800 MHz Interference Issue & Rebanding

Beginning in early 2000, several public safety agencies using 800 MHz trunked radio systems discovered that mobile communications were sometimes disrupted--a mobile or or portable radio could not receive or transmit in certain geographic areas. The cause of the interference was initially mystifying--there seemed to be no problem with the trunked systems or their coverage area (see a chart of sites that suffered interference].

After some investigation, it was discovered that the interference was related to the nearby commercial radio transmitter sites operated by commercial radio companies, in most cases the wireless carrier Nextel. During 2001 the number of interference reports increased, and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) formed a task force to both verify the cause of the reported problems, and help devise a solution. In Nov. 2000 a working group of experts from APCO, the Cellular Telephone and Internet Association (CTIA), Nextel, Motorola and the Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN) issued a "Best Practices Guide" (pdf) to avoiding interference between public safety and commercial services in the 800 MHz band.

In Nov. 2001 Nextel filed a White Paper with the FCC proposing a large-scale reorganization of the existing 800 MHz

frequency allocations (public safety and other users) in order to reduce or eliminate interference in the band. The reorganization would essentially clear out two contiguous blocks of spectrum, and give one to public safety and the other to commercial users. The White Paper also proposed frequency give-ups by Nextel, and the allocation of new frequencies in another band to Nextel. Lastly, the White Paper pledged $500 million fund from Nextel to help public safety agencies relocated to the new allocations.

After Nextel's proposal there was a constant stream of actions and reaction from the public safety and private wireless communities, including new individual proposals and ideas:

Then in July 2004 the FCC issued its long-anticiipated decision on the issue, collected below, to reorganize the 800 MHz band.

Reference Documents on FCC Order

On July 8, 2004 the FCC issued its decision on the entire matter of 800 MHz interference. Read our news report on the decision, and also download these other materials in Acrobat (pdf) format. Press release on FCC's 800 transition Order Commissioner Statements: Powell / Abernathy / Copps / Adelstein Background Information Diagram of current and FCC-proposed 800 MHz band configuration
Statements by Verizon Wireless, First Response Coalition	Nextel's first response to FCC R&O (pdf, 8.2 Mb)
FCC Accepts Committee Recommendation for Transition Administrator (pdf)	Transition Administrator Rates (pdf)
Quick Reference Guide (pdf)	FCC's Supplemental Report & Order (pdf)
Rebanding Prioritization Plan (pdf)	Transition Administrator slides on the rebanding process (pdf 950k)
Implementation ("wave") plan and schedule	Two companies petition for removal of Bearingpoint on grounds of undisclosed financial relationship between Bearingpoint and Nextel (pdf)
Bearingpoint response to motion for removal (pdf)	Transition Administrator, reconfiguration overview (pdf)
Reconfiguration Handbook, by TA (pdf)

Reference Web Sites

800 Transition Administrator - best source of official and current information on rebanding On-line reference guide
800 MHz Rebanding Resource - what's required of the various participants, and an extensive list of links to other resources.	Motorola - good summary of FCC's Order, along with the company's offered services for actually performing the rebanding
APCO - info / news page	FCC - full information, including excellent timeline, deadlines, etc.
M/A-Com - fact sheet and links Acrobat presentation [pdf]	Motorola - info for their customers, but also general information
RCC Consulting - Web page of information and resources

Nextel's original Nov. 2001 White Paper (pdf) that proposed the rebanding.

In March 2002 the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on 800 MHz interference, available for download:

Press release about NPRM [Acrobat, pdf format]
Full text of FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking [Acrobat, pdf version, 490k]
Statement of Commissioner Abernathy
Statement of Commissioner Martin
Statement of Commissioner Copps

Major Actions

We've listed the major actions and FCC filings here, indicating the "biggies" with a . Also check the following sections for additional resources about the issue.

