To prepare public safety licensees and the wireless industry for the likely rebanding of 800MHz systems in accordance with the July 8th order by the Federal Communications Commission, the International Wireless Communications Expo is hosting a series of one-day seminars in different locations across the country.

“IWCE’s 800MHz Traveling Road Show” will offer the facts about how the rebanding will work for everyone involved. “Presenters will include those involved in every phase of drafting, planning and implementing efforts to eliminate interference in the band. This will also be an excellent networking opportunity, with licensees having the opportunity to meet with radio dealers and engineers that are interested in performing re-banding work,” according to IWCE.

Workshops are currently scheduled in New Orleans (Oct. 22), the District of Columbia (Oct. 26), St. Louis, (Oct. 29) Orlando (Fla.) (Nov. 5) and Las Vegas (Nov. 15).

Preregistration is required. For more details, see the Traveling Road Show page at IWCE.

The FCC issued its unanimous order July 8, approving the major components of the Consensus Plan to resolve the problem of interference to public safety radio systems operating in the 800MHz band. The International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff’s Association, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International Inc. and other major public safety organizations endorse the FCC's decision, made after two years of deliberation.

Under the FCC order, Nextel would pay at least $3.2 billion to reband all users in the 800 MHz band and contribute 8.5 MHz of spectrum—valued at $1.6 billion—to public safety in the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands.

Nextel has not agreed to the FCC plan, and it still faces several potential challenges. The U.S. General Accounting Office is reported to be preparing to issue a report this month on whether the FCC overstepped its authority in the rebanding order. Many believe the GAO’s opinion will be the most serious challenge to the FCC’s order.

The FCC, however, is proceeding with the federal process necessary to enforce its ruling. It issued a preliminary report and order on the Consensus Plan on Aug. 6 and is expected to publish the R&O in the Federal Register this month. Once published in the Federal Register, the ruling will become effective within 60 days.

According to the IAFC, the R&O is consistent with the FCC’s decision of July 8 to largely adopt the Consensus Plan. A summary of the relevant portions of the order prepared by IAFC legal counsel is available on the IAFC Web site at www.iafc.org/government/documents/FCCRandOon800MHz.pdf.