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Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band (WT Docket No. 02-55)

Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band (WT Docket No. 02-55) International Wireless Communications Expo Las Vegas, Nevada – April 7, 2005 Cathy W. Seidel Deputy Bureau Chief Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Federal Communications Commission.

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Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band (WT Docket No. 02-55)

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  1. Improving Public Safety Communications • in the 800 MHz Band • (WT Docket No. 02-55) • International Wireless Communications Expo • Las Vegas, Nevada – April 7, 2005 • Cathy W. Seidel • Deputy Bureau Chief • Wireless Telecommunications Bureau • Federal Communications Commission

  2. Background A History of Interference in the 800 MHz band • Since 1999, the Commission has received reports of interference to public safety communications systems caused by Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers operating systems in close proximity to mobile and portable radios. • In 2000, representatives of the public safety and CMRS communities adopted “Best Practices,” a series of voluntary technical measures to prevent or reduceinterference.

  3. Background A Call for Commission Action • Despite “Best Practices,” reports of interference to public safety systems have increased in recent years, demonstrating that voluntary measures are insufficient and emphasizing the need for Commission relief. • Absent Commission action, growing interference will impede the reliability of critical public safety communications systems.

  4. The 800 MHz Solution Essential Objectives of the Commission’s Plan • Resolution of the problem of interference to public safety radio systems. • Equitable treatment of all affected spectrum licensees with minimal disruption to both spectrum users and the public. • Administration of the spectrum for the public good, exercising sound principles of spectrum management. • The provision of additional 800 MHz spectrum that public safety agencies can access and integrate into their existing systems.

  5. The 800 MHz Solution 800 MHz Report and Order • The most effective solution to Public Safety Interference is a plan comprised of both short-term and long-term components: • Short Term:In the short term, the Commission will implement interference abatement measures, including “Enhanced Best Practices.” • Long Term: In the long term, the Commission will reconfigure the 800 MHz band, thereby addressing the root cause of interference.

  6. THE 800 MHz INTERFERENCE SOLUTION, PART I INTERFERENCE ABATEMENT Short-term, much-needed relief from individual interference events

  7. Interference Abatement Entitlement to Interference Protection • Adoption of a new objective technical standard for determining whether a public safety or other non-cellular 800 MHz licensee is entitled to interference protection. • “Unacceptable interference” is defined, for purposes of this proceeding as that which occurs in an area in which the public safety or other 800 MHz system provides an adequate threshold signal level.

  8. Interference Abatement Signal Strength Threshold • Upon completion of band reconfiguration of a NSPAC region, public safety, CII and other non-cellular 800 MHz systems operating in that region will receive interference protection in areas where they provide a minimum measured input signal power of -101 dBm for portable and -104 dBm for vehicular mobile units. • Prior to completion of band reconfiguration, however, public safety and CII systems will be entitled to this interference protection only in areas in which they provide a minimum measured input signal power of -85 dBm (portable) or -88 dBm (mobile).

  9. Interference Abatement Rules and Procedures • Prior Notification: On request, cellular architecture 800 MHz licensees are required to notify non-cellular 800 MHz public safety and CII licensees of changes to their systems which could change the interference environment. The public safety and CII licensees likewise must notify the cellular-architecture licensees of such changes. • Responsibility for Abating Interference: Any ESMR or cellular telephone licensee that causes, or contributes to, unacceptable interference to a non-cellular licensee is responsible for abating it promptly at its own expense. • Interference Resolution Procedures: Licensees must comply with standardized procedures for reporting 800 MHz interference, identifying its source, and implementing a solution.

  10. THE 800 MHz INTERFERENCE SOLUTION, PART II BAND RECONFIGURATION Long-term, sustainable solution to the problem of 800 MHz interference

  11. 806 824 746 762 764 849 Mobile C D B B A B A 700 MHz Public Safety (764-776 MHz 794-806 MHz) 800 MHz Band Upper 700 MHz Commercial Cellular 776 792 794 Base 894 869 = 700 MHz Guard Band Mobile and Control Station Transmit Frequencies (in MHz) 806 824 809.75 816 821 NPSPAC (Public Safety) General Category Interleaved Spectrum ESMR (Upper 200) 851 854.75 861 866 869 Base Station Transmit Frequencies (in MHz) General Category -7.5 MHz 150 Channels Licensed by EA Blocks of 25 channels (SMR) Some Incumbent Operators Remain Interleaved Spectrum -12.5 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 NPSPAC - 6 MHz 225 Channels @ 12.5 kHz spacing 5 Channels @ 25 kHz spacing 5 Mutual Aid Channels ESMR/Upper 200 – 10 MHz 200 Channels Licensed by EA Non EA incumbents are currently undergoing mandatory relocation PRE-RECONFIGURATION BAND PLAN

  12. 806 824 746 762 764 849 Mobile C D B B A B A 700 MHz Public Safety (764-776 MHz 794-806 MHz) 800 MHz Band Upper 700 MHz Commercial Cellular 776 792 794 Base 894 869 = 700 MHz Guard Band Mobile and Control Station Transmit Frequencies (in MHz) 824 806 809 815 816 817 Public Safety B/ILT Non-Cellular SMR NPSPAC (Public Safety) 809 Guard Band** Expansion Band* ESMR NPSPAC 869 861 851 854 860 862 Base Station Transmit Frequencies (in MHz) *No public safety system will be required to remain in or relocate to the Expansion Band; although they may do so if they choose. **No public safety or CII licensee may be involuntarily relocated to occupy the Guard Band. POST-RECONFIGURATION BAND PLAN

  13. Band Reconfiguration Public Safety Benefits from Band Reconfiguration • Band realignment will result in the availability of an average of 4.5 MHz of additional 800 MHz-band spectrum. • Additional spectrum is sufficient to provide for 90 additional two-way channels for public safety and critical infrastructure. • Relocating Public Safety to the lower portion of the 800 MHz band affords Public Safety the potential to realize interoperability with adjacent 700 MHz public safety operations.