This link, searches the FCC's entire database of filed comments on the Nextel plan and Consensus Proposal, and displays a list of them for download--over 400 submissions so far.
In April 2002 attorney Alan Tilles authored an alternative band re-configuration. [slides in Acrobat, pdf] [graphic of band plan]
In June 2002 Nextel partnered with Giuliani Partners to focus on the 800 MHz interference issue. [press release]
U.S. Rep Billy Tauzin, chairman of the House Committe on Energy and Commerce, wrote a letter to FCC chair Michael Powell asking for information on the issue.
On July 22, 2002 Nextel announced the formation of The PSAP Readiness Fund, to "coordinate the dissemination of $25 million to the public safety community to improve wireless enhanced 911 (E-911) services across the country." [press release]
On August 7, 2002 a group of several associations and agencies submitted to the FCC what they called a "Consensus Proposal," providing other options for reducing interference. On Sept. 9, 2002 the FCC issued a call for formal comments on the proposal. [see our page about the Consensus Proposal]
The deadline for comments on Nextel's proposal (and the Consensus Proposal) was Sept. 23, 2002. Many companies, agencies and associations filed comments in the days before the deadline, including Southern LINC, whose submission encompassed most of the arguments that others have made about the Consensus Proposal. [Acrobat, pdf format, 267k]
In Dec. 2002 a group of public safety agencies, the Border Area Coalition, met with the FCC to outline their ideas for preventing inteference in the 800 MHz band. [Acrobat, pdf, 1 Mb]
The "Consensus Parties" submitted another 150 pages of comments to the FCC on their proposal. [Acrobat, pdf, 3.1 Mb] 12-24-2002
The FCC asks for coments on the supplemental Consensus Plan submitted on Dec. 24th. [Acrobat, pdf] 1-3-2003
The CTIA submitted its 21-pages of comments to the FCC on the supplemental "Consensus Proprosal." [Acrobat, pdf, 961k] 2-13-2003
Nextel files "ex parte" material related to their original proposal. [Acrobat, pdf format, 224k] 4-22-2003
Motorola filed papers indicating success in solving interference using new technologies and methods. [Acrobat, pdf format, 85k] 5-6-2003
Nextel files response to Motorola's alleged technical solution to the inteference problem. 5-21-2003 [Acrobat, pdf, 2 Mb]
Something called the "800 MHz Users Group" has filed what it calls a "Balanced Plan" to the inteference issue. [Acrobat, pdf] 5-29-2003
Lucent Technologies filed a short brief on the Nextel plan. [Acrobat, pdf] 6-3-2003
Motorola posted a slide show they presented to FCC staffers on interference reduction. [Acrobat, pdf] 6-3-2003
Motorola files additional explanation with the FCC about its technical proposal to the interference issue. [Acrobat, pdf] 6-26-2003
Nextel files additional explanation that "case-by-case reactive approaches" don't solve interference problem. [Acrobat, pdf] 7-2-2003
Latest Nextel list of 800 MHz inteference reported to the company. [Acrobat, pdf, 1.5 Mb] 7-2-2003
The Consensus Parties have filed an 81-page document with the FCC offering revised proposals for their original document, designed to solve issues raised since the document was first issued. [Acroabt, pdf] 8-8-2003
Nextel submitted two charts to the FCC showing how much interference would be reduced under their "Enhanced Consensus Plan." [Acrobat, pdf] 9-8-2003
Nextel filed with the FCC an internal document the company uses to guide the process of receiving and processing radio interference reports. [Acrobat, pdf] 10-24-2003
Verizon Wireless submits a 156-page consultants' study to the FCC on, "Determination Of The Fair Market Value Of The Certain Portions Of FCC Licensed Wireless Spectrum Proposed For Realignment By Nextel Communications, Inc." [Acrobat, pdf, 2.9 Mb] 10-28-2003
Nextel files 81-page study by a Dr. Kostas Liopiros, Ph.D. that claims the Consensus Plan benefits outweight the implementation costs, and that no licensee receives a "windfall" spectrum benefit. [Acrobat, pdf, 3.8 Mb] 11-20-2003
Nextel files 31-page study by Dr. Gregory Rosston on the cost vs. benefits of the Consensus Plan. [Acrobat, pdf, 1.1 Mb] 11-20-2003
Motorola publishes a Technical Appendix on the issue of 800 MHz interference, providing a very comprehensive view of the band and interference issues. [Acrobat, pdf] 12-29-2003
The CTIA has cranked up a Web site to post information about the Balanced Approach, and how it compares to the Consensus Proposal. 1-22-2004
Verizon files a rebuttal with FCC over Nextel's filing that disputed Verizon's valuation of the Consensus Plan (you read that right!) [Acrobat] 2-23-2004
Nextel issues "statement" rebutting some Verizon statements. 2-26-2004
Verizon offers to bid $5 billion on 10 MHz of spectrum in the 1.9 GHz band that Nextel requested as part of its original proposal [Acrobat] 4-8-2004
Nextel submits letter to FCC about Verizon's $5b offer and possible use of 2.1 GHz [Acrobat] 4-22-2004
The CTIA filed a "compromise" plan with the FCC to reorganize the 800 MHz band. [Acrobat] 4-29-2004
Nextel files answers to certain FCC questions on the realignment [Acrobat] 9-21-2004
Nextel files letter asking for revised interim interference protection standards [Acrobat] 9-30-2004
FCC sends letter to all 800 MHz license holders explaining upcoming reconfiguration of the band [Acrobat] 3-10-2005
Transition Administrator issues exact dates for first wave of rebanding [Acrobat] 5-27-2005
Transition Administrator issues quarterly progress report [pdf] 8-17-2005
FCC issues Memorandum & Order on various petitions and a waiver request. [pdf] 10-6-2005
Preferred Communications Systems Inc. requests stay of rebanding, Nextel files opposition., APCO files opposition. [pdf] 11-11-2005
FCC turns down request for stay of 800 MHz rebanding submitted by Preferred Communications (see above). [pdf] 2-1-2006
Nextel proposes changes to the process to streamline returning. [pdf] 4-24-2007
FCC issues new benchmarks to expedite the rebanding process. [pdf] 9-12-2007

