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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8774INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8774 Problem/Issue: To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Date: May 16, 2006 Pagel of 3 SUBJECT: Rebanding /Retuning of the City of Fort Worth 800 MHz Radio Communication Systems The City is required by the Federal Communications Commission to reband/retune the 800 MHz Radio Communication Systems that are utilized by all the Public Safety and Local Government Agencies in the City of Fort Worth (and most of the surrounding communities) for their voice radio communications that are essential in providing emergency services. All radio equipment operating on the City's 800 MHz radio systems are impacted. This includes all repeaters and base stations that comprise the infrastructure for five Public Safety Trunked Radio System sites, one Local Government Trunked Radio System site, five Mobile Data System sites, the Emergency Communications Trailer, the Bolt Street Public Safety Communications Center, the Alternate Public Safety Answering Point Communications Center, and three downstream Communications Centers that are wire -lined to the Public Safety Trunked Radio System (North Richland Hills, Tarrant County Sheriff's Office and The T). Also, there are approximately 8,000 mobile, desktop and portable radios, and over 700 VRM (Vehicular Radio Modem) installations that must be brought in for rebanding as well. It will be a massive undertaking tentatively scheduled to begin July 2006 and completed by the end of March 2008. v The ability to interoperate with other radio systems in the area during the rebanding process will be affected, and may have a direct impact on emergency services provided through Interloeal Agreements, Mutual Aid Agreements, etc. Steps are being taken to mitigate any effect on the interoperability of the radio systems. Background: July 8, 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a plan to resolve the ongoing and growing problem of interference caused by Nextel Communications, Inc. (and other cellular type systems) operating near public safety radio systems in the 800 MHz band. Over the long -term, the FCC adopted a new band plan for the 800 MHz band to address the root cause of the interference problem by separating generally incompatible technologies, with the costs of relocating 800 MHz incumbents to be paid by Nextel Communications, Inc. This is an official Report and Order from the FCC; therefore, the City must comply and reband the Public Safety Trunked Radio System and the Local Government Trunked Radio System. All licensees in the country, including the City of Fort Worth, are required to follow the FCC order. As with prier spectrurn relocation programs initiated by the FCC, Nextel - as the new entrant into public safety bands - will be required to provide the existing public safety licensees with comparable facilities. Ad m City went through a similar process with the Microwave Relocation Initiative in 1996/97, which X' affected infrastructure equipment only. The 800 MHz rebanding will have a much greater impact ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8774 Date: May 16, 2006 till To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2of3 SUBJECT: Rebanding/Retuning of the City of Fort Worth 800 MHz ler3 Radio Communication Systems because it affects not only radio infrastructure, but field user equipment as well. This means that more than 8,000 individual devices will have to be touched before rebanding is completed. The FCC established the office of the 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) to facilitate a smooth transition to the new 800 MHz band plan. Among its duties, the TA establishes reconfiguration guidelines, specifies replacement channels, reviews reconfiguration cost estimates, monitors payment of reconfiguration costs, manages the relocation schedule, reports progress of the 800 MHz reconfiguration, facilitates issue resolution and administers the Alternate Dispute Resolution process. The TA is a neutral party that is obligated to follow the FCC's guidance to treat all licensees fairly and equitably with minimum disruption to both the spectrum users and the public. Challenges/Potential Implementation Problems: Because of the mission critical need to maintain full operational status, system availability levels and standards, interoperability, Mutual Aid Agreements, etc., the Rebanding Project involves the following fiscal matters, unprecedented challenges and potential implementation problems: • Estimated overall cost of the Rebanding Project is $80 - $100 million; • No direct costs to the City of Fort Worth; • The City of Fort Worth can be reimbursed for in -house labor charges, as well as any additional approved costs such as contractors to assist, including legal counsel, etc. Payment and funding arrangements must be pre- approved through the Transition Administrator (TA); • Estimated length of the Rebanding Project is 24 months; • Approximately 8,000 pieces of Field User equipment (portables, mobiles, consollettes, etc.) are impacted; • Will affect internal city users and external users; • Will require planning and negotiations on the part of the City; • Comparable facilities are the required outcomes; • Opportunity to improve the system may be possible; • One or more contracts will likely have to be entered into by the City. Next Steps: • City is part of "Wave 2," the second group of agencies with negotiations taking place August I, 2006 through January 31, 2007; • Actual implementation of the Rebanding Project and New System is July 1, 2006 through March 1, 2048. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS 41 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8774 Date: May 16, 20 T To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 3 of 3 SUBJECT: Rebanding/Retuning of the City of Fort Worth 800 MHz Radio Communication Systems An M&C to authorize planning funds, entering into an agreement with Nextel, entering into an agreement with Motorola, Inc. for the frequency reconfiguration, for hiring outside council to assist in negotiating this agreement, and for adopting an appropriation ordinance is scheduled for presentation to the City Council on Tuesday, May 30, 2006. In the interim, should you have any questions, please contact Pete Anderson, Chief Information Officer, or me. Charles R. Boswell City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS