The FCC released a Public Notice, Friday December 2, 2005, announcing that reconfiguration of the 800 MHz band is to begin January 3, 2006 for all non-NPSPAC channels in NPSPAC regions assigned to Wave 3.
Please see our website at www.thespectrumfirm.com under the Spectrum Spotlight Special Edition” for a list of states affected by Wave 3. Also, note that the FCC took action in September to move Louisiana NPSPAC region from Wave 2 to Wave 3.
Key points are as follows:
Three-month voluntary negotiations are effective immediately and will end April 2, 2006. A three-month mandatory negotiation period will follow and end July 2, 2006.
Effective immediately, a freeze has been placed on all 800 MHz applications for non-NPSPAC channels in Wave 3. The freeze applies to:
Stations located in NPSPAC regions in Wave 3
Adjacent regions within 70 miles of the border of regions in Wave 3
The freeze that affects Wave 3 will last until August 14, 2006, which is 30 working days after the date of completion of mandatory negotiations.
The freeze imposed by the FCC excludes the following:
Modification applications filed to implement 800 MHz reconfiguration will not be affected by the freeze.
Modification applications that do not change or expand existing licensed stations coverage areas.
Assignments/transfers of station licenses
Renewal-only applications
Once again, the commission reiterates that new radio service codes for licenses that list 800 MHz band frequencies.
The FCC's Universal Licensing System will automatically update modification applications filed to show the appropriate new radio service code.
Once the code has been changed on the license by the Commission, any further applications concerning that license must use the new radio service code.
For information on this FCC Public Notice, 800 MHz relocation issues, other spectrum, licensing or related technical services issues, contact Tina Jackson at (858) 484-8502 - tina.jackson@thespectrumfirm.com
