The Federal Communications Commission has launched a Web site to update users on the status of the rebanding effort.

In November, the FCC published in the Federal Register its order for Nextel to reband the 800MHz spectrum to solve the problem of interference in public safety radio communications, requiring thousands of system relocations. All FCC licensees that are on 800MHz radio systems will be affected by the order.

Although Nextel Communications has not agreed to the terms of the FCC's order and doesn't have to make a decision until Feb. 7, FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Chief John Muleta said officials believed it is important that the agency offer a “repository of information” online about the rebanding process, according to a report in Mobile Radio Technology magazine, published by the owners of Fire Chief.

Muleta noted that 40,000 public safety entities would be affected by rebanding, and not all of them have been able to send a representative to FCC informational sessions regarding the complex effort.

FCC International Bureau Chief Donald Abelson said that officials in Canada and Mexico have been alerted to the rebanding, which will require changes in international treaties to be implemented along the borders. Abelson expects talks at the State Department level to begin “quite soon.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect Internet address for the Transition Administrator's Web site. The site at www.800mhzrebanding.com is sponsored by the law firm of Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A.