NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS: September 11, 2007 Robert Kenny: (202) 418-2668 or robert.kenny@fcc.gov FCC ESTABLISHES NEW BENCHMARKS AND PROCEDURES TO EXPEDITE COMPLETION OF THE 800 MHz REBANDING PROCESS Washington DC – The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) today adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order and a companion Public Notice to expedite the 800 MHz rebanding process. Today’s actions reaffirm the Commission’s commitment to providing the public safety community with the communications tools they need to respond appropriately to emergencies and save lives. In today’s Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Commission determined that Sprint did not meet the interim 18-month rebanding benchmark established by prior orders, and established additional benchmarks to ensure that the rebanding process proceeds expeditiously. The Order also requires Sprint to complete clearing of all Channel 1-120 incumbents in non-border areas, other than Sprint and SouthernLINC, by December 26, 2007. In addition, Sprint must clear its own Channel 1-120 facilities, and those of SouthernLINC, within 90 days of a request by a public safety licensee to use those channels. For any public safety request made on or after January 1, 2008, Sprint will be required to clear the necessary spectrum within 60 days of the request. The Commission also affirmed that at the end of the 36-month transition period on June 26, 2008, Sprint must vacate its remaining spectrum in Channels 1-120, as well as other portions of the 800 MHz band that are to be made available to public safety in accordance with prior Commission orders. Under limited circumstances, Sprint may petition to remain on Channel 1- 120 channels. Finally, the Order granted requests by six National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) licensees in Georgia and Pennsylvania for additional time through March 2009 to complete rebanding because of their close proximity to incumbent analog broadcasters using TV Channel 69. The Commission allowed the petitioners to postpone their base station infrastructure retuning until after these broadcasters have vacated the spectrum as part of the nationwide digital television transition. -more- In the companion Public Notice adopted today, the Commission set forth new procedures and guidance to expedite the rebanding process for all parties involved, including public safety, Sprint, equipment vendors, and the 800 MHz Transition Administrator. Action by the Commission, September 11, 2007, by Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 07- 167) and Public Notice (FCC 07-168). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell. Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps and Tate. Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau Contacts: David Furth, (202) 418-0632 or David.Furth@fcc.gov; Roberto Mussenden, (202) 418-1428 or Roberto.Mussenden@fcc.gov. WT Docket No. 02-55 -FCC- News and other information about the Federal Communications Commission are available at www.fcc.gov.