 |
|
|
News & Events
|
|
|
|
Press Releases
For Immediate Release
800 MHz Transition Administrator
c/o Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
8000 Towers Crescent Drive, 14th Floor
Tyson's Corner, VA 22182-2700 |
Contact: Nikki Diamantes
Phone: (888) 800-8220
E-mail: comments@800TA.org |
TA Publishes Template for Licensees to Use to Submit Requests for Waiver
of June 26, 2008 800 MHz Reconfiguration Deadline
January 18, 2008, Washington, D.C. —
On January 17, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice establishing procedures and providing guidance to 800 MHz licensees
regarding submission of requests for waiver of the June 26, 2008 deadline for completion of 800 MHz rebanding. The FCC's Public Notice stated that any
"800 MHz non-border licensee that will require additional time past June 26, 2008 to complete rebanding must request a waiver of the deadline" from the FCC's
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB).
Licensees submitting a request for waiver must be able to demonstrate that they have worked diligently and in good faith to complete rebanding expeditiously,
and that the additional time requested is no more than reasonably necessary to complete the rebanding process. The FCC recommends that licensees address several
factors in their requests - such as system size and complexity, interoperability, and steps already taken towards completing reconfiguration - as well as provide
a proposed timetable that includes the steps necessary for completing rebanding and the dates on which they will be completed.
The 800 MHz Transition Administrator, LLC (TA) has developed a template Request for Waiver, which includes a Waiver Request Information Form, for licensees to use
to provide this information. The template is available on the TA's website at www.800TA.org. The FCC recommends that licensees
use this template in preparing their requests.
In the Public Notice, the FCC established deadlines, staggered by wave, for licensees to file requests for waiver. Licensees in Waves 1 and 2 must file by March 17,
2008 and Wave 3 licensees and non-border Wave 4 licensees must file by April 15, 2008.
If a licensee has not executed a Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement (FRA) with Sprint Nextel by the applicable filing deadline, it should file an interim extension request.
The interim extension request should state when the licensee anticipates having an FRA and filing a final waiver request that will include a proposed timetable for completing rebanding.
Licensees may file requests for waiver with the PSHSB via email to PSHSB800@fcc.gov or pursuant to Section 1.925 of the FCC's rules (47 C.F.R. § 1.925). Licensees should send copies of the
requests to the TA (Waivers@800TA.org) and Sprint Nextel (800MHz@Sprint.com). The PSHSB will review and rule on the requests for waiver.
Licensees considering submitting a request for waiver should assess the progress of their reconfiguration activities in order to determine whether they need to seek an extension of the June 26, 2008 deadline. Licensees in the
following situations may need to file a request for waiver:
- FRA negotiations are not yet complete
- New channels will not be cleared by Sprint Nextel prior to June 26, 2008
- The licensee and its vendors will not be able to complete implementation by June 26, 2008
For complete guidance on requests for waiver, including the Request for Waiver template, please visit the TA's website at www.800TA.org.
For questions, contact the TA by phone at (888) 800-8220, by fax at (888) 701-4380, or via e-mail at comments@800TA.org.
About the 800 MHz Transition Administrator
800 MHz Transition Administrator, LLC ("TA LLC") is the Transition Administrator ("TA") for the reconfiguration of the 800 MHz band mandated by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"). TA LLC has contracted with BearingPoint, Inc., Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. and Baseline Telecom, Inc. to perform the duties of the TA. Among its duties, the TA establishes reconfiguration guidelines, specifies replacement channels, reviews reconfiguration cost estimates, monitors payment of reconfiguration costs, manages the relocation schedule, facilitates issue resolution and administers the alternative dispute resolution process. TA LLC uses information it receives solely for the purposes of administering the 800 MHz reconfiguration process and may disclose such information to the FCC or other authorized parties pursuant to the requirements of the 800 MHz Order or other applicable laws.
# # #
|
| |