Sprint Says BAS Transition Far More Complex than Expected
Sprint Nextel told the FCC progress has been slow and the going tough as it relocates nearly 1,000 broadcast auxiliary service (BAS) licensees to the new 2 GHz band, one of a series of commitments Nextel made as part of the FCC’s 2004 800 MHz rebanding order. Sprint Nextel said the BAS transition could take another 2 years -- well past an expected Sept. end date. A progress report said rebanding has proven “far more complex than originally anticipated,” with Sprint facing “unforeseen, unavoidable complications.”
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“The sheer volume of paper that this process generates shows just how complex and resource-intensive an undertaking this is,” Sprint Nextel said: “Each [frequency relocation agreement] averages about 35 pages, and each amendment averages about 7 pages. At roughly 50 pages per FRA (counting the typical two amendments) and 1,000 licensees to transition, Sprint Nextel and the BAS industry collectively will produce roughly 50,000 pages of FRAs -- or, stated differently, a stack of legal documents roughly two stories high.”
Sprint has spent $186 million for 12,000-plus pieces of BAS radiofrequency gear, including 6,000-plus transmitters and receivers, 4,000-plus controllers and nearly 2,000 antennas and antenna upgrades, it said. Sprint also has had to add staff, now tallying 45 full-time professionals on the BAS transition.
Sprint made considerable progress the last year, it said. A year ago, the process had begun in only 57% of markets, a figure now 100%, with only 55% of licensees submitting their inventories compared to 99% today and 1% of licensees signing FRAs compared to 22% today. “All eligible BAS licensees are now engaged in the relocation process, and virtually all have submitted an inventory of their BAS equipment to Sprint Nextel,” the company said: “Sprint Nextel and BAS licensees are now making rapid progress in the preparation and review of quotes from manufacturers and vendors for implementing the relocation.”