FDRadioguy777
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I apologize if this is not the correct forum to post this question. I was wondering does the FCC offer 800MHz radio licenses for businesses or is it only public safety agencies? Thanks.
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800MHz Radio Licenses
- Thread starter FDRadioguy777
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W8RMH
Feed Provider Since 2012
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Yes. FCC Rule 90.35 covers the Industrial/Business pool frequencies:
809 to 824 Mobile
854 to 869 Base or mobile
809 to 824 Mobile
854 to 869 Base or mobile
FDRadioguy777
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Any idea how much an 800MHz business radio license costs? Thank you.
W8RMH
Feed Provider Since 2012
I don't have the slightest idea what a license would cost or how the cost is determined. If you click on the link I posted there are more links to FCC pages which explain everything. Start by clicking on Licensing Process. You could also contact one of the coordinators listed who could give you some idea.
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Round number estimate for most licenses: $300 to the FCC (10 years), $400 to the frequency coordinator, and thousands in time and hair pulling if you apply yourself. I use RadioSoft.com in Georgia. Call Kathi.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
FCC application fees are listed here: http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/application-processing-fees
Cost is:
Frequency Coordination ($ depends on the coordinator) There are no "itinerant" frequencies in 800MHz, so you need to be coordinated.
FCC "Application Fee" $65.00
FCC "Regulatory Payment" $350.00
FDRadioguy777
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No, unfortunately there are no commercial trunking systems to hook up to. I was just interested in adding an 800MHz conventional frequency for certain day to day training exercises.
Thread moved to Industry Discussion forum.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Is this for a public safety agency?
Which got me thinking (yeah, senior moment) that gov't agencies are FCC-fee exempt. You would still have to pay for coordination, but the license just went from $800-ish to $400-ish.
Which got me thinking (yeah, another senior moment) that if there is any mutual aid partners with an existing licence you might be able to operate on their freq's with a Memorandum of Understanding.
Training and mutual aid are legitimate MOU uses.
FDRadioguy777
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Thank you for that information. Yeah originally I was looking for an 800MHz business license but it sounds like if I go the public safety route it is cheaper. Also, it sounds like I am better off hiring someone to handle the coordination. Is it pretty difficult to go through the licensing process? This is the first time I have been tasked to look into this. Thanks again!
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
It's not impossible to do yourself, but you will need a frequency coordinators assistance.
As your first time, there will be a lot less aggravation, delays, rejections, etc. if you get some professional help. Check with your city, county, state and see if they can help.
Not doing this correctly can be a big issue. We had a frequency coordinator make an error. I'd started programming 350 radios and found out at the last minute that the frequency pair we thought we were getting wasn't going to work. Had to turn around and reprogram most of those radios.
Getting a frequency pair on 800MHz for a public safety agency shouldn't be a big deal. With the Sprint/Nextel give backs, there are frequency pairs available
As your first time, there will be a lot less aggravation, delays, rejections, etc. if you get some professional help. Check with your city, county, state and see if they can help.
Not doing this correctly can be a big issue. We had a frequency coordinator make an error. I'd started programming 350 radios and found out at the last minute that the frequency pair we thought we were getting wasn't going to work. Had to turn around and reprogram most of those radios.
Getting a frequency pair on 800MHz for a public safety agency shouldn't be a big deal. With the Sprint/Nextel give backs, there are frequency pairs available
FDRadioguy777
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Oh wow! Thanks for letting me know. I definitely will not attempt this on my own. I have not heard of the Sprint/Nextel givebacks. Does that allow more frequencies in the 800MHz band?
ecps92
Member
IF you are already using 800 for your Public Safety, have you talked to your Radio Guys who manage the system ?? There might already be channels in the Radio for this specific purpose w/o spending
a. $$ to License/Coordinate
b. Reprogram the existing Radios or purchase radios for just this purposes
a. $$ to License/Coordinate
b. Reprogram the existing Radios or purchase radios for just this purposes
902
Member
I don't think your question can be answered based on the information provided thus far.
This isn't a matter of "cheaper," it's a matter of what's most appropriate for the type of organization you represent. Like it or not, you WILL get the license within the proper category, or: 1) your application will not get coordinated; and 2) the FCC will return or very possibly dismiss your application with any money paid to the coordinator and (possibly, if you are not fee exempt) the FCC not refunded. It can't be more simple than doing it right or losing your money. A license - from start to finish - can cost between several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the number of sites, specific items that need to be addressed, and whether you would need to retain legal counsel to draft waivers, etc., so there's a lot at stake.
One of the items omitted is that a frequency coordinator will assess a fee, as well. There may also be fees for supporting documentation, such as DHAAT analysis, short-spacing, Regional Planning Committee co- and adjacent channel contours, and possibly responsible radiation plots. Each of which may preclude your use of a given frequency in a given area.
The Sprint/Nextel frequencies were "given back" following rebanding, and I believe they are complete in all but the border areas (I could be wrong, I don't work with 800 on a daily basis). What that MIGHT mean for your region is that the resource has already been consumed. Competition for 800 MHz frequencies is not casual, it's fierce and the resources are usually gone to those who have filed in advance and were willing to be in queue.
Here is a list of frequency coordinators who handle 800 MHz: FCC: Wireless Services: Industrial/Business: Licensing: Frequency Coordinators You are best advised to call several of them, ask questions relating to how you intend to use this system -- and for whom -- and pricing. Shop around and get the best value. The pricing will be in the ballpark, but could significantly vary between each.
Let me also state that you have a construction deadline once you successfully receive a license. You or your agency will need to put something on the air within that time period (meaning, you need the financial backing of being able to procure and build within that window) or your license becomes invalid and you will need to go through the entire process anew.
Good luck. Call several of the frequency coordinators on the list for facts before you commit to any decisions.
This isn't a matter of "cheaper," it's a matter of what's most appropriate for the type of organization you represent. Like it or not, you WILL get the license within the proper category, or: 1) your application will not get coordinated; and 2) the FCC will return or very possibly dismiss your application with any money paid to the coordinator and (possibly, if you are not fee exempt) the FCC not refunded. It can't be more simple than doing it right or losing your money. A license - from start to finish - can cost between several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the number of sites, specific items that need to be addressed, and whether you would need to retain legal counsel to draft waivers, etc., so there's a lot at stake.
One of the items omitted is that a frequency coordinator will assess a fee, as well. There may also be fees for supporting documentation, such as DHAAT analysis, short-spacing, Regional Planning Committee co- and adjacent channel contours, and possibly responsible radiation plots. Each of which may preclude your use of a given frequency in a given area.
The Sprint/Nextel frequencies were "given back" following rebanding, and I believe they are complete in all but the border areas (I could be wrong, I don't work with 800 on a daily basis). What that MIGHT mean for your region is that the resource has already been consumed. Competition for 800 MHz frequencies is not casual, it's fierce and the resources are usually gone to those who have filed in advance and were willing to be in queue.
Here is a list of frequency coordinators who handle 800 MHz: FCC: Wireless Services: Industrial/Business: Licensing: Frequency Coordinators You are best advised to call several of them, ask questions relating to how you intend to use this system -- and for whom -- and pricing. Shop around and get the best value. The pricing will be in the ballpark, but could significantly vary between each.
Let me also state that you have a construction deadline once you successfully receive a license. You or your agency will need to put something on the air within that time period (meaning, you need the financial backing of being able to procure and build within that window) or your license becomes invalid and you will need to go through the entire process anew.
Good luck. Call several of the frequency coordinators on the list for facts before you commit to any decisions.
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