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Border Regions - Canada
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U.S. - Canada Border Region
Latest News
Frequency Proposal Reports for Canadian Border Region Stage 2 Licensees: As of February 9, 2009, the TA has mailed Frequency Proposal Reports (FPRs) to all Stage 2 (public safety) licensees, for frequencies that were authorized by permanent licenses as of December 1, 2008.
If you have questions regarding your FPRs, please contact the TA at CanadaQuestions@800TA.org.
If a Stage 2 licensee received its proposed replacement frequencies after January 15, 2009, its cost estimate should be submitted to Sprint Nextel within 90, 100, or 110 days from the date of receipt of the FPR, depending upon the number of subscriber units in the system.
If a licensee obtains a new Special Temporary Authorization (STA) for new facilities that will be included in its reconfiguration and for which it has not received replacement frequencies, it should notify the TA by sending an email to CanadaQuestions@800TA.org. The TA will send the licensee an FPR with proposed replacement frequencies for the frequencies covered by the STA.
The TA encourages Canadian border region licensees to move forward with their planning or negotiation activities (as applicable) and to contact the TA at comments@800TA.org if they require assistance as they advance through the reconfiguration process.
Overview
On May 9, 2008, the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) released a Second Report and Order that establishes a reconfigured 800 MHz band plan in the U.S.-Canada border regions. It provided for a 30-month transition period for the rebanding in those border regions, including expedited timelines for planning, negotiations, and mediation. The planning and negotiation phase is expected to last approximately seven to eight months, leaving 22 to 23 months for the reconfiguration implementation phase.
On October 10, 2008, the PSHSB released a Public Notice announcing that the 30-month transition period for 800 MHz Band Reconfiguration in regions along the U.S.-Canada border will commence on October 14, 2008 and end on April 14, 2011. In the Public Notice, the FCC also froze the acceptance of applications for 800 MHz licenses in the U.S.-Canada border regions until July 1, 2009.
TA's Implementation Plan and Timetable
The TA filed its Implementation Plan and Timetable For The Reconfiguration Of The 800 MHz Band In The U.S.-Canada Border Regions (Implementation Plan) with the FCC on October 1, 2008. The PSHSB approved the Implementation Plan on October 10, 2008. The Implementation Plan sets forth the timing and sequence for reconfiguration planning, negotiations, and implementation for Canadian border region licensees. It incorporates the guidance, band plans, and reconfiguration sequencing the FCC set forth in the Second Report and Order and takes into account both variations in border region band plans and the specific steps required in each border region to implement the relocation of licensees. The Implementation Plan establishes two stages for the reconfiguration of Canadian border licensees, based upon the type of licensee, rather than the frequencies a licensee will be reconfiguring. Stage 1 includes non-public safety licensees, such as Business, Industrial and Land Transportation (B/ILT) and Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees. Stage 2 is comprised of both NPSPAC and non-NPSPAC public safety licensees.
The following table shows the key dates for reconfiguration of licensees in the Canadian border regions that were set forth in the Implementation Plan.
| WAVE 4 - Canadian Border Region Key Dates |
| Licensee Stage/Planning Funding Requested |
RFPF Latest Submission Date |
PFA Planning Start Date/TA Designated Date |
Cost Estimate Due Date
Licensees with < 5,000 Units |
Cost Estimate Due Date
Licensees with 5,001-10,000 Units |
Cost Estimate Due Date
Licensees with > 10,000 Units |
Stage 1 or Stage 2 Licensees Requesting Planning Funding
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October 14, 2008
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The later of TA approval of the PFA, or receipt of FPR(s)
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90 Days from the planning start date
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100 Days from the planning start date
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110 Days from the planning start date
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Stage 1 Licensees Without PFAs
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N/A
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October 14, 2008
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January 12, 2009
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January 22, 2009
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February 1, 2009
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Stage 2 Licensees Without PFAs
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N/A
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January 15, 2009
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April 15, 2009
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April 27, 2009
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May 5, 2009
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Who Needs to Reconfigure? To Where?
Many 800 MHz systems in the U.S.-Canada border regions will be required to relocate to new frequencies as part of the transition from the current band plan to the new band plan. For a description of the general guidelines about where licensees will relocate to and for more detailed information on the specific band plans for the eight geographic regions along the U.S.-Canada border, you may review the FCC's Second Report and Order, specifically, paragraphs 7 and 43 through 45 and Appendices C-1 through C-4. You may also review the TA's Implementation Plan.
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Map of the U.S. - Canada Border Region
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Figure 1:
U.S. - Canada Border Region
Enlarge > |
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Frequency Proposal Reports and Frequency Planning
A Frequency Proposal Report (FPR) is a report provided by the 800 MHz TA that identifies a licensee's frequencies designated for reconfiguration and provides the proposed replacement frequencies and other information to assist licensees in the 800 MHz band reconfiguration process. If you have questions regarding your FPRs, please contact the TA at CanadaQuestions@800TA.org.
