Wave 1 - Wave 4, Non-Border Regions
Canada Border Region
Mexico Border Region
Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands
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TA Presentations - The TA made the following presentations in meetings with licensees in Michigan (Region 21), Ohio (Region 33), and New York (Region 55 - Western NY; Region 30 - Eastern NY) to discuss frequency reconfiguration and questionnaires for public safety licensees:
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Public safety radio systems - those used by police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other systems operating on the 800 MHz Band - have been experiencing increasing levels of interference and "dead zones" as a result of commercial wireless carriers operating in the same or adjacent spectrum bands.
Reconfiguration is designed to alleviate this interference by spectrally separating the two types of systems.
The 800 MHz reconfiguration program is part of the FCC's plan to promote safety and protect the lives of first responders and other emergency personnel by addressing the harmful interference to public safety communication systems operating in the 800 MHz Band.
The 800 MHz Transition Administrator, LLC (TA) serves as the Transition Administrator for the reconfiguration of the 800 MHz Band mandated by the FCC.
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| U.S. Regional Prioritization Plan (RPP) Map > Enlarge |
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| U.S.-Canada Border Region (CBR) Map > Enlarge |
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The TA's Implementation Plan and Timetable for U.S.-Canada Border Regions (10.01.08) ("CBR Implementation Plan") sets forth the timing and sequence for reconfiguration planning, negotiations, and implementation for Canadian border region licensees.
It incorporates the guidance, band plans, and reconfiguration sequencing the FCC set forth in the Second R&O 05.09.08 (DA 08-1094), and takes into account both variations in border region band plans and the specific steps required in each border region to implement the relocation of licensees.
The CBR Implementation Plan establishes two stages for the reconfiguration of Canadian border licensees, based upon the type of licensee, rather than the frequencies a licensee will be reconfiguring. Stage 1 includes non-public safety licensees, such as Business, Industrial and Land Transportation (B/ILT) and Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees.
Stage 2 is comprised of both NPSPAC and non-NPSPAC public safety licensees.
The following table shows the key dates for reconfiguration of licensees in the Canadian border regions that were set forth in the CBR Implementation Plan.
| WAVE 4 - Canadian Border Region Key Dates |
| Licensee Stage/Planning Funding Requested |
RFPF Latest Submission Date |
PFA Planning Start Date/TA Designated Date |
Cost Estimate Due Date
Licensees with < 5,000 Units |
Cost Estimate Due Dates
Licensees with 5,001-10,000 Unit |
Cost Estimate Due Date
Licensees with > 10,000 Units |
Stage 1 or Stage 2 Licensees Requesting Planning Funding
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October 14, 2008
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The later of TA approval of the PFA, or licensee receipt of FPR(s)
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90 Days from the planning start date
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100 Days from the planning start date
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110 Days from the planning start date
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Stage 1 Licensees Without PFAs
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N/A
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October 14, 2008
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January 12, 2009
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January 22, 2009
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February 1, 2009
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Stage 2 Licensees Without PFAs
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N/A
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January 15, 2009
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April 15, 2009
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April 27, 2009
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May 5, 2009
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A Frequency Proposal Report (FPR) is a report provided by the TA that identifies a licensee's frequencies designated for reconfiguration and provides the proposed replacement frequencies and other information to assist licensees in the reconfiguration process.
If you have questions regarding your FPRs, please contact the TA at the Canada Border email provided.
Stage 1 (B/ILT and SMR) Licensees: The TA provided Canadian border region Stage 1 licensees with FPRs in October 2008. For additional information on the FPRs for Stage 1 licensees please review the FPR Fact Sheet: Canadian Border Region B/ILT/SMR Call Signs.
Stage 2 (Public Safety) Licensees: To identify the most appropriate replacement frequencies for Canadian border region Stage 2 licensees, the TA coordinated information gathering and planning with the 800 MHz NPSPAC Regional Planning Committees (RPCs), public safety licensees, and Sprint Nextel. The TA has mailed FPRs to all Stage 2 licensees.
Information about the FPRs for Stage 2 licensees is available in the FPR Fact Sheet: Public Safety Call Signs in the Canadian Border Regions.
If a licensee obtains a new Special Temporary Authorization (STA) for new facilities that will be included in its reconfiguration and for which it has not received replacement frequencies, it should contact the TA at the Canada Border email provided. The TA will send the licensee an FPR with proposed replacement frequencies for the frequencies covered by the STA.
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Public safety licensees that are located on Expansion Band frequencies (815-816/860-861 MHz) in Canadian Border Regions 7A and 8 or that are adjacent to the border area, but are undergoing reconfiguration as part of the Canadian border reconfiguration, may elect to remain on their Expansion Band frequencies.
There is no Expansion Band in Canadian Border Regions 1-6. Eligible licensees are encouraged to submit an Expansion Band Election as soon as they make a determination. To make this election, licensees should complete and submit an Expansion Band Election Form PDF or Word.
For additional guidance, licensees may also view the Expansion Band Fact Sheet, or contact the TA at the Elections email provided.
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Stage 1 includes non-public safety licensees, such as B/ILT and SMR licensees, and a number of ESMR Band SMR licensees that were never cleared following the Upper 200 auctions.
Stage 1 licensees that submitted an RFPF and are negotiating or have executed a PFA should review the "Planning" section below.
The Implementation Plan and Timetable for U.S.-Canada Border Regions (10.01.08) designated October 14, 2008 as the official planning start date for Stage 1 licensees that will not enter into a PFA.
