Wave 1 - Wave 4, Non-Border Regions
Canada Border Region
Mexico Border Region
Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands
|
|
 |
U.S. Virgin Islands Band Plan - On February 18, 2011, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) released the Fourth Report and Order (DA 11-315) adopting a final 800 MHz band plan for the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). The PSHSB established a one year transition period for completion of rebanding in the USVI, which begins on March 21, 2011 and ends on March 20, 2012. It sought to harmonize the transition period for the USVI with the transition period for Puerto Rico.
Implementation for Puerto Rico NPSPAC Licensees – On November 9, 2010, the PSHSB granted a Request for Waiver of Section 90.621(b) of the FCC’s rules relating to short-spacing separation submitted by the TA to allow NPSPAC licensees in Puerto Rico to proceed with their implementation activities and reconfigure their radio systems notwithstanding the pending FCC proceedings relating to one EA licensee.
Back to top
800 MHz radio systems - including 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.
Back to top
In its May 2007 Second Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 07-102), the FCC determined that an 800 MHz band plan was needed for Puerto Rico that was distinct from that used in the Continental United States. The FCC directed the TA to propose an alternative band plan and negotiation timetable for Puerto Rico. On October 19, 2007, the TA proposed an alternative band plan and negotiation timetable for Puerto Rico in a filing with the FCC.
On June 30, 2008, the PSHSB issued a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (DA 08-1530) seeking comment on the TA's band plan proposal and on potential alternatives.
On April 26, 2010, the PSHSB released a Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (DA 10-695) adopting a final 800 MHz band plan for Puerto Rico. The band plan is shown in the following graphic:
The Third Report and Order provides for an 18-month transition period for completion of reconfiguration in Puerto Rico, which began on September 20, 2010 and ends on March 19, 2012. The PSHSB stated that planning and negotiations must be completed within 90 days, leaving 15 months for the implementation phase. A 90-day mandatory negotiation period began on September 20, 2010 for the remaining incumbent licensees that must be retuned from the 816.5-821/861.5-866 MHz portion of the band in Puerto Rico
The Third Report and Order established three stages for reconfiguration in Puerto Rico. Stage 1 involves the relocation of non-public safety licensees in Channels 1-120. Stage 2 involves the relocation of NPSPAC licensees 15 MHz lower to the new NPSPAC Band; the relocation of high-site incumbent licensees from the ESMR Band to the Interleaved Band; and the relocation of Economic Area (EA) and site-based ESMR licensees that are part of an EA Election from the Interleaved, Expansion, and Guard Bands into the ESMR Band. Stage 3 includes the relocation of the licenses of Preferred Communication Systems, Inc. and Preferred Acquisitions, Inc. and, if necessary, pro rata apportionment of ESMR spectrum in accordance with the Third Report and Order.
Back to top
The PSHSB directed the TA to develop a detailed Puerto Rico band reconfiguration timetable with milestones for completion of each stage of the process. The TA filed its Implementation Timetable for the Reconfiguration of the 800 MHz Band in Puerto Rico (Implementation Timetable) with the PSHSB on August 20, 2010. The PSHSB approved the Implementation Timetable in a September 15, 2010 Public Notice.
The Implementation Timetable sets out the timeframe and sequence for the reconfiguration of Puerto Rico licensees and it incorporates the guidance, band plan, and reconfiguration sequencing that the PSHSB set forth in the Third Report and Order. The Implementation Timetable also takes into account variations in licensee characteristics and the specific steps required for the implementation of Stages 1, 2, and 3 relocations.
The following timetable has been set for reconfiguration in Puerto Rico.
| Puerto Rico Reconfiguration Key Dates |
| EVENT |
DATE |
Start of filing freeze for new applications in Puerto Rico
|
August 23, 2010
|
Commencement of 18-month transition period for reconfiguration in Puerto Rico
|
September 20, 2010
|
Start of 90-day mandatory negotiation period
|
September 20, 2010
|
Guard Band Elections due
|
September 20, 2010
|
Cost Estimates due
|
October 19, 2010
|
End of 90-day negotiation period
|
December 20, 2010
|
Commencement of mediation period
|
December 21, 2010
|
End of mediation period
|
February 3, 2011
|
End of filing freeze for new applications in Puerto Rico
|
February 3, 2011
|
Completion of implementation by high-site licensees clearing the ESMR Band
|
September 20, 2011
|
Completion of implementation for all other licensees
|
March 19, 2012
|
End of 18-month transition period
|
March 19, 2012
|
Back to top
On August 20, 2010, the TA filed a Request for Waiver of Section 90.621(b) of the FCC’s rules relating to short-spacing separation requirements for public safety licensees. The TA sought a waiver of that rule to allow public safety licensees in Puerto Rico to reconfigure their radio systems and relocate to their replacement frequencies in the new NPSPAC Band without waiting for the one incumbent EA licensee to clear its licensed frequencies. The PSHSB granted the waiver in an Order (DA 10-2167) released on November 9, 2010, enabling NPSPAC licensees in Puerto Rico to proceed with their implementation activities and relocate to the new NPSPAC band.
