https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • IWCE
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Premier Partners
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookies Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • Microwave/RF
    • T&D World
    • TU-Auto
  • In the field
    • Back
    • In the field
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Internet of Things
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Call Center/Command
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Network Tech
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Operations
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Regulations
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • Organizations
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
Urgent Communications
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Omdia Crit Comms Circle Podcast
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
    • Sponsored content
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Why Attend
    • Exhibitor Listing
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Join the Event Mailing List
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookies Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • TU-Auto
  • newsletter
  • In the field
    • Back
    • Internet of Things
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Cybersecurity
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
acc.com

content


FCC lowers Nextel’s rebanding cash

FCC lowers Nextel’s rebanding cash

Wireless carriers has until February to accept FCC terms
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 1st January 2005

Last month’s changes to the 800 MHz order reduced by $452 million the minimum cash outlay Nextel Communications would have to pay in the rebanding process, removing what is expected to be the final barrier in the three-year proceeding.

Under the original order — approved in July and released in August — Nextel was given a credit of $1.6 billion for its spectrum contribution in the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands. However, Nextel claimed the FCC erred in its calculations and undervalued its spectrum, in part by failing to recognizing that wireless carrier’s nationwide airwaves serve 286 million pops instead of the 234 million cited in the agency’s calculation.

Using the FCC’s formula based on estimates, the corrected valuation would have increased the spectrum credit by $740 million, according to Nextel. However, Nextel’s more detailed study of its actual license holdings reflected that the corrected value should increase by $452 million — the final figure adopted by the FCC.

“This current order used the same formula but uses a much more granular set of data,” Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Chief John Muleta said during a Dec. 23, 2004, press conference. “I think this reflects a much higher level of precision.”

As a result, the minimum amount of cash Nextel would pay in the rebanding proceeding is $2.8 billion. If the rebanding process costs less than that amount, the difference would be deposited in the U.S. Treasury. If rebanding costs exceed the $2.8 billion amount, Nextel would be required to pay all additional expenses.

Other aspects of the 800 MHz order that were altered or clarified included details regarding Nextel’s $2.5 billion letter of credit, its payment procedures and a decision not to enforce more stringent interference criteria during the rebanding process.

Nextel must decide by Feb. 7 whether to accept the terms of the FCC order (see timeline). Nextel said it was “gratified” that the FCC took the action and said it is reviewing the 68-page amendment to the order. However, Nextel declined to make a commitment as the 800 MHz alterations were released.

“The detailed supplemental order addresses numerous issues, and Nextel will need to carefully study it, so we can fully understand the commission’s decision,” Nextel spokesman Tim O’Regan said in a statement. “This is an important step in moving the 800 MHz proceeding forward.”

Most analysts believe it is virtually a foregone conclusion that Nextel will accept the rebanding terms. Not only does the amended order address most of Nextel’s concerns with the original order, the company’s pending $35 billion merger with Sprint may well depend on Nextel moving forward with rebanding. (see news story, page 8)

Most industry observers believe it would be very difficult for Nextel to merge with another commercial operator with its current spectrum holdings, which include the interleaved airwaves at 800 MHz that has created the interference problems with public-safety communications. However, with the contiguous spectrum in the 800 MHz and 1.9 GHz bands it would receive as a result of rebanding, Nextel’s proposed merger with Sprint makes a great deal of sense as the two carriers combine assets to build a 3G network.

If Nextel decided not to accept the terms of rebanding, the wireless carrier would be left with interleaved spectrum and no clear path for offering 3G services in the future, which many analysts believe would spell doom for Nextel’s long-term potential. In addition, much more stringent interference thresholds — possibly very limiting to Nextel — would become effective when the amended order is published in the Federal Register. Nextel also probably has little desire to face the expected wrath of policymakers and public-safety officials if the wireless carrier decided not to agree to the rebanding plan.

Meanwhile, any merger with Sprint will not impact the rebanding process, according to multiple sources. Even if Nextel combines with Sprint, the obligations for Sprint Nextel would remain the same.

“We’re protected,” said Harlin McEwen, chairman of the communications and technology committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Reconsideration petitions for the original order were due to the FCC on Dec. 22, 2004. Although a number of filings were received, Muleta indicated that many of them were filed in case the FCC did not address a given issue in the amended order.

“My sense was that a number of the petitions were insurance policies,” Muleta said. “A lot of things were items that we dealt with in this order. We think, in this order, we’ve addressed most of the issues that would get in the way going forward.”

