BAS transition to digital
Jan 20, 2007 8:00 AM
Analog spectrum reclamation impacts BAS
The reclamation of TV spectrum as analog stations shutdown should have no effect on a service operating at these frequencies. There were concerns, however, that cell phone services operating in the 700MHz-800MHz range would produce adjacent channel interfere with new emergency communications authorized to operate at this frequency range.
On Aug. 6, 2004, the FCC rendered a decision to resolve the potential interference issue. As a result, cell phone services, specifically those of Sprint Nextel, are now moving into the 2GHz band occupied by BAS. This requires massive changes for broadcasters.
- Sprint Nextel will vacate its 700MHz-800MHz channels in return for frequency allocations at 1910MHz-1915MHz and 1990MHz-1995MHz.
- Sprint Nextel will compensate broadcasters' relocation of BAS and other services operating in the 1990MHz-2110MHz and 2025MHz-2110MHz range.
The deadline for all changes is September 2007.
Sprint Nextel's BAS Web site provides information and guidance about the BAS relocation program. The site also provides tools and resources, including a 39-page instruction guide.
Progress to date
George Maier, in a recent Broadcast Engineering magazine article, "The 2GHz relocation: A midterm report card" details the history and state of the relocation program as of mid-2006.
There are 1098 BAS licensees that have been broken down into eight regions. Sprint Nextel's 2GHz relocation team reports that mid-Atlantic, West and Northeast stations have 100 percent of their station inventories submitted to the Sprint Nextel online tool. Frequency relocation agreements (FRA) have been signed with the Hearst-Argyle-owned station in Orlando, FL, and Tribune-owned station in Chicago.
Yuma, AZ-El Centro, CA, was the first TV market to relocate to the 2GHz spectrum band. KYMA-TV, a Sunbelt Communications-owned NBC affiliate, replaced its analog equipment and switched over to digital last September.
By most accounts, progress has been relatively slow, and it appears that it will be difficult to meet the September 2007 relocation deadline.
Additional Reading
MSTV discusses issues regarding TV translators in its Reply to Opposition of Sprint Netxtel Corporation.
SBE reports on BAS events in a White Paper on RM 11308.
An article called "Git 'er Done!"
by Chris Imlay, SBE general counsel, discusses the recent state of the BAS relocation program.
A Summary of Changes to the Part 74 BAS Rules, compiled by Dane E. Ericksen, P.E., CSRTE, chairman of the SBE FCC Liaison Committee, is also available.
FCC BAS information can be found at their microwave Web site.
E-mail your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future topics to editor@broadcastengineering.com with the subject line T2D.
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