Back to top
On February 18, 2011, the PSHSB released the Fourth Report and Order (DA 11-315) adopting a final 800 MHz band plan for the USVI. The band plan is identical to the band plan for Puerto Rico. The USVI band plan is shown in the following graphic
 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands Band Plan > Enlarge |
The Fourth Report and Order provides for a 12-month transition period for completion of reconfiguration in the USVI, which begins on March 21, 2011 and ends on March 20, 2012. A 90-day period to complete planning and FRA negotiations begins on March 21, 2011 for the incumbent licensees that must be retuned from the 816.5-821/861.5-866 MHz portion of the band in the USVI.
The following timetable applies to reconfiguration in the USVI.
| U.S. Virgin Islands Reconfiguration Key Dates |
| EVENT |
DATE |
Start of filing freeze for new applications in the USVI
|
February 18, 2011
|
Commencement of 12-month transition period for reconfiguration in the USVI
|
March 21, 2011
|
Start of 90-day mandatory negotiation period
|
March 21, 2011
|
Guard Band Elections due
|
March 21, 2011
|
Cost Estimates due
|
June 20, 2011
|
End of 90-day negotiation period
|
June 20, 2011
|
Commencement of mediation period
|
June 21, 2011
|
End of mediation period
|
July 19, 2011
|
End of filing freeze for new applications in the USVI
|
August 2, 2011
|
Completion of implementation by high-site licensees clearing the ESMR Band
|
September 20, 2011
|
Completion of implementation for all other licensees
|
March 20, 2012
|
End of 12-month transition period
|
March 20, 2012
|
Back to top
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands licensees are encouraged to perform the following activities to facilitate the reconfiguration process:
- Ensure that the TA has your most current Point of Contact (POC) information by filling out and submitting to the TA a Point of Contact (POC) Form (PDF or Word version)
- Review and update your license information, particularly contact information, in the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) database to ensure that it is correct and up-to-date.
- Plan for the reconfiguration of your radio system and prepare and submit a cost estimate . Additional information is available in the "Cost Estimate" section below.
Back to top
A Frequency Proposal Report (FPR) is a report provided by the TA that identifies a licensee's current base station transmit frequencies designated for reconfiguration and provides the proposed replacement frequencies and other information to assist licensees in the 800 MHz band reconfiguration process. The FPR does not constitute authorization to operate on the proposed frequencies. An application must be filed with and granted by the FCC prior to commencing operations on the new frequencies.
Puerto Rico: In July 2010, the TA mailed FPRs to Puerto Rico licensees for each site-specific license with frequencies in the 816.5-821/861.5-866 MHz portion of the band that are subject to reconfiguration. If you have questions about your FPRs or if you did not receive FPRs for all of your 800 MHz call signs that you believe are subject to reconfiguration, please contact the TA via email at comments@800TA.org. You will not receive FPRs for 800 MHz licenses that do not require reconfiguration.
An FPR Fact Sheet that provides assistance with understanding FPRs for Puerto Rico licensees is available here.
USVI: In August 2010, the TA mailed FPRs to USVI licensees for site-specific licenses with frequencies in the 816.5-821/861.5-866 MHz portion of the band that were subject to reconfiguration pursuant to the proposed band plan. The FPRs were contingent upon the FCC’s adoption of a final band plan for the USVI and were subject to change. With the release of the Fourth Report and Order and the adoption of a final band plan for the USVI, the proposed replacement frequencies in the FPRs remain the same as they are consistent with the final band plan.
An FPR Fact Sheet that provides assistance with understanding FPRs for USVI licensees is available here.
Back to top
Puerto Rico: If you are licensed for frequencies in the modified Guard Band (816.5-817/861.5-862 MHz) in Puerto Rico, you may elect to relocate to the Interleaved Band or Expansion Band. To elect to relocate from the Guard Band, you must complete and submit a Puerto Rico Guard Band Election Form to the TA as soon as possible but no later than September 20, 2010. The TA’s July 2010 FPR mailing included proposed replacement frequencies for Guard Band frequencies in case licensees want to elect to relocate. Licensees that do not return a Puerto Rico Guard Band Election Form to the TA will remain in the Guard Band.
