Sprint Nextel, rebanding partners propose quicker relocation process

Sprint Nextel Corp. and broadcast groups told federal regulators that 2 GHz relocation challenges associated with the 800 MHz rebanding effort can be resolved five months sooner than expected.
The Federal Communications Commission last month directed stakeholders-including Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA Inc., broadcasters and mobile satellite service operators-to expedite the relocation of broadcast auxiliary services to spectrum above the 2025 MHz band. Sprint Nextel is funding the retuning of public-safety and private-wireless licensees in the 800 MHz band as part of an effort to halt interference between the No. 3 operator’s 800 MHz frequencies and other channels. As part of the arrangement, Sprint Nextel is giving up some 700 MHz and 800 MHz channels in return for 10 megahertz of spectrum at 1.9 GHz.
The latest consensus plan submitted to the Federal Communications Commission by Sprint Nextel and broadcasting organizations responds to the relocation component, not to the ongoing, uneven retuning process. The latter process is scheduled to be finished by next June.
The new plan-which envisions completion of the 2 GHz BAS relocation by August 2009-would establish a comprehensive monthly market-by-market relocation schedule based largely on the market-entry needs of MSS licenses, T-Mobile USA and Sprint Nextel. The plan would also adopt benchmarks to accelerate the process of negotiating BAS frequency relocation agreements and ordering new BAS equipment; reduce paperwork burdens associated with finalizing equipment agreements and simplifying the change order process to speed equipment to market; and appoint more than 200 “BAS Acceleration Teams” comprised of broadcasting industry and Sprint Nextel representatives.
“Collectively, the four-point plan that the joint parties and other stakeholders have developed has the potential to save substantial time over earlier projections,” Sprint Nextel and broadcast trade groups stated in the FCC filing.