Other Resources

Nextel created a Web site in August 2003 to promote the Consensus Proposal. It includes state-by-state maps of interference locations.

APCO organized a formal project to study the interference issue--Project 39, and a list of interference reports.

Check Nextel's diagrams on the history of 800 MHz allocations, and their White Paper proposal

Press release from APCO in reaction to Nextel's White Paper filing

This chart detailing Nextel's proposal appeared in our printed magazine

This chart from a private Web site shows interference sites

APCO has released an Interim Report to the FCC on the 800 MHz inteference issue. It includes a complete listing of sites reporting interference. [Acrobat, pdf 976k]

White Paper prepared by consultants CTA Communications for Fauquier County (Virg.) to help in evaluating the plans for 800 MHz trunked radio system.

The American Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has scheduled seminars to discuss the Nextel frequency plan, and this collection of (slightly) outdated news.

This graphic appeared in the Interim Report submitted by APCO to the FCC, and shows the close proximity of public safety frequencies to commercial allocations, as depicted on a spectrum analyzer using off-the-air measurements.

The Web site for this legal firm has a discussion of Nextel's plan--and some criticism.

The Private Wireless Coalition submitted a plan to relocated public safety to the 700 MHz band. [Acrobat, pdf, 176k]. 5-6-2002

APCO attorney Robert Gurss wrote a letter to 800 MHz license holders about the situation. [Acrobat, pdf, 107k] 8-28-2002

Gurss also presented an educational session at the 2002 annual APCO conference on the subject. You can download his Acrobat (pdf) slide show. [1.1 Mb] 8-28-2002

The following e-mail lists also actively follow the 800 MHz interference issue, and participants frequently post their viewpoints--pro and con. You can participate or just search the archives for past exchanges. 9-2002

Yahoo Groups - 800 MHz Inteference
Yahoo Groups - Private Wireless Forum

In Sept. 2002 Motorola gave a presentation to the FCC on technical methods of reducing inteference in the band. [Acrobat, pdf, 1 Mb] [interference diagram] 9-19-2002

Mobile Radio Technology magazine has a entire page of stories and links about the issue. 9-30-2002

The law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery examined documents filed with the FCC to compile a list of those who support and don't support the Consensus Proposal. 4-22-2003

Nextel filed some additional explanation of their original reorganization plan, in the form of a slide presentation. [Acrobat, pdf, 2 Mb] 4-29-2003

