Chicago officials asked the FCC to clarify a stipulation in...
Chicago officials asked the FCC to clarify a stipulation in the recently enacted spectrum legislation requiring public safety licensees to relocate from the UHF-T band (470-512 MHz) within the next decade. The city asked for an advisory opinion on where…
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it is supposed to move operations now in the T-Band and how it is expected to pay for the relocation (http://xrl.us/bm27s7). “Chicago is undergoing a substantial investment in upgrading its UHF radio networks to expand channel capacity, improve interoperability, develop first responder connectivity, and overhaul associated data systems,” the city said in a filing. “Much of that effort involves a multi-million dollar investment in T-band frequencies authorized for the City’s use at various locations, employing numerous channels, obtained by Chicago through several waivers due to the pre-existing shortage of available spectrum in the area.” Chicago said its presumption is that a nine-year timeframe for moving was “some attempt to build a useful life element or repayment consideration into the legislation.” This assumption on the government’s part is not “realistic,” the city said. “Its current investment of ... over $23 million (with more forthcoming) was made with the intention that the fixed network and associated mobile and portable units would likely be in the field for the next 20 years or more as demonstrated by the City’s current UHF Citywide and UHF Zone infrastructure.”