USVI:
If you are licensed for frequencies in the modified Guard Band (816.5-817/861.5-862 MHz) in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you may elect to relocate to the Interleaved Band or Expansion Band. To elect to relocate out of the Guard Band, you must complete and submit a U.S. Virgin Islands Guard Band Election Form to the TA by March 21, 2011. The TA’s August 2010 FPR mailing included proposed replacement frequencies for Guard Band frequencies in case licensees want to elect to relocate. Licensees that do not return a U.S. Virgin Islands Guard Band Election Form to the TA will remain in the Guard Band.
USVI licensees that want to relocate to the Guard Band should complete and return a U.S. Virgin Islands Election Form for Relocation to the Guard Band to the TA as soon as possible. Relocation to the Guard Band may be conditioned on available spectrum and sound spectrum policy. Licensees requesting relocation to the Guard Band are not necessarily guaranteed that they will be relocated because licensee requests for Guard Band spectrum may exceed the available capacity.
Back to top
Licensees subject to reconfiguration must prepare a cost estimate – an estimate of the costs associated with the reconfiguration of your radio system. Information about preparing a cost estimate is available in the following documents:
Licensees may submit their cost estimates for reconfiguration to Sprint Nextel via email to 800MHz@Sprint.com.
Puerto Rico licensees should submit a cost estimate to Sprint Nextel as soon as possible. In the Implementation Timetable, the TA established October 19, 2010 as the due date for Puerto Rico licensees to submit a cost estimate to Sprint Nextel. After submitting the cost estimate, you will negotiate a Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement with Sprint Nextel.
USVI licensees should submit a complete cost estimate to Sprint Nextel as soon as possible in the 90-day mandatory negotiation period, but no later than June 20, 2011.
Back to top
After completing planning activities and submitting a complete cost estimate to Sprint Nextel, licensees will negotiate a Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement (FRA) with Sprint Nextel.
Puerto Rico: If a Puerto Rico licensee and Sprint Nextel did not negotiate and submit to the TA an FRA by the end of the 90-day mandatory negotiation period on December 20, 2010, the TA commenced mediation of the FRA negotiations. During the mediation process, you and Sprint Nextel must identify specific issues in dispute, state your positions with respect to those issues, and work towards reaching an agreement with the assistance of a TA Mediator. The mediation period lasted 30 working days, until February 3, 2011. If you do not reach agreement during the mediation period, the TA will refer any remaining disputed issues to the PSHSB. The mediation process for Puerto Rico licensees is described in the TA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Plan.
USVI: For USVI licensees that have not completed FRA negotiations, the PSHSB established a 90-day mandatory negotiation period to complete planning and negotiations, which begins on March 21, 2011. If a licensee and Sprint Nextel do not negotiate and submit to the TA an FRA by the end of the mandatory negotiation period on June 20, 2011, they must participate in mediation beginning on June 21, 2011. During the mediation process, the parties must identify specific issues in dispute, state their positions with respect to those issues, and work towards reaching an agreement with the assistance of a TA Mediator. The mediation period lasts 30 days, until July 19, 2011. If agreement is not reached during the mediation period, the TA will refer any remaining disputed issues to the PSHSB..
Back to top
Puerto Rico NPSPAC Licensees: On November 9, 2010, the FCC granted the TA’s Request for Waiver of Section 90.621(b) of the FCC’s rules relating to short-spacing separation requirements, which allows NPSPAC licensees in Puerto Rico to reconfigure their radio systems and relocate to their replacement frequencies in the new NPSPAC Band without waiting for the one incumbent EA licensee to clear its licensed frequencies. NPSPAC licensees may proceed with their implementation activities. NPSPAC licensees are required to complete reconfiguration by March 19, 2012
Puerto Rico Licensees in the 816.5-821/861.5-866 MHz band: After negotiating an FRA, Puerto Rico licensees in the 816.5-821/861.5-866 MHz band may proceed with their implementation activities. High-site licensees clearing the ESMR Band should complete implementation by September 20, 2011.
USVI Licensees: After negotiating an FRA, USVI licensees may proceed with their implementation activities. High-site licensees clearing the ESMR Band in the USVI must complete reconfiguration by September 20, 2011. All licensees in the USVI must complete reconfiguration by March 20, 2012.
Back to top
|
|
)
)