The Federal Communications Commission has announced that 800Mhz band reconfigurations will begin June 27 in about 15 areas across the United States designated as National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee "Wave 1" regions.

The notice follows the FCC's Report and Order in July 2004 to begin reconfiguration of the 800Mhz band to eliminate interference with public safety communications. The transition will take place in four NPSAC Waves.

As part of the 800 MHz band reconfiguration process, the FCC issues a public notice 30 days before reconfiguration is scheduled to start in each NPSPAC region.

"Each such Public Notice will specify a three-month voluntary negotiation period during which time identified licensees in the regions being reconfigured are encouraged to reach agreement with Nextel on the details of relocating.6 The voluntary negotiation period would be followed by a three-month mandatory negotiation period, if necessary," says the FCC notice.

For more information, see the FCC's 800 MHz band
reconfiguration Web page.