APCO files papers with the FCC explaining, among other things, how its interference database should be interpreted. [Acrobat, pdf] 6-11-2003

The city of Denver filed a long paper that studies their interference problems. [Acrobat, pdf] 6-15-2003

The FCC issued a Report to Congress on spectrum management activity, and the report includes loads of interesting information on the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands. 6-20-2003

The Cellular Telephone and Internet Association (CTIA) gave a presentation to the FCC explaining their position on the 800 MHz inteference issue. [Acrobat, pdf, 507k] 6-25-2003

An "ex parte" letter to the FCC includes information on the city of Philadelphia's experience with 800 MHz interference. [Acrobat, pdf] 6-25-2003

The United Telecom Council has filed information with the FCC on the "Consensus' Plan $850 Million Mirage," which debunks the funding estimates. [Acrobat, pdf] 8-8-2003

Nextel met with FCC staff, and offered these slides and information. [Acrobat, pdf, 3.2 Mb] 9-16-2003

Pericle Communications Co. has posted a 45-slide presentation on 800 MHz interference in Denver. [Acrobat, pdf, 473k] 9-22-2003

The city of Denver (Colo.) gave FCC staffers a presentation on their 800 MHz interference problem. [Acrobat, pdf] 9-22-2003

Motorola submits answers to FCC on the number of radios requiring retuning or replacment under the various 800 MHz plans. [Acrobat, pdf] 11-5-2003

Nextel and the city of Denver signed a "Spectrum Swap Agreement" to help reduce interference to the city's M/A-Com 800 MHz radio system. [Acrobat, pdf] 11-7-2003

The CTIA filed a 13-page paper with the FCC stating, "The 'Consensus Plan' spectrum grant proposal violates well-established licensing policy and qualifies neither as a 'channel swap' nor as a 'license modification.'" [Acrobat, pdf] 12-8-2003

Nextel files papers with the FCC stating the FCC does have the legal authority to accept the Consensus Plan (see line above). [Acrobat, pdf] 12-16-2003

Nextel files 20 pages of response to questions raised by the FCC after an ex-parte meeting on 800 MHz inteference (interesting read!) [Acrobat, pdf] 12-22-2003

CTIA slide presentation to the FCC on Consensus Plan. [Acrobat, pdf] 12-22-2003

City of San Diego proposes 800 MHz solution for their region [Acrobat] 12-24-2003

Denver submits document to FCC detailing AT&T Wireless inteference in 800 MHz band. [Acrobat, pdf] 12-30-2003

Denver posts updated slides on 800 MHz interference problem. [Acrobat, pdf, 480k] 1-22-2004

Denver files an updated with the FCC on their interference problems and work with Nextel. [Acrobat] 3-5-2004

Nextel files additional charts & graphs with FCC. (Acrobat) 3-11-2004

Southern Linc comments on Nextel's latest proposals. [Acrobat] 4-5-004

Nextel files ex parte letter saying the FCC has no legal authority to conduct a private sale of spectrum in the 1.9 GHz band. [Acrobat] 4-12-2004

Investment company UBS Securities LLC published a 24-page document that analyzes Nextel's proposal, and Verizon's $5 billion bid for the 1.9 GHz spectrum [Acrobat] 4-24-2004

Nextel's agrees to pay $512 million to relocate TV broadcasters from the 1.9 GHz band if it's granted spectrum there in connection with the Consensus Plan. [Acrobat] 5-4-2003

The CTIA files a rebuttal with the FCC about Nextel's negative reaction to the CTIA's earlier 2.1 GHz proposal. [Acrobat] 5-8-2004

Nextel's CEO Timothy Donahue writes the FCC saying 2.1 GHz frequencies aren't an option. [4 Mb bloated 3-page letter] 5-13-2004

CTIA files letter with FCC giving "final" thoughts on the 800 MHz issue. [Acrobat] 5-13-2004

Nextel files papers summarizing their financial support of the Consensus Plan, and offer of an additional 2 MHz of 800 MHz spectrum. [Acrobat] [full offer] 6-22-2004