Filings for reconsideration on the amended order are due within 30 days of its publication in the Federal Register. Muleta said he wasn’t sure whether that filing deadline would pass before Nextel is required to make its decision.

DATES TO REMEMBER

A look ahead at the 800 MHz rebanding process

Dec. 22, 2004

FCC approves changes to 800 MHz rebanding order; deadline passes for reconsideration of original order.

Jan. 12

Comments due to transition administrator regarding rebanding scheduling and procedures.

Jan. 31

Transition administrator submits rebanding schedule to FCC.

Feb. 7

Deadline for Nextel Communications to make its decision.

Feb. ??*

Deadline for filing reconsideration petitions regarding amended 800 MHz order.

*Thirty days after order is published in federal register

Source: FCC

Tags: Regulation content Policy Rebanding

Most Recent


  • FCC lowers Nextel’s rebanding cash
    Newscan: On front lines, communications breakdowns prove costly for Ukraine
    Web Roundup Items from other news organizations On front lines, communications breakdowns prove costly for Ukraine Recording between dispatcher, firefighters gives new insight into human-smuggling tragedy Updated digital forensics database speeds criminal investigations Frontier Communications facing questions after rural Arizona 911 outage 911 center software can interpret any language used in text message CISA: Switch […]
  • Militarized drone swarms coming
    The effectiveness of drones in combat has been proven with deadly effect in the war in Ukraine, where single, unmanned aerial vehicles have been used for observing the enemy or deploying weapons against them. The effectiveness of multiple drones working together in combat, however, has yet to be seen, due to the technology’s current limits, […]
  • Take American City & County’s budgeting survey
    With the recently passed infrastructure-related legislation by the federal government, local administrators across the United States are poised to make historic investments into their communities. Given the generational precedence of this action, we’re curious about the state of local budgets—what expense lines are increasing the fastest year-over-year? In what area has federal funding been the […]
  • Final cases made about Airwave, ESN, before CMA issues provisional decision on Motorola Solutions
    Key players in the United Kingdom (UK) plans to deliver public-safety communications via the Airwave TETRA system or the much-delayed LTE-based Emergency Services Network (ESN) offered very different opinions on what should be done as UK competition watchdog prepares to make it provisional decision on the roles played by Motorola Solutions in both networks. Yesterday, […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

To leave a comment login with your Urgent Comms account:

Log in with your Urgent Comms account

Or alternatively provide your name, email address below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • New Orleans-area 911 center inks multiyear APEX deal with Carbyne to replace call-handling system
  • FCC lowers Nextel’s rebanding cash
    Newscan: Feds recover millions from pipeline ransom hackers, hint at U.S. Internet tactic
  • Cyber is the new Cold War, and AI is the arms race
  • Private wireless networks in the US start going public

Commentary


LTE and liability: Why the fire service must move forward with digital incident command

  • 2
6th May 2022

Partnership and collaboration must be the foundation for emergency communications

18th April 2022

FirstNet success means no hypothetical ‘shots’ need to be fired, Swenson says

22nd February 2022
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


UrgentComm

Sesame Solar leverages mobile solar, hydrogen to power efforts beyond the grid dlvr.it/ST8m3K

1st July 2022
UrgentComm

Newscan: On front lines, communications breakdowns prove costly for Ukraine dlvr.it/ST7fnC

30th June 2022
UrgentComm

China-backed APT pwns building-automation systems with ProxyLogon dlvr.it/ST6q7m

30th June 2022
UrgentComm

Samsung fills its 2G hole in new challenge to Ericsson and Nokia dlvr.it/ST6hBK

30th June 2022
UrgentComm

Militarized drone swarms coming dlvr.it/ST6dNz

30th June 2022
UrgentComm

Take American City & County’s budgeting survey dlvr.it/ST6Yxb

30th June 2022
UrgentComm

Final cases made about Airwave, ESN, before CMA issues provisional decision on Motorola Solutions dlvr.it/ST4Q6X

29th June 2022
UrgentComm

Polaris Wireless: Manlio Allegra talks 911 Z-axis tech, future IoT opportunities dlvr.it/ST1384

28th June 2022

Newsletter

Sign up for UrgentComm’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about Communications and Technology.

Expert Commentary

Learn from experts about the latest technology in automation, machine-learning, big data and cybersecurity.

Business Media

Find the latest videos and media from the market leaders.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital and print audiences? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • Microwave/RF
  • T&D World
  • TU-Auto

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Careers

FOLLOW Urgent Comms ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X