FCC delays ruling on 800 MHz interleaved channels

Sprint Nextel will be able to use its interleaved channels in the 800 MHz band for at least another 30 days after the FCC decided last week to grant a second extension to the carrier as commissioners try to determine a course of action. Sprint Nextel originally was required to vacate the interleaved channels on June 26, a deadline upheld by a federal appeals court. After stating that losing access to the interleaved spectrum could “cripple” its iDEN network, Sprint Nextel offered an alternative proposal for vacating the frequencies, based on rebanding progress in a geographic region. Public-safety organizations have expressed general support for the first year of the carrier’s proposal. With the extension, the FCC is scheduled to rule on the matter by Aug. 25.