Title
Resolution to Approve Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement with Nextel for the Re-Banding of the 800 MHz Radio System KNIY845
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor owns and operates a one site, ten channel SmartNet 800 MHz trunked voice radio system, licensed with the call sign KNIY845. The radio system is used to support public service operations for the City and various other agencies in Washtenaw County including the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Washtenaw County Operations and Washtenaw County Road Commission, and as a backup radio system to Washtenaw County’s Public Safety Radio System.
The City’s radio licenses in the 800 MHz band are affected by the "Rebanding" initiative mandated by the Federal Communications Commission in 2004. Many 800 MHz public licensees filed interference complaints with the FCC against Commercial Mobile Radio Service providers who also operate in the 800 MHz band. These Commercial Mobile Radio Service providers operate on frequencies interleaved closely with sections of the spectrum authorized to public safety/service licensees, including the City of Ann Arbor. To resolve the interference problem, the FCC acted on July 8, 2004, by adopting Report and Order, Fourth Report and Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order, and Order (FCC 04-168).
FCC 04-168 identifies numerous requirements, guidelines, best practices and boundaries for the rebanding effort. Included in these Report and Order documents are administration guidelines for reimbursement of rebanding costs and schedules. In order to facilitate, coordinate and mediate the rebanding of licensees and Commercial Mobile Radio Service providers, the FCC has authorized and commissioned the auspices of a Transition Administrator or TA. The TA has scheduled the rebanding transition into four nationwide "waves." The waves are comprised of groups of National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) regions. Ann Arbor is included in Region 21, which is in the fourth wave of license...
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