800 MHz Transition Administrator Quarterly Progress Report - December 31, 2005

Today the 800 MHz T.A. issued its quarterly report for the quarter ended December 31, 2005. These quarterly reports make for some very interesting reading and I would suggest that everyone involved in rebanding should download the document and read it. Click here to go to the RCC Rebanding Resources webpage to download a copy of the document.

Several interesting points from the report are:

• While the quarterly report is for Oct - Dec 2005, additional results are show for dates up to 2/21/06
• The mandatory negotiation period for Wave 1 Stage 1 ended on December 26, 2006 with 172 out of a total 369 licensee agreements being referred to Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR")
• By February 21, 2006 (the day before the report was released), "47 percent of all Channels 1 - 120 agreements have reached resolution."
• "Pursuant to the FCC's letter to the TA dataed January 31, 2006, the TA is currently evaluating whether adjustments to the reconfiguration schedule are warranted."
• "Through December 31, 2005, the TA received 84 completed FRAs for Wave 2, Stage 1 (Channels 1 - 120) licensees out of an expected total of 232 FRAs."
• "2005 ended without disbursement of planning funds of any significance to Public Safety"

There are number of tables available in the document detailing application milestones by wave, location etc. You should check it out and see what is going on in your wave.

TA releases Reconfiguration Handbook 2.0

From PR Newswire (Click here)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The 800 MHz Transition Administrator, LLC ("TA") today announced the publication of Release 2.0 of the 800 MHz Band Reconfiguration Handbook. The document is available on the TA's website (http://www.800ta.org/) both in a practical Online Reference Guide and as a complete PDF document available for download.

The guidelines provided in the Handbook are designed to support reasonable and prudent reconfiguration planning activities while conforming to the FCC's requirements. The Handbook provides background information on 800 MHz Band Reconfiguration and an overview of the Regional Prioritization Plan. It describes:

* The roles of the TA, Sprint Nextel and licensees
* The activities associated with planning for reconfiguration
* The steps required to execute a Planning Funding Agreement (PFA) or
Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement (FRA) with Sprint Nextel
* Guidelines for allowable costs and reimbursement
* The payment process and funding guidelines
* Contact information for the TA and Sprint Nextel


The TA has updated the guidance in the Handbook based on FCC's October 5, 2005 Memorandum Opinion and Order, most notably the modified Atlanta area Band plan and additional information for Non-Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR) Economic Area (EA) Licensees. The Handbook contains revised graphics and more direct links to documents referenced in the text. It also provides more complete discussions on the Payment Process, the revised Request for Planning Funding process, and the Reconfiguration Implementation Phase, along with a new section on Fraud, Waste, and Abuse. Other policy additions and revisions previously reflected on the website have also been incorporated.

"The TA continues to provide guidance to facilitate the affected community's ability of all stakeholders to achieve the goals of 800 MHz Reconfiguration," said Brett Haan, Director, 800 MHz Transition Administrator. "The publication of Release 2.0 of the Handbook represents many improvements to the TA processes and policies that have been influenced by lessons learned in the first eight months of this multi-year program. Our guidance will continue to evolve in this complex, nationwide program."

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To download a copy of the newly release Reconfiguration Handbook, go to the Rebanding Resources webpage at www.rcc.com/rebanding/resources.htm

Utah Communications Agency Network (UCAN) Has Approved Planning Funding Agreement with Nextel

On Feb. 14th, Sprint Nextel announced that the TA has approved the planning funding agreement with UCAN. The TA indicated that this is the first planning funding agreement with a "significant" public safety entity. (That in itself actually says a lot!!)

Click here to read the complete story as reported in MRT.

Interestingly enough, the MRT story indicates that "Contrary to some reports, UCAN did not use the TA template, but rebanding officials agree that other licensees should be encouraged that an agreement could be reached on such a large system. "

(UPDATE: The TA Quarterly report issued on 2/22/06 indicates that Utah utilized "key components of the TA's template for planning funding." I'm not sure what "key components" are. In my view, either they used the TA template or they didn't. If they didn't, why not?)

It's interesting that the first deal with a "significant" public safety entity did not use the official process (TA templates), and that it took until February to approve.

What do you think?

800 MHz T.A. announces improvement in the RFPF process

During a presentation at the APCO 3rd Annual Winter Summit in Orlando, FL, the T.A. announced what they called, an improved process for submitting RFPF. In this new process, the T.A. will take a more active oversight role in the process. Specific changes as detailed in the PR Newswire Release include:

• Licensees will initially submit Requests For Planning Funding (RFPF) and supporting documentation directly to the TA. The TA will acknowledge receipt and validate that the request provides the supporting detail requested in established TA policy and guidance.
• Once the request is determined to be complete in terms of supporting detail, the TA will forward it to Sprint Nextel, with a communication to both parties requesting that a negotiation schedule be established within 5 business days.
• The TA will monitor the progress of all negotiations. If an agreement is not reached within 60 calendar days (measured from the date the TA provides the request to Sprint Nextel) and the parties have not by then entered the mandatory negotiation period, the TA will recommend that the parties submit to TA mediation. If the parties have entered the mandatory negotiations period, then TA mediation will be mandatory

The TA will also be holding an online webinar on February 8th on the Request For Planning Funding Process.

See the announcement from PR Newswire here.

FCC Provides Additional Guidance To 800 Transition Administrator

It appears that some of the expressions of concern filed with the FCC regarding the progress of the 800 MHz Rebanding gained their attention.

In a letter from the FCC to the 800 Transition Administrator dated January 31st, the FCC provides some additional guidance to the TA on the Rebanding Timetable. The letter specifically mentions the RCC Rebanding Filing, among others and we are happy that the FCC is beginning to move forward on some of our concerns and recommendations.

An interesting item to note is the last bullet in the letter. This bullet states:

"Also at the conclusion of the Wave 1, Phase 1 mediation period, the TA shall provide the Wireless Bureau with its assessment of whether adjustments should be made to other elements of the TA's rebanding schedule. This assessment should include analysis of whether:

(1) changes should be made to the scheduled start of negotiations for future waves;
(2) particular NPSPAC regions should be moved from one wave to another;
(3) the schedule should be adjusted to accommodate negotiations between Sprint and public safety entities concerning planning funding; and
(4) the schedule should be adjusted to accommodate negotiation between Sprint and FA licensees who file new or modified elections in the 20-day election window mourned by the TA on January 11, 2006."

It will be interesting to see what if any recommendations the TA proposes after the conclusing of the Wave 1, Phase 1 mediation period. It is our hope that these recommendations will put the needs of the Public Safety community and those they serve as most important.

It is also our hope, that a similar letter providing guidance to Nextel and the T.A. as to Requests For Planning Funding is issued as well. Your comments to the FCC regarding this and other important issues still to be addressed will help provide the FCC with information and context needed to provide this guidance. Don't delay, submit your comments to the FCC even if it is only a paragraph. As this letter from the FCC proves, YOUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD!.

Click here to download a copy of the FCC's letter to the T.A.

Click here for information on how to comment to the FCC.