WHAT IS THE 700 MHz BAND?

The 698-806 MHz Band (the “700 MHz Band”) currently is occupied by television broadcasters in TV Channels 52-69.  It is being made available for wireless services, including public safety and commercial services, as a result of the digital television (“DTV”) transition.  In passing the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 (“DTV Act”), Congress accelerated the DTV transition by providing a date certain, February 17, 2009, for the end of the transition.

To view a diagram of the FCC’s 700 MHz Band Plan click here

WHAT ARE THE RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF 700 MHz BAND?

• The FCC has established a framework for a 700 MHz Public Safety/Private Partnership between the licensee for one of the commercial spectrum blocks and the licensee for the public safety broadband spectrum.
  
  
  • Commercial licensee will build out a nationwide, interoperable broadband network for the use of public safety.  This network will facilitate effective communications among first responders not just in emergencies, but as part of cooperative communications plans that will enable first responders from different disciplines, such as police and fire departments, and jurisdictions to work together in emergency preparedness and response.
    
    
  • Public safety broadband licensee will have priority access to the commercial spectrum in times of emergency, and the commercial licensee will have preemptible, secondary access to the public safety broadband spectrum.
    
    
• To promote broadband competition and the development of innovative wireless services for consumers, the FCC has made several changes to the rules governing the commercial services portion of the 700 MHz Band.
  
  

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