Public safety radio systems (such as those used by police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians) operate in several portions of the 800 MHz band, which consists of spectrum at 806-824 MHz paired with spectrum at 851-869 MHz. The 800 MHz band is also home to commercial wireless carriers and private radio systems.
800 MHz Band Reconfiguration
To address a growing problem of harmful interference to 800 MHz public safety communication systems caused by high-density commercial wireless systems, the Commission in July 2004 adopted a comprehensive plan to reconfigure the band. This plan is designed to protect the lives of first responders and other emergency personnel and fulfills the Commission's obligation to promote safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communications. Implementation of 800 MHz band reconfiguration is a top priority of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (see chart below). For Rebanding Questions/Comments e-mail PSHSB800@fcc.gov or contact the 800 MHz Transition Administrator.
Transition Administrator
To facilitate the rebanding process, the Commission has provided for the creation of an independent 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) to administer the transition and review expenditures. The Commission tasked the TA with administering the technical and financial aspects of the band reconfiguration process to ensure that the Commission's goals would be achieved with minimal disruption to licensees, particularly public safety entities. For further information on the Transition Administrator, visit the TA's website at www.800ta.org.
Post-Reconfiguration Band Plan
Below is a graphic illustration of the standard Post-Reconfiguration Band Plan applicable to most of the United States. In some regions, however, there may be some deviations from the standard band plan (e.g., the U.S. border regions with Canada and Mexico, the Southeast portion of the United States and the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands region). For further information contact PSHSB800@fcc.gov or visit the TA's website at www.800ta.org.
800 MHz Regional Planning
In 1987, the Commission set aside six megahertz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band for exclusive use by local, regional and state public safety agencies under guidelines developed by the National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC). The 800 MHz NPSPAC spectrum is administered on a regional basis by 55 regional public safety planning committees. Below you will find a directory of regional planning committees.