H-block item on next week’s FCC agenda

Proposed service plans for controversial spectrum that many wireless carriers believe will cause interference for some PCS operators will be considered by the FCC next Thursday at its regular meeting.

The rules would pertain to the so-called “H-block” of spectrum, which includes 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz, and 2175-2180 MHz. The first two swaths would be adjacent to 1.9 GHz spectrum Nextel Communications would receive as part of the 800 MHz rebanding order approved recently by the FCC.

Although a satellite association and several wireless concerns have filed concerns with the commission that the proposed rules for the band would create interference, the commission placed the item on its Sept. 9 agenda yesterday, which means all lobbying of the agency on the item must be halted.

Nextel has indicated it does not believe there will be an interference problem and has supported the notion of the commission proceeding quickly. This has fueled speculation that Nextel would bid heavily in an auction for the spectrum, but Precursor wireless strategist Rudy Baca indicated such a plan could be difficult.

“They’re certainly going to want it,” Baca said. However, any desire Nextel has to bid in the auction may be tempered by the possibility that it may be in the process of paying at least $3.2 billion for the proposed rebanding of 800 MHz spectrum at the time of the H-block auction. Nextel has not indicated whether it will endorse the rebanding plan.

Given its current debt situation, if Nextel decides to proceed with the 800 MHz rebanding and to win additional 1.9 GHz spectrum via the H-block auction, “they’re going to stretch themselves pretty thin,” Baca said.