Verizon responds to latest Nextel proposal to provide additional 2 MHz of spectrum as part of 800 MHz reorganization. [Acrobat] 6-4-2004

Verizon submits letters of opposition from various groups and associations. [Acrobat] 6-8-2004

Nextel rather sharply responds to Southern Linc's April 5th filing [Acrobat] 6-14-2004

Southern Linc fires back at Nextel's criticism of Southern Linc's position on 800 MHz [Acrobat] 6-24-2004

The PR/lobbying firm The Hastings Group issues a White Paper attributed to "The First Response Coalition" on 800 MHz reorganization, strangely tying it to interoperability. [Acrobat] 6-24-2004

Verizon submits letter suggesting Commissioners may be subject to criminal penalties if they approve the Nextel plan. [Acrobat] 6-29-2004

First Response Coalition posts Web site, White Paper on interoperability and 1.9 GHz 8-5-2004

Alan Tilles 65-page summary of the FCC's 800 MHz Order (Yahoo groups reg. required) [Acrobat] 8-30-2004

Motorola presentation on 800 MHz rebanding given at NAPCO meeting (pdf) 10-20-2004

A group of wireless carriers has created a Web page to accept interference reports 4-4-2005

Explanation of 2007 auction of 700 MHz spectrum band (pdf) 4-2007

The Nextel Proposal

The following diagram, taken from the Best Practices Guide (pdf), demonstrates the interleaving of commercial and public safety frequency allocations in the 800 MHz band-- public safety allocations are depicted in light yellow, SMR in light blue, business in green and industrial in orange. [larger version of diagram] As you can see, the primary interference is occurring on 70 channels in the 810 to 816 MHz and 854 to 861 MHz bands. Other public safety allocations (821-824 MHz and 866-869 MHz) are not interleaved with commercial allocations and apparently don't have interference problems. Also view Nextel's diagrams of previous year's 800 MHz allocations, and their current proposal.

At the August 2001 annual conference of APCO in Salt Lake City, Nextel co-founder Morgan O'Brien gave a speech during the closing banquet, and said he had been tasked with the job of coming up with a solution any interference his company was causing to public safety systems. He promised a long-term solution--and on Nov. 21, 2001 his company announced a far-ranging frequency reallocation scheme that the company feels would reduce interference. The company submitted a White Paper to the FCC with the details of the plan, accompanied by endorsements from the APCO task force and several local public safety agencies. [full story on O'Brien's speech]

Here are the key points of Nextel's original proposal to the FCC:

The plan moves Nextel and other carriers out of areas of the 800 MHz band where they are interleaved with public safety, and creates larger, contiguous allocations devoted to just Nextel or public safety, thereby reducing the chances for adjacent channel interference.
None of the involved services (public safety, business, SMR, industrial, etc.) will experience a net gain or loss of frequencies.
The plan essentially splits the two existing, paired18 MHz allocations into two parts: public safety is allocated the lower 10 MHz of each band (806-816 MHz and 851-861 MHz, channel 1-400), while the upper 8 MHz would be assigned to commercial services (816-824 MHz and 861-869 MHz, channels 401-720).
This plan would give public safety a 10 MHz allocation adjacent to the new 12 MHz allocation in the 700 MHz band (795-806 MHz), thereby creating a 22 MHz contiguous allocation (794 to 816 MHz) for public safety (see diagram below).
The current public safety allocations in the upper part of the band (821-824 MHz and 866-869 MHz) would be assigned to commercial services.
Nextel's "gain" of frequencies comes mostly from the 2.1 GHz band allocated by the FCC for so-called "emerging technologies," which includes third-generation (3G) communications services. Nextel likely considers this reallocation a "reward" for making concessions to public safety.
The plan would redesignate 4 MHz of the 5 MHz of SMR spectrum at 900 MHz (896/901 MHz and 934-940 MHz) now licensed to Nextel to traditional co-primary commercial services.
Another 4 MHz of spectrum at 700 MHz now assigned to guard bands (762/764 MHz to 792/794 MHz) would be reassigned to commercial services.

We have summarized the basics of the plan in the diagram below, and include the text of the press release that Nextel issued. Also check our chart of public safety frequency allocations and 700 MHz band assignments.