  14. Band Reconfiguration Full Funding of Relocation Costs • Nextel must pay for 800 MHz incumbent relocation costs and must secure no more than ten letters of credit in the amount of $2.5 billion to ensure adequate funding of 800 MHz reconfiguration. • Nextel must provide 800 MHz relocated public safety licensees and other 800 MHz incumbents with comparable facilities. • All channel changes necessary to implement band reconfiguration will be paid by Nextel.

  15. Band Reconfiguration Transition Administrator • To ensure a smooth transition to the new 800 MHz band plan, an independent Transition Administrator is managing the relocation process. • The independent TA is: • overseeing the administrative and financial aspects of the band reconfiguration process • providing accountability • ensuring that reconfiguration is achieved with minimal disruption to licensees, particularly public safety entities • requesting disbursement of funds for band reconfiguration based on requests for payment by affected parties • resolving relocation disputes. • TA decisions are subject to de novo review by the Commission.

  16. Band Reconfiguration Milestones • Transition Administrator Search Committee selected Bearing Point, Squires Squires-Sanders-Dempsey, LLP and Baseline Telecom, Inc. (BearingPoint Team) as the Transition Administrator on September 20, 2004. • The BearingPoint Team provided the Commission with a band reconfiguration schedule for each NPSPAC Region on January 31, 2005. • Nextel filed its written acceptance of the conditions of 800 MHz reconfiguration with the Commission on February 7, 2005. • Nextel/Southern submitted agreement for channel assignments in Southern’s operating territory on February 7, 2005.

  17. Band Reconfiguration Milestones • Commission approval of Transition Administrator’s reconfiguration schedule (March 2005.) • ESMR/cellular licensees responsible for establishing common electronic data base for interference complaints by March 22, 2005. • Completion of band reconfiguration within 36 months of start of reconfiguration of first NPSPAC region.

  18. Band Reconfiguration Step-by-Step Relocation Process • TA notifies a licensee of the need to relocate. • Cost of relocation is estimated and submitted to the Transition Administrator or directly to Nextel (licensee will be paid for the cost of producing the estimate). • Any disputes are referred to the Transition Administrator. • Unresolved disputes may be referred to the Commission. • Licensee begins operation on the new channel.

  19. Rebanding Schedule

  20. What Should I BeDoing? Determine If Your System Will Need to be Reconfigured • Generally, licensees currently operating in the 806-809/851-854 MHz segment (former channels 1-120) or the 821-824/866-869 MHz segment (former channels 601-830) will have to change frequency. • Except in border areas, licensees operating in the 809-815 MHz/854-860 MHz portion of the band will likely not need to change frequency. • However, public safety licensees operating in the 815-816/860-861 MHz segment (former channels 361-400) must be relocated out of this portion of the band unless they specifically request to remain on their current channel(s).

  21. What Should I Be Doing? Preparing for Reconfiguration Educate Yourself • Make sure you understand the rules, policies and important dates pertaining to 800 MHz band reconfiguration. • Information concerning 800 MHz band reconfiguration is available on the Commission's web page at www.800MHz.gov.  Information is also available on the TA's web site at www.800ta.org. Inventory Your Equipment • Inventory all 800 MHz radio equipment that is used in a constructed and operating system and that is subject to reconfiguration, whether or not it is under your direct control. • Develop a list of any changes to your 800 MHz radio system that will be necessary in order to use the replacement channels.

  22. What Should I Be Doing? Preparing for Reconfiguration Check Your License • Make sure that your contact information is current and correct. • Make sure that your license reflects your current system parameters. • Make sure that you are in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements. Document Unique Aspects of Your System • Simplify the negotiation and reconfiguration process by specifying any aspects of your system that may be different from “garden variety” 800 MHz systems. Keep Track of Costs • Keep a detailed account of all costs associated with preparing for reconfiguration. • To get credit for money spent, all associated reconfiguration costs must be reasonable, well documented and the minimum necessary to obtain comparable facilities on your new channel(s). Negotiation Choice • Decide if you want to negotiate directly with Nextel, through the TA or through another third party.

  23. Conclusion For More Information: • TA Regional Prioritization Plan: http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6516982905 • FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau: http://wireless.fcc.gov/ http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/ http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/800MHz/bandreconfiguration/index2.html http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/800MHz/bandinterference.html

  24. Conclusion For More Information: • Text of the 800 MHz Decision (FCC 04-168): http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-168A1.pdf http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/800MHz/bandreconfiguration/downloads/DA-04-2962A1.pdf • Text of 800 MHz Supplemental Order and Order on Reconsideration (FCC 04-294): http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/800MHz/bandreconfiguration/downloads/FCC-04-294A1.pdf

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