Why are the 1710-1755 MHz and 2100-2155 frequency bands being cleared?

Who will be affected by this relocation?

Will I have to pay to relocate?

What is the AWS relocation timeline?

How will the relocation happen?

How can RCC help with relocating my system?

What Services will RCC offer?

Why are the 1710-1755 MHz and 2100-2155 frequency bands being cleared?

The Federal Communications Commission’s Docket No. 00-258 Second Report and Order and Docket No. 02-353 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking allocated an additional 90 MHz of spectrum to Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) (45 MHz in the 1710-1755 MHz in the government band and 45 MHz in the 2110-2155 MHz commercial band). This spectrum was auctioned by the FCC, with 104 bidders winning 1,087 licenses.

Who will be affected by this relocation?

Clearing the 1.7/2.1 GHz AWS band will directly impact federal agencies, and incumbent private microwave licensees such as state and local governments, public safety agencies, utility companies, pipeline companies, transportation companies, industrial users, and some common carriers which will have to re-engineer their systems using alternative frequencies or alternative technologies that will meet their specific network requirements.

Will I have to pay to relocate?

On December 23, 2004, President George W. Bush signed into law Public Law No. 108-494, the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act. This Act provides the funding mechanism to relocate incumbent licensees in the 1710 – 1755 and 2110 – 2155 MHz (1.7/2.1 GHz) Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) band. The FCC’s auction of the 1.7/2.1 GHz spectrum required agencies that own and operate microwave systems in these bands to clear the spectrum and relocate incumbent microwave systems to alternative frequencies or technologies.

What is the AWS relocation timeline?

The FCC concluded the auction of the 1.7/2.1 GHz frequency auction in September 2006. The report and order established a sunset rule for the AWS 2.1 GHz microwave relocation 10 years after the auction. A 2-year mandatory negotiation period was established for non public safety agencies in the 2.1 GHz band and 3-years for public safety agencies in the 2.1 GHz band. Federal agencies in the 1.7 GHz band have their own negotiation schedule that ranges from 12 to 48 months, with some links extending beyond the 48 month timeframe. There is no rule for the completion of the microwave relocation except for the 10-year sunset rule.

How will the relocation happen?

Incumbents should receive written notice from that auction winners (new licensees) indicating the new licensees’ desire to relocate Incumbents’ existing microwave systems.  Incumbents then have to negotiate with the concerned Advanced Wireless Service licensee which purchased the spectrum for a comparable system. That AWS licensee will be responsible for reimbursing 100 percent of the expenses to relocate the Incumbent’s to new frequencies or alternative technologies.

How can RCC help with relocating my system?

RCC has a well-deserved reputation as an independent consulting and engineering firm that is a strong and effective advocate for its clients.  RCC brings the knowledge, tools, expertise, and experience required to provide a full range of solutions including planning, design engineering and optimization, deployment and program management services.  RCC’s engineers and consultants understand the industries which have systems that are subject to relocation and have worked with all major manufacturers of microwave radio equipment.

What services will RCC offer?

RCC provides a full range of customizable services to meet the specific needs of our clients. These services include: