*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 55458.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 DA 06- 526 March 3, 2006 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU REVISES 800 MHZ BAND RECONFIGURATION NEGOTIATION TIMETABLE FOR WAVE 4, PHASE 1 LICENSEES Voluntary Negotiation Period to Begin on July 3, 2006 WT Docket No. 02- 55 Pursuant to the Report and Order in this docket, 1 the 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) has established a schedule for negotiation of band reconfiguration by 800 MHz licensees in each of the fifty-five National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) regions. The Wireless Bureau approved the TA’s band reconfiguration schedule on March 11, 2005. 2 Under the schedule, the voluntary negotiation period for Wave 4, Phase 1 (Channel 1- 120) licensees is currently scheduled to begin on April 3, 2006. 3 However, the Commission has noted that the timing of Wave 4 could be affected by negotiations between the United States and Canada and Mexico regarding reconfiguration of 800 MHz channels in border areas. 4 Because the United States is engaged in ongoing discussions with both the Mexican and Canadian governments concerning 800 MHz border area issues, we are moving the start date for Wave 4, Phase 1 band reconfiguration from April 3, 2006, to July 3 2006. 5 We believe this adjustment to the schedule will further the 800 MHz band reconfiguration process by allowing more time for resolution of international border issues before Wave 4, Phase 1 licensees begin their negotiations. We emphasize that this action does not affect the 36- month timeline for completion of 800 MHz rebanding as provided in the 800 MHz R& O. 1 See Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band, Report and Order, WT Docket No. 02- 55, 19 FCC Rcd 14969 (2004) (Report and Order). See also Supplemental Order and Order on Reconsideration, WT Docket No. 02- 55, 19 FCC Rcd 25120 (2004) (Supplemental Order). See also, Memorandum Opinion and Order, WT Docket No. 02- 55, FCC 05- 174, released October 5, 2005. 2 See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Approves the Basic Reconfiguration Schedule Put Forth in the Transition Administrator’s 800 MHz Regional Prioritization Plan, Public Notice, 20 FCC Rcd 5159 (WTB 2005) (TA Plan PN). 3 TA Plan PN at 2. 4 See Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd at 15061 ¶¶ 175- 176. 5 Accordingly, the Wave 1, Phase 1 voluntary negotiation period will run from July 3, 2006 to October 2, 2006; the mandatory negotiation period will run from October 3, 2006 to January 2, 2007; and the 30 working day mediation period will commence on January 3, 2007. We also postpone the start of the freeze on filing of applications for Wave 4 non- NPSPAC channels until June 3, 2006. 1 2 Action by the Chief, Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. – FCC – 2 3 APPENDIX NPSPAC Regions Assigned to Wave 4 NPSPAC Region Description of Region 1 1 Alaska 3 Arizona 5 California (Southern) 21 Michigan 29 New Mexico 30 Eastern Upstate NY 33 Ohio 36 Western PA 43 Washington 50 Texas (West & Central-Midland area) 53 Texas (Southern- San Antonio area) 55 Western Upstate NY 1 Regions that are only a portion of a state or states are defined by counties. A list of the counties in each of these regions can be accessed at http:// www. fcc. gov/ Bureaus/ Wireless/ Orders/ 1998/ fcc98191. txt. 3