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Part 3 in the APCO 800 ALERT Webinar Series. 800 MHz REBANDING: A Management Level Review. December 14, 2004 Robert M. Gurss Director, Legal & Government Affairs APCO International-Washington, DC (202) 833-3800, gurssr@apco911.org Telecommunications Attorney
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Part 3 in the APCO 800 ALERT Webinar Series 800 MHz REBANDING:A Management Level Review December 14, 2004 Robert M. Gurss Director, Legal & Government Affairs APCO International-Washington, DC (202) 833-3800, gurssr@apco911.org Telecommunications Attorney Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC (703) 812-0468, gurss@fhhlaw.com
WHAT IS “REBANDING” AND WHY DO WE NEED TO DO IT? • “Rebanding” involves changing frequencies for mobile/portable radio systems within the 800 MHz Band • Necessary due to severe interference problems caused by Nextel and other cellular systems • Rebanding will separate frequencies to prevent interference • Some agencies will not have to change frequencies
FCC DECISION: Adopted July 8, Released August 6 • Re-configures 800 MHz channel allocations to address interference • ALL implementation costs to be paid by Nextel • Additional 800 MHz Public Safety channels available • New interference rules
What does rebanding involve? • Most existing 800 MHz band radios can be “re-tuned” to new channels with a few minutes of technician time for each radio - some will require “flash” firmware upgrades • Transparent to end users in the field • Requires field radios to be “touched” at least once • Some older radios will need to be replaced
Nextel is required to pay all direct and indirect costs. Nextel will secure $2.5 billion to cover Payment can be direct to agency or direct to contractor, per contract Who Pays?
External and Internal Labor Parts New radios if required Frequency coordination Engineering/Legal Consultants What’s Covered?
How are costs/process determined? • Two options • Agencies prepare cost estimate and submit to FCC designated “Transition Administrator” (TA) that serves as intermediary with Nextel; or • Negotiate directly with Nextel, with agreement subject to TA/FCC approval and TA providing mediation if necessary • In either case, written contract necessary to define what is to done, when, how, by whom, and with what method of payment.
When does this all start? • The TA will establish a schedule by January 31 • Process is likely to begin mid-year • Completing rebanding for all licensees will take at least 3 years
What should my agency do now? • Inventory radios • Correct licenses if necessary • Consider need for consultants/attorneys • Consider in-house versus contractor
Where can I get more information? APCO 800 ALERT www.apcointl.org/frequency/800hp.htm
THANK YOU ROBERT M. GURSS Director, Legal & Government Affairs APCO International - Washington, DC (202) 833-3800; gurssr@apco911.org Of Counsel Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC (703) 812-0468, gurss@fhhlaw.com