The Federal Communications Commission's order calling for Nextel to end interference in 800MHz public safety communications — and to put up $4.8 billion for rebanding — is moving forward. Re-tuning is likely to begin early this year.

The FCC published its order in the Federal Register on Nov. 22, starting the clock ticking on Nextel's decision on whether to agree to it. Nextel has until Feb. 7 to announce its decision. In any case, the order will become effective Jan. 21. Nextel has 105 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register to meet the financial criteria set forth by the FCC.

“We believe Nextel wants to say yea or nay and may do so before Jan. 21,” said Alan Caldwell, government relations director of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “But even if they don't, [the FCC order] will go into effect. It just won't be implemented.”

According to reports in Mobile Radio Technology, most analysts believe Nextel will agree to the terms of the FCC order because the wireless carrier needs the contiguous spectrum at 800MHz and 1.9GHz it would receive through rebanding to offer advanced wireless services. In November, Nextel and its rival Verizon Wireless reached a settlement and the Government Accountability Office returned a favorable report on the FCC order, so legal issues aren't expected to be a problem.

If Nextel agrees, virtually all public safety radios operating in the 800MHz band will be re-tuned and Nextel will pay the costs. Nextel will have three years to complete the rebanding process.

“You can state with 90-plus-percent certainty, if you're public safety and you've got an 800MHz radio band, you're going to be affected by the [FCC's] order,” said Caldwell. “It's not something you can think about; it's mandatory. You will be re-tuned.”

The FCC has retained an independent “transition administrator” to oversee implementation of the administrative and financial aspects and to ensure band reconfiguration is achieved with minimal disruption to licensees, particularly public safety.

Caldwell said the staff of the transition administrator had already begun to make contact with major public safety organizations and plans to begin an outreach program in January. The IAFC will be funneling outreach information to the fire service. “Beginning in January, there's going to be a pretty good information flow on what's going on and what needs to be done, so people will need to stay tuned to that,” Caldwell said. (Check the IAFC Web site at www.iafc.org.)

The transition administrator will schedule organizations for re-tuning, detail what's expected of them, how to apply and how to get paid, Caldwell said.

The FCC's order does not affect new equipment purchases, but if you have 800MHz equipment, you might want to examine your communications systems for opportunities to make improvements concurrently during the re-tuning process. “Nextel is only going to pay for re-tuning; there's no gold-plating in this, but departments can take the opportunity of the disruption — and it is a major disruption to any department to have to re-tune — to do some proactive things,” said Caldwell.