800 MHz Rebanding Project

In 2005, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that all 800 MHz systems in the United States be modified to eliminate cell phone interference with public safety communications.  The FCC appointed a Transition Administrator (TA) to manage the scope of the nationwide project.  As part of a legal settlement, Sprint/Nextel is paying all costs related to the project.
The TA put forth a plan to complete the project in four "Waves" spanning a total of 5 years.  Milwaukee County was assigned to participate in the first "Wave."  In the case of Milwaukee County, all radio frequencies will be moved or rebanded down 15 MHz.

There are essentially three major steps to this project.  The first is the Planning/Negotiation Phase, followed by the Implementation Phase and finally ending with the Closeout/Audit Phase.
A resolution has been adopted by the County Board of Supervisors and signed by the County Executive that authorizes Milwaukee County to negotiate with Sprint/Nextel to accomplish the required work for the project.  In addition, a Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from municipal police and fire departments, as well as various Milwaukee County departments, was formed to represent the stakeholders and ensure successful outcomes for this project.
The objectives for this project include:

• To eliminate cell phone communications interference by changing our broadcasting frequencies in the 800 MHz spectrum
• To prepare the necessary legal documents covering costs and liabilities to negotiate with Sprint/Nextel and to have the Transition Administrator agree to same
• Includes retuning, reprogramming and/or replacing all subscriber units and tower site hardware to broadcast on the new frequencies
• To successfully complete the FCC audit at the end of the project's implementation phase

800 MHz Radio System Description 

Go to http://800ta.org/ for more information from the Transition Administrator about the 800 MHz Rebanding Project.