Such licensees were required to commence their planning activities and submit a Cost Estimate for their reconfiguration to Sprint Nextel by one of the following deadlines, depending on the size of their system:
- For licensees with up to 5,000 subscriber units - by January 12, 2009;
- For licensees that have between 5,001 and 10,000 subscriber units - by January 22, 2009; or
- For licensees with more than 10,000 subscriber units - by February 1, 2009
If you require additional time to submit a Cost Estimate, you may request an extension from the PSHSB. You must provide the reasons why additional time is necessary and demonstrate that you have exercised diligence and made progress in the time already allotted.
You may submit your extension request either as a motion or in a letter and it may be signed by the licensee or its counsel. You should file extension requests via email with the PSHSB and copy TA Mediation at the email addresses provided.
After completion of planning activities and the submission of a complete Cost Estimate to Sprint Nextel, licensee will negotiate an FRA with Sprint Nextel. Additional information on FRA Negotiations is available below.
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Stage 2 includes NPSPAC and non-NPSPAC public safety licensees. Licensees that submitted an RFPF and are negotiating or have executed a PFA should review the "Planning" section below.
For licensees that did not submit an RFPF, the date designated for the commencement of planning in the TA's Implementation Plan and Timetable for U.S.-Canada Border Regions (10.01.08) was January 15, 2009.
Licensees without a PFA were required to submit a Cost Estimate to Sprint Nextel for their reconfiguration by one of the following deadlines, depending on the size of their system:
- For licensees with up to 5,000 subscriber units - by April 15, 2009;
- For licensees that have between 5,001 and 10,000 subscriber units - by April 27, 2009; or
- For licensees with more than 10,000 subscriber units - by May 5, 2009
If a licensee did not receive its proposed replacement frequencies by January 15, 2009, its Cost Estimate should be submitted to Sprint Nextel the later of (i) 90, 100, or 110 days from the date of receipt of those frequencies,
depending on the number of subscriber units in the system, or (ii) the TA approval date of the licensee's PFA.
If you require additional time to submit a Cost Estimate, you may request an extension from the PSHSB.
You must provide the reasons why additional time is necessary and demonstrate that you have exercised diligence and made progress in the time already allotted.
You may submit your extension request either as a motion or in a letter and it may be signed by the licensee or its counsel. You should file extension requests via email with the PSHSB and copy TA Mediation at the email addresses provided.
After completion of planning activities and the submission of a complete Cost Estimate to Sprint Nextel, licensee will negotiate an FRA with Sprint Nextel. Additional information on FRA Negotiations is available below.
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As specified in the FCC's Second R&O 05.09.08 (DA 08-1094),, Canadian border licensees that intend to negotiate a Planning Funding Agreement (PFA) with Sprint Nextel should have submitted a Request for Planning Funding (RFPF) by October 14, 2008.
Licensees that sought to submit an RFPF after October 14, 2008 had to request an extension of this deadline from the FCC.
Visit the Resources by Category: Processes section of the TA's website for more information, and to view the RFPF Form and Instructions.
After you submit an RFPF, you and Sprint Nextel will negotiate a Planning Funding Agreement (PFA). If you and Sprint Nextel have not reached an agreement on a PFA by October 14, 2008, you will have an additional 30 days to continue PFA negotiations under the monitoring of a TA mediator.
If, at the end of the 30 day period, there is no agreement on a PFA, you and Sprint Nextel will participate in active mediation for 20 days. If you do not reach agreement during the mediation period, the TA will refer any remaining disputed issues to the PSHSB within 10 days of the close of the mediation period.
Additional information about the mediation process can be found in the TA's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Plan and ADR Fact Sheet:
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After the TA approves your Planning Funding Agreement, you will have up to 90 to 110 days, depending on the number of subscriber units in your system (see below), to complete your planning activities and submit a Cost Estimate for the reconfiguration of your system to Sprint Nextel.
You may submit your Cost Estimate to Sprint Nextel as soon as it is prepared.
- If you have up to 5,000 subscriber units, the period to complete planning and submit a Cost Estimate is 90 days;
- If you have 5,001-10,000 units, the period is 100 days; and
- If you have more than 10,000 units, the period is 110 days
However, if you did not receive replacement frequencies at the time of the TA's approval of your PFA, the calculation of the planning period will run from the day you receive your new frequency assignments.
Extension Requests: If you require additional time to complete planning, you may request an extension from the PSHSB. You must provide the reasons why more time is necessary and demonstrate that you have exercised diligence and made progress in the time already allotted. You may submit your extension request either as a motion or in a letter. The submission may be signed either by the licensee or by its counsel.
You should file extension requests via email with the PSHSB and copy TA Mediation at the email addresses provided.
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If you have completed your inventory, you may want to consider participating in the Subscriber Equipment Deployment (SED) program,
which allows you to begin reconfiguration of subscriber units, including obtaining replacement equipment, software upgrade kits, and installation services, before you negotiate a complete FRA.
Please review the Subscriber Equipment Deployment (SED) Request Form and instructions:
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After completing your planning activities and submitting a complete Cost Estimate to Sprint Nextel, you will have 30 days to negotiate a Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement (FRA) with Sprint Nextel under the monitoring of a TA mediator.
If you are unable to negotiate an FRA within 30 days, you and Sprint Nextel will participate in active mediation for 20 days. If you do not reach agreement during the mediation period, the TA will refer any remaining disputed issues to the PSHSB within 10 days of the close of the mediation period.
The TA made the following presentations in meetings with licensees in Michigan (Region 21), Ohio (Region 33), and New York (Region 55 - Western NY; Region 30 - Eastern NY) to discuss frequency reconfiguration and questionnaires for public safety licensees:
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Licensees in the U.S.-Canada and U.S-Mexico border areas are not subject to the June 26, 2008 deadline for completion of rebanding and are not required to file requests for waiver of this deadline.
Canadian border licensees are required to complete rebanding by April 14, 2011.
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