FCC gives a nod to 800 MHz rebanding plan submitted as a consensus among 17 signatories
The FCC has indicated its special interest in a particular frequency reallocation plan intended to mitigate interference to public safety radio communications in the 800 MHz band. The plan’s 16 or 17 signatories (see below) reached a consensus among themselves and, thus, named their plan the “Consensus Plan.”
The plan was submitted to the FCC on Aug. 7 as part of the signatories’ joint reply comments in an FCC rulemaking proceeding, “Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band – Consolidating the 900 MHz Industrial/Land Transportation and Business Pool Channels,” WT Docket No. 02-55.
The plan proposes revisions to the 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 1900 MHz bands.
Indicating its special interest, and saying that it wants to “develop a full and complete record,” the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued a public notice seeking comment on the plan. Comments are due on or before Sept. 23.
To view the plan as submitted to the FCC, click here.
The FCC accepts comments electronically via its electronic comment filing system. It also accepts comments on paper:
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Hand delivery — In care of Vistronix, 236 Massachusetts Ave., N.E., Suite 110, Washington, D.C., 20002. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building.
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Commercial overnight mail — 9300 E. Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.
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U.S. Postal Service mail — 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554.
All filings must be addressed to the FCC’s secretary (Marlene H. Dortch), Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC stated that the joint reply comments were filed by Aeronautical Radio, the American Mobile Telecommunications Association, the American Petroleum Institute, the Association of American Railroads, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials – International, Forest Industries Telecommunications, the Industrial Telecommunications Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Municipal Signal Association, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs Association, the National Sheriffs Association, Nextel Communications, the Personal Communications Industry Association, the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association and the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.
Although the FCC listed the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association as one of the signatories of the reply comments, the association’s name does not appear on the comment document. A spokesperson for NSSGA could not be reached for immediate clarification.