RCC Files Letter to FCC Offering Our Insights Into The Realities of the 800 MHz Rebanding Process.

On December 21, 2005, RCC filed a letter and memorandum with the Federal Communications Commission (the “Commission”) seeking to offer certain insights into the realities of the process of reconfiguring the 800 MHz Band. Click here for a copy of RCC's Filing.

800 MHz public safety licensees and public safety agencies using the facilities of those licensees should consider the RCC Submission. The RCC Submission raises certain problems in relation to effect of the administration of the 800 MHz Rebanding upon public safety licensees and users of 800 MHz public safety radio system. Those problems should be of concern to those licensees and agencies.

The message of the RCC Submission is four-fold:

1. First, the state of the 800 MHz Rebanding should be considered in relation to its dedication to and achievement of the clearly stated purpose of the Commission in ordering that proceeding: “Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band”;
2. Second, viewed from the perspective of improving public safety communications in the 800 MHz band, the 800 MHz Rebanding is in serious trouble;
3. Third, all or substantially all of the many troubles plaguing the 800 MHz Rebanding have their origin in a loss of focus upon or an intentional departure on the part of critical participants in the 800 MHz Rebanding, and, in particular, the TA and Sprint Nextel from (i) the central purpose of the Commission in ordering the 800 MHz Rebanding or (ii) the means provided by the Commission for the achievement of that purpose; and
4. Fourth, only more active oversight of the 800 MHz Rebanding by the Commission can return that proceeding to its original purpose and see to it that the troubles affecting the 800 MHz Rebanding are effectively addressed.

RCC would encourage you to read the following and potentially provide your own comments to the FCC regarding the position taken in the RCC filing. A separate post will be submitted with RCC's view on why commenting is important. A

As always, should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at reband@rcc.com