Stage 1 (B/ILT and SMR) Licensees: The TA provided Canadian border region Stage 1 licensees with FPRs in October 2008. For additional information on the FPRs for Stage 1 licensees please review the Frequency Proposal Report Fact Sheet for B/ILT/SMR Call Signs in the Canada Border Regions.
Stage 2 (Public Safety) Licensees: To identify the most appropriate replacement frequencies for Canadian border region Stage 2 licensees, the TA coordinated information gathering and planning with the 800 MHz NPSPAC Regional Planning Committees, public safety licensees, and Sprint Nextel. The TA began mailing FPRs to Stage 2 licensees in November 2008. As of February 9, 2009, the TA has mailed FPRs to all Stage 2 licensees for frequencies that were authorized by permanent licenses as of December 1, 2008. Information about the FPRs for Stage 2 licensees is available in the Frequency Proposal Report Fact Sheet for Public Safety Call Signs in the Canadian Border Regions.
If a Stage 2 licensee received its proposed replacement frequencies after January 15, 2009, its cost estimate should be submitted to Sprint Nextel within 90, 100, or 110 days from the date of receipt of the FPR, depending upon the number of subscriber units in the system.
If a licensee obtains a new Special Temporary Authorization (STA) for new facilities that will be included in its reconfiguration and for which it has not received replacement frequencies, it should notify the TA by sending an email to CanadaQuestions@800TA.org. The TA will send the licensee an FPR with proposed replacement frequencies for the frequencies covered by the STA.
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Elections
Expansion Band Election: Public safety licensees that are located on Expansion Band frequencies (815-816/860-861 MHz) in Canadian Border Regions 7A and 8 or that are adjacent to the border area, but are undergoing reconfiguration as part of the Canadian border reconfiguration, may elect to remain on their Expansion Band frequencies. There is no Expansion Band in Canadian Border Regions 1-6. Eligible licensees are encouraged to submit an Expansion Band Election as soon as they make a determination. To make this election, licensees should complete and submit an Expansion Band Election Form, which is available on the Reconfiguration Forms webpage.
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How Should I Prepare for Reconfiguration?
Licensees in the Canadian border regions that have not received an FPR are encouraged to proceed with planning activities to the extent that they are not frequency-dependent and would not result in unnecessary duplication of costs. The TA will approve reasonable and prudent expenses associated with such activities for reimbursement; however, any costs must be negotiated with and approved by Sprint Nextel as part of either a Planning Funding Agreement or a Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement and approved by the TA.
Licensees can initiate certain activities prior to the receipt of a Frequency Proposal Report and are encouraged to consider the following activities:
- Submit a Point of Contact (POC) Form, which is available on the TA's website here, to the TA to ensure that the TA has the correct address for mailing frequency proposals and other communications to you.
- Identify vendors and/or consultants that can assist you with reconfiguration.
- Review and update your license information in the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) database, particularly contact information, to ensure that it is correct and up-to-date.
- If you do not need separate funding for your planning activities, you should include any planning costs as part of your Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement. This is highly recommended if you have less than 500 subscriber units or need less than 30 business days of resource effort for planning.
- Be proactive! The earlier your organization engages in this process, the more time you will have to work out the specifics of your reconfiguration.
For additional information on non-frequency dependent activities that Canadian border licensees, particularly Public Safety licensees, can commence prior to receiving their FPR from the TA, please review the TA's fact sheet on non-frequency dependent activities.
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Stage 1 (B/ILT and SMR Licensees)
Stage 1 includes non-public safety licensees, such as B/ILT and SMR licensees, and a number of ESMR Band SMR licensees that were never cleared following the Upper 200 auctions.
Stage 1 licensees that submitted an RFPF and are negotiating or have executed a Planning Funding Agreement should review the Planning section below.
The TA's Implementation Plan designated October 14, 2008 as the official planning start date for Stage 1 licensees that will not enter into a PFA. Such licensees should commence their planning activities and submit a cost estimate for their reconfiguration to Sprint Nextel by one of the following deadlines, depending on the size of their system:
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For licensees with up to 5,000 subscriber units, the cost estimate should be submitted to Sprint Nextel by January 12, 2009;
- For licensees that have between 5,001 and 10,000 subscriber units, the cost estimate should be submitted by January 22, 2009; or
- For licensees with more than 10,000 subscriber units, the cost estimate should be submitted by February 1, 2009.
After completion of planning activities and the submission of a complete cost estimate to Sprint Nextel, licensee will negotiate a Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement with Sprint Nextel. Additional information on the FRA Negotiations is available below.
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Stage 2 (Public Safety) Licensees
Stage 2 includes NPSPAC and non-NPSPAC public safety licensees.
Licensees that submitted an RFPF and are negotiating or have executed a Planning Funding Agreement should review the Planning section below.
