800MHz Rebanding

Radio communications within the 800 MHz spectrum have been experiencing increasing levels of interference from commercial wireless carriers operating in the same or adjacent spectrum bands.  The explosive growth of cell phone use and technology has exacerbated the problem to a level  where our public safety systems now frequently encounter "dead zone" pockets and/or interference within their coverage areas. As a result, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ordered the reconfiguration of the 800 MHz band -- in particular to avoid potentially life-threatening situations where our communications equipment may become problematic or even inoperable.

What is the Solution?

The 800 MHz reconfiguration project aims to eliminate and avoid future interference to public safety radio systems by separating spectrum for commercial networks from spectrum for the “high-site” radio networks typically used by public safety groups. This will require moving public safety systems to a spectrum lower in the 800 MHz band, and moving commercial carriers such as Nextel to the opposite end of the band. The planned reconfiguration of the 800 MHz band also includes creating a “guard band” or buffer to help ensure that signals from the different types of networks will not interfere with each other.

It is estimated that the reconfiguration process for the entire U.S. will take three years to complete.

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You may get more background on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to mandate rebanding.

Virginia's 800MHz Contact

800 MHz Rebanding Report