The FCC is considering Nextel's proposal as a way to alleviate interference problems on the frequency used by public safety agencies. A decision is expected in the next few weeks.
Nextel wants the FCC to relocate public safety agencies and private wireless licensees in a portion of the 800 MHz band. In exchange, the FCC would license a 10 MHz block of contiguous spectrum to Nextel at 1.9 GHz.
The move would be completed over 42 months. The first nine months would be devoted to frequency planning and data collection. Transfer of the largest public safety systems would occur in the final stages.