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Nextel and FCC Swap Bandwidth

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the clearing-the-air dept.

evilninja writes "Techweb is reporting on the sale of 10MHz worth of bandwidth to Nextel by the FCC. One term of the agreement will solve a problem that has been frustrating the FCC for some time. Nextel will return some of their bandwidth to the public domain, since it has been interfering with local emergency channels in some areas."

7 of 124 comments (clear)

  1. the fcc by Fuzzy_Nuts · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So the FCC couldn't just force Nextel to stop useing the bandwidth that was used for emergeny channels?

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    ReachInternet.com Wireless, Campus Area Networks, Office Networking.
    1. Re:the fcc by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Nextel did not use emergency channels, they were using cellphone channels. Emergency frequencies happens to be next beside cellphone frequencies. Guess what happens when you cram a ludicrous amount of soccer moms screeming sensless in their phone while driving? That's right, it overlaps in neighboors frequencies.

  2. Hopefully... by Count+of+Montecristo · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Although the article does not mention a lot of detail, I do hope that this will fix some of the reception problems i've been having in the LA Metropolitan area with Nextel.

    It used to be pretty reliable almost anywhere, although lately there were some 'lossy' spots to say the least.

    On the other hand, since i'm no iDEN expert.. will this require an upgrade to the handset's codeplug?

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    *shower*
    1. Re:Hopefully... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Don't count on it. Chances are, it'll get worse because their towers are spaced for 800MHz and since 1900MHz doesn't have as big of a signal radius, Nextel will now have huge gaps in their network.

  3. Effects on service, etc. by Harpua22 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I wonder if this will have much effect on Nextel's service? Previous to this, Nextel had some of the best coverage around. I am obviously no expert (as someone here is bound to point out) but is it possible that a change in the spectrum Nextel will be using will result in a change in their service? Then we have the whining. It sounds to me like some rivals (verizon) are fuming because they see their company's fortunes as being more important than the greater good of society (i.e. the ability to use emergency channels without interference) Won't Nextel incur significant costs to facilitate this switch anyway, partially offsetting what other companies see as a "giveaway"?

  4. I see a problem with the FCC "selling" RF spectrum by Polarism · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It doesn't make much sense to me, if they are supposed to be regulating the RF spectrum, then why are they allowed to sell any of it? That's about the worst thing for the "public" you can let them do.

    If what this article is saying (it does not specifically say anything directly related to a "sale", but pretty much draws the inference on. That would mean Nextel now "owns" that part of the spectrum from the FCC?

    Just sounds fishy, hope i'm interpreting that incorrectly.

    --
    All your base are belong to Google.
  5. Nextel gets a steal by fishbert42 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    So, Nextel a mere $1.6 billion for bandwidth rights which should've cost somewhere between $3 billion or $5 billion.
    "Oh, the poor emergency responders! Of course we'll trade bandwidth with you... it's for the good of the nation."
    Give me a break!

    Verizon must be pissed.