megahertz to new NPSPAC Band
Nextel moves into old NPSPAC Band
Nextel vacates remaining channels in Interleaved Band

24. Transition Waves 1-4

25. Negotiations and Mediation
Nextel and each licensee must negotiate a Frequency Relocation Agreement (FRA)
Time period for negotiations
3-month voluntary negotiation period
3-month mandatory negotiation period
Mediation
If negotiations fail, Nextel and the licensee enter into a 30 working-day mediation period with a TA-designated mediator
Mediation can be extended under some circumstances
Referral to PSHSB
If the parties fail to reach a mediated agreement, the TA refers the case to PSHSB, which has delegated authority under the 800 MHz R&O to rule on disputed issues de novo

26. Negotiation Period Begins
Negotiation Periods
Waves (in chronological order)
No. of Licensees
Negotiation Period Begins
Mediation Begins
Wave 1 (1-120)
383
6/27/05
12/27/05
Wave 2 (1-120)
234
10/3/05
4/3/06
Wave 3 (1-120)
301
1/3/06
7/3/06
Wave 1 (NPSPAC)
401
2/1/06
11/1/06
Wave 4 (1-120)
160
4/3/07 (Postponed)
Wave 2 (NPSPAC)
289
8/1/06
2/1/07
Wave 3 (NPSPAC)
237
5/1/07
Wave 4 (NPSPAC)
196
8/1/07

27. Stage 1 (Channels 1-120) Relocation Progress
Substantial progress has been made in Waves 1-3 negotiations and mediations
Physical relocation of Channel incumbents is now under way
Small number of cases remain open
Some licensees with both Channel and NPSPAC systems want to relocate all in Stage 2

28. Stage 2 (NPSPAC) Relocation Progress
More complex and time-consuming than Stage 1
NPSPAC has more large, complex public safety systems, more interoperability relationships among licensees
Significant time needed for relocation planning by NPSPAC licensees
Large number of cases in extended mediation

29. Wave 4 Border Issues

30. Wave 4 Border Issues
Rebanding in Wave 4 border regions must conform to cross-border spectrum agreements with Canada and Mexico
Existing bilateral agreements limit U.S. access to the 800 MHz band in border areas
Modifications to agreements are needed for Wave 4 band plan to be consistent with rest of U.S.
Commission staff is discussing possible changes to existing agreements with Canadian and Mexican regulators
Working in coordination with State Department
Bureau has extended Wave 4 timeline to allow time for international issues to be resolved

31. PSHSB Role in Rebanding
Rebanding implementation is a major priority for PSHSB
Bureau has delegated authority to rule on disputed issues de novo
Has issued five orders in individual cases to date
Has issued orders and PNs on issues affecting multiple cases (e.g., ability of public safety licensees to exchange information regarding negotiations with Nextel)
Bureau works closely with all major stakeholders to track progress and resolve issues informally

32. Outline
How Did We Get Here?
The Interference Problem
The Rulemaking
The Transition
What’s Next?

33. What’s Next Pending Reconsideration Petitions
Stage 2 Scheduling Issues
Additional Mediation Cases
Negotiations with Canada and Mexico
Nextel Network Cost Issues
Post-Rebanding Licensing Issues