Fairfax, VA – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted a plan to resolve the ongoing and growing problem of interference to public safety radio systems operating in the 800 MHz band. The new band plan for the 800 MHz band will address the root cause of the interference problem by separating generally incompatible technologies. The costs of relocating 800 MHz incumbents are to be paid by Nextel Communications, Inc.
To accomplish the reconfiguration, the Commission will require Nextel to give up rights to certain of its licenses in the 800 MHz band and all of its licenses in the 700 MHz band. In exchange, the Commission will modify Nextel’s licenses to provide the right to operate on two five-MHz blocks in a different part of the spectrum – specifically 1910-1915 MHz and 1990-1995 MHz – conditioned on Nextel fulfilling certain obligations specified in the Commission’s decision.
The Commission determined that the overall value of the 1.9 GHz spectrum rights is $4.8 billion, less the cost of relocating incumbent users. In addition, the Commission concluded that it would credit to Nextel the value of the spectrum rights that Nextel will relinquish and the actual costs Nextel incurs to relocate all incumbents in the 800 MHz band. To the extent that these combined credits total less than the determined value of the 1.9 GHz spectrum rights, Nextel will make an anti-windfall payment to the U.S. Dept. of Treasury at the conclusion of the relocation process equal to the difference.
“五年多来，公共安全专业人员一直在争取不可靠和不清楚的沟通，这危害了他们的生命及其保护的公民。我们赞扬FCC的领导和决定支持公共安全社区。我们感谢FCC主席鲍威尔（Powell）和专员在这一重要程序中的仔细考虑。
The Consensus Plan was the solution recommended by public safety organizations like the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA) and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).