For licensees that did not submit an RFPF, the TA-designated date for commencement of planning is January 15, 2009. The TA encourages licensees to commence their planning activities as soon as possible. Prior to receiving their FPRs, licensees can perform certain non-frequency-dependent planning activities, such as conducting inventory and non-frequency-specific engineering and implementation planning. Licensees without a PFA should submit a cost estimate for their reconfiguration to Sprint Nextel by one of the following deadlines, depending on the size of their system:
- For licensees with up to 5,000 subscriber units, the cost estimate should be submitted to Sprint Nextel by April 15, 2009;
- For licensees that have between 5,001 and 10,000 subscriber units, the cost estimate should be submitted by April 27, 2009; or
- For licensees with more than 10,000 subscriber units, the cost estimate should be submitted by May 5, 2009.
If a licensee did not receive its proposed replacement frequencies by January 15, 2009, its cost estimate should be submitted to Sprint Nextel 90, 100, or 110 days from the date of receipt of those frequencies, depending upon the number of subscriber units in the system.
After completing your planning activities and submitting a complete cost estimate to Sprint Nextel, you will negotiate a Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement with Sprint Nextel. Additional information is available in the FRA Negotiations section below.
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Requests for Planning Funding
As specified in the FCC's Second Report and Order, Canadian border area licensees that intend to negotiate a Planning Funding Agreement (PFA) with Sprint Nextel should have submitted a Request for Planning Funding (RFPF) by October 14, 2008. Licensees that want to submit an RFPF after October 14, 2008 need to request an extension of this deadline from the FCC. As the TA continues to work on determining the new frequency assignments for the Canadian border regions, licensees who require funding for planning activities should complete and submit an RFPF Form even if they have not yet received an FPR. It is not necessary for licensees to know their replacement frequencies before preparing an RFPF. Click here to visit the RFPF webpage and download the RFPF Form and Instructions.
After you submit an RFPF, you and Sprint Nextel will negotiate a Planning Funding Agreement. If you and Sprint Nextel have not reached an agreement on a PFA by October 14, 2008, you will have an additional 30 days to continue PFA negotiations under the monitoring of a TA mediator. If, at the end of the 30 day period, there is no agreement on a PFA, you and Sprint Nextel will participate in active mediation for 20 days. If you do not reach agreement during the mediation period, the TA will refer any remaining disputed issues to the PSHSB within 10 days of the close of the mediation period. Additional information about the mediation process can be found in the TA's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Plan, which is available here.
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Planning
After the TA approves your PFA, you can perform the following planning activities, even if you have not yet received a Frequency Proposal Report:
- Conduct your subscriber equipment inventory.
- Conduct your infrastructure inventory.
- Conduct non-frequency-specific engineering and implementation planning.
- Define your interoperability environment.
Once you receive your Frequency Proposal Report, you will need to complete your remaining planning activities, such as frequency-dependent tasks, and submit a cost estimate for your reconfiguration implementation activities to Sprint Nextel. You may submit your cost estimate to Sprint Nextel as soon as it is prepared.
Upon TA approval of your PFA, you will have up to 90 to 110 days, depending on the number of subscriber units in your system (see below), to complete your planning activities and submit a cost estimate for the reconfiguration of your system to Sprint Nextel.
- If you have up to 5,000 subscriber units, the period to complete planning and submit a cost estimate is 90 days;
- If you have 5,001-10,000 units, the period is 100 days; and
- If you have more than 10,000 units, the period is 110 days.
However, if you have not received replacement frequencies at the time of the TA's approval of your PFA, the calculation of the planning period will run from the day you receive your new frequency assignments.
Extension Requests: If you require additional time to complete planning, you may request an extension from the PSHSB. You must provide the reasons why more time is necessary and demonstrate that you have exercised diligence and made progress in the time already allotted. You may submit your extension request either as a motion or in a letter. The submission may be signed either by the licensee or by its counsel. You should file extension requests with the PSHSB at the following email address: PSHSB800@fcc.gov and copy the TA at TAMediation@ssd.com.
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Subscriber Equipment Deployment (SED) Program
If you have completed your inventory, you may want to consider participating in the Subscriber Equipment Deployment (SED) program, which allows you to begin reconfiguration of subscriber units, including obtaining replacement equipment, software upgrade kits, and installation services, before you negotiate a complete FRA. Additional information is available here.
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Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement (FRA) Negotiations
After completing your planning activities and submitting a complete cost estimate to Sprint Nextel, you will have 30 days to negotiate a Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement with Sprint Nextel under the monitoring of a TA mediator. If you are unable to negotiate an FRA within 30 days, you and Sprint Nextel will participate in active mediation for 20 days. If you do not reach agreement during the mediation period, the TA will refer any remaining disputed issues to the PSHSB within 10 days of the close of the mediation period.
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Frequency Reconfiguration Presentation
The TA made the following presentations in meetings with licensees in Region 21 (Michigan), Region 33 (Ohio), Region 55 (Western New York), and Region 30 (Eastern New York) to discuss frequency reconfiguration and questionnaires for public safety licensees.
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