FCC Pushes Back 800 MHz Re-Tuning Deadline

The FCC has granted waivers to public safety agencies and Sprint Nextel, pushing back a June 26th deadline by 30 days to vacate certain 800 MHz frequencies as part of a huge spectrum re-tuning intended to reduce interference with public safety agency radio systems. According to a petition filed by several public safety agencies, over 550 of the approximately 900 licensees on so-called “NPSPAC” frequencies have told the FCC they will not be ready to retune by June 26th. The FCC granted their mass waiver request, prompting Sprint Nextel to also request a waiver. Now the FCC has agreed not to hold the company to the deadline, but FCC spokesperson Robert Kenny said, “We expect that Sprint and the public-safety community will continue to work together to ensure that the rebanding transition continues to go smoothly, with no major disruptions to the overall 800 MHz rebanding initiative.” Download (pdf) the Sprint Next waiver request here, and the FCC’s grant of the waiver request here.