Public dollars and sense
Nextel Communications has composed a plan to relocate licensees in the 800MHz band. The plan would result in public safety entities obtaining additional 800MHz spectrum in a contiguous block, away from the harmful interference presently suffered by public safety entities from operation of Nextel’s system. It is also reported that APCO tacitly approves the plan. (See “Dealing with a Rude Neighbor,” page 30.)
To those who have faithfully served APCO and its membership, I must humbly and with the greatest of respect, inquire: Are you nuts?
The above question is not intended to suggest that neither APCO nor its representatives are failing in any regard, but for a momentary lapse of perspective. With the bright, shiny prospect of additional spectrum, coupled with a possible solution for harmful interference, one might be drawn to this fix — particularly when the offer includes $500 million in relocation costs for public safety entities.
But step away from the candy counter for a moment, and let’s look at this, not as radio folks, but from the perspective of the politicians, economists and boards that will have to vote on whether public dollars would be spent in support of the Nextel agenda. That portion of this equation must be considered if Nextel’s plan is to be given a logical assessment.
Say I’m a city manager, and a radio guy comes to me and says, “Guess what. The FCC just ruled that we get some more 800MHz spectrum. Additionally, Nextel’s put up $500 mil’ to relocate us off of our old 800MHz channels. Whattaya’ think? Cool, huh?”
Here’s my reply:
“Charlie, we just paid to move from VHF to 800MHz about two years ago. That move cost this city a fortune, especially when we decided to upgrade the computers, consoles and every other darn thing. Now you’re telling me that we gotta move again?”
“But this time Nextel’s gonna pay the cost … well, part of it.”
“What do you mean, part of it?”
“Well, Nextel’s paying the first $500 million into a fund to pay for relocating public safety radio systems, but that will be spread around to all of the relocating agencies, like us.”
“Wait a minute, Charlie. Isn’t Nextel the outfit whose cellphones have been tearing up our communications over on Dover Street and down along Broadway?”
“Yeah. Their system causes adjacent channel interference to our radios. We’ve been after them to fix it for a while, but so far they keep blaming our radios.”
“So, let me get this straight. This city goes out and spends a couple of million on a new radio system and within two years after it’s installed, Nextel is telling us that our radios are lousy? How can that be?”
“Well, sir, the answer is pretty technical, but mainly it has to do with the fact that their digital system is using channels along side of our analog system and there is a question of whether the two systems are compatible in that environment.”
“Did we know about this possible problem before we bought our system?”
“Well, technically we knew about it. But we thought Nextel would build its system to avoid the problem. They didn’t, so there you are.”
“So now Nextel’s answer is to move us to another spot in the 800MHz band, using some portion of money in a $500 million fund, and we’re supposed to live happily ever after?”
“That’s about right.”
“Charlie, you’ve put me in a difficult position. First, I gotta tell the city council that the millions I got them to spend on our present system may not have been a great idea. Second, I have to tell them that Nextel is beating up our system, but we aren’t doing anything to make Nextel fix it and they aren’t offering us any money directly to fix the problem. Instead, we might have to move again to other frequencies and some of the cost of moving might be offset from Nextel’s fund, when we don’t even know how much money we’re talking about and how many other agencies will be drawing from the fund.”
“That’s about it, but …”
“Charlie, have you seen our tax receipt numbers? Revenue to the city is down during a recession and we don’t have a lot of extra dough for retuning radios. We already had to cancel the new high school project because the budget can’t take it.”
“I see what you mean, sir, but there is a long-term solution.”
“What is it?”
“We just move to 700MHz when the equipment becomes available.”
“Charlie, with all due respect to Marconi, how am I going to sell the city council on the idea of one move, much less two? Let’s try this. How about we just get Nextel to fix the problem on the present channels? Their problem. Let them fix it.”
“But, sir, then we don’t get the additional spectrum that is part of the deal.”
“Charlie, let me give you a free lesson in government. It isn’t about spectrum. Frequencies don’t vote. It’s about having a budget that’s big enough to solve problems, improve infrastructure and support education. John Q. Public does not give a fig about … what’s it? … adjacent channel interference. He wants better schools, less congested roads and more parks. And without money, all of the spectrum in the world doesn’t mean squat.”
“So, what should we do?”
“Tell Nextel to send us a fat check, get the hell off of the frequencies that are tearing up our system and let them fix their own problems.”
“They say they won’t do that.”
“Then get me Congressman Stampferd on the phone and when I’m done talking to him, let me talk to Sam Jenkins at the City Gazette. Let’s see who communicates best in this town.”
Schwaninger, MRT’s regulatory consultant, is the principal in the law firm of Schwaninger & Associates, Washington, which is counsel to Small Business in Telecommunications. Schwaninger is also a fellow of the Radio Club of America. His email address is [email protected].
