FAQ > Overview

1. Although Sprint Nextel was granted an extension by the FCC to March 2009, the BAS schedule goes through August 2009. How is that possible?

The Joint Parties’ BAS Schedule takes the relocation project past the FCC extension date; however the FCC’s extension order indicated that additional time could be granted as long as all parties continue to work in good faith to complete the project.

2. If my current radio can handle both 2 GHz and 2.5 GHz, will I get a replacement radio that can handle both?

In this case if your equipment will need to be replaced, the new radio will have both 2 GHz and 2.5 GHz capabilities.

3. How will the spare equipment I currently own be addressed as part of the relocation?

Currently operating spares will be upgraded or replaced as part of the relocation process, but if you don’t own spares they will not be provided to you. However, if your equipment must be sent to the vendor to be upgraded, you will be provided loaner equipment during this period.

4. Who should I contact if I have further questions?

Please see the contacts section of this site for more information.

5. What kind of things will be paid for?

Sprint Nextel will compensate broadcasters for their reasonable costs in achieving "comparable facilities" to their current 2 GHz equipment. For example, this compensation could include items such as radios, backup radios, and equipment and other items necessary to support a conversion to comparable-quality reduced-deviation ENG operations. Items that may be eligible for compensation could include:

- Currently active spares
- "Hot standby" equipment
- Ancillary equipment such as LNAs and filters
- Control systems that need to be upgraded for the new microwave equipment
- Licensing and administrative fees
- Inside and contract labor
- Multiband equipment (the 2 GHz portion only)
- Possible solutions for talent cuing

6. What kind of things will not be paid for?

Although new items that would not be required for digital operation (such as new quad-polarity antennas or omni-directional transmit antennas) will be excluded, replacement or upgrades to existing 2 GHz equipment likely will be covered. For example, if a station currently uses a quad-polarity antenna that requires upgrade or replacement as part of the relocation, this would be eligible for compensation. Items that typically may not be paid for include:

- New omnidirectional transmit antennas
- New quad-polarized antennas if you don’t already use them

7. Are my 2 GHz fixed links included as part of this relocation?

Yes. Sprint Nextel will compensate broadcasters for the relocation of 2 GHz fixed links to the digital equivalent. At the broadcaster's option, the value of this compensation may be applied toward the price of a conversion to 7GHz/13GHz fiber, with the excess cost being met by the broadcaster.

8. What if my station doesn't want to use outside contractors to install the new equipment? Will we still get reimbursed?

Yes. Part of your station's cost for relocating includes the reasonable, documented costs of inside labor necessary to complete the project.

9. Are the vendors increasing capacity to be able to produce equipment as fast as we'll need it?

Sprint Nextel has been working with several microwave equipment vendors that require substantial lead times and has prepaid for a large amount of equipment. Nevertheless, individual configurations at each station are complex enough to require extensive integration at the factory, which may slow production. To account for the time-consuming integration process, manufacturers are being requested to deliver equipment 10 to 12 weeks prior to market cut-over.

10. What resources will Nextel provide to the project?

- A relocation team in each market
- Inventory assistance
- Site surveys to support the inventory
- Payments for replacement equipment

11. Does each licensee need to file a license modification at the FCC as part of this relocation?

Yes. The FCC has announced licensing procedures to facilitate the efficient transition of broadcasters in the 2 GHz band. Click here to download the FCC's Public Notice and read the details.

12. How will helicopters that are not owned by broadcasters be handled?

We understand that TV stations are dependent on news helicopters and are working with the helicopter companies (for example, Helinet, US Helicopters, Helicopters, Inc. as well as others) as if they were broadcasters in that market. Please read the Guidelines section of this site for additional information about helicopters.

13. If I currently rent a mobile truck from a vendor and request microwave gear, will they be compatible with our digital system?

Yes. As long as they're licensed or have a long-term contract with a licensed broadcaster, the rental companies will be compensated for new equipment too.

14. If I move to narrow-in-place before my competitors, will this put me at a disadvantage in regards to microwave quality and distance?

No. There are some instances where it will put you at an advantage because the new digital modulation will help you get some shots you weren't able to get before. The digital picture quality will be better in most cases. Keep in mind that everyone in your market will be doing this simultaneously, so no licensee should be disadvantaged.

15. Are spectrum monitoring solutions included as part of relocation compensation?

Sprint Nextel considers spectrum monitoring solutions as a requirement for comparable facilities and thus eligible for inclusion in the Broadcaster's relocation compensation. Generally, Sprint Nextel has set a not-to-exceed cap on spectrum monitoring solutions of $3500 per receive site, but there are several permutations to this guideline. Please click here to view the different scenarios.

16. What if I miss something during the inventory? Can I add it later?

We'll work with you to make sure that you don't forget anything, but if you do, we'll work on a way to include it so that you're made whole.

17. When should I expect payment for reimbursement requests?

Receipts for a calendar month must be received on or before the 5th of the following month (e.g., August Receipts – those dated August 1-31) must be received by Sprint Nextel no later than September 5th to be included in the next Monthly Reimbursements. If reimbursements are submitted after the 5th of the month, they will not be processed until the following month. For example, if receipts are submitted on September 6th (past the 5th deadline), the receipts will be processed in October and payment would occur in November. For more details and a sample reimbursement schedule, please review the Broadcaster Instruction Guide found in the website (page 20).

18. When should I submit my Purchase Order to (3rd party) service providers?

Upon Frequency Relocation Agreement (contract) execution, Broadcasters should submit Purchase Orders to their chosen third party service providers to facilitate planning.

19. What happens if I have a valid 2GHz license but no equipment?

The FCC requires the Broadcaster cancel or modify the license regardless of whether you have equipment.

20. What are the next steps after market-cutover?

After the station relocates to the new channel plan, the Broadcaster submits final receipts and returns retired equipment to Sprint Nextel. First, the Broadcaster has 60 days to ship retired items listed on Schedule B to the designated Sprint Nextel warehouse. Sprint Nextel expects that radios will remain intact for disposal: Broadcasters must not remove parts from radios prior to shipment. Second, the Broadcaster has three full months after relocation weekend to submit all outstanding Receipts. This date will be referred to as the Receipts Deadline. Sprint Nextel will begin the final reconciliation of Receipts on the Receipts Deadline date. Once Sprint Nextel and the Broadcaster reach agreement with the Reconciliation Statement and after completion of all other Closing conditions identified in the Broadcaster’s contract, the final reimbursement based on the Reconciliation Statement will be made pursuant to the terms of the contract.

21. How do I get trained on this new equipment?

Sprint Nextel has contracted training with Azcar. Generally, Azcar will provide 2 training sessions. Sprint recommends signing up for the first session once the Frequency Relocation Agreement is signed, and the second when equipment is received. Azcar will begin calling the Broadcaster to schedule training once the Purchase Order has been submitted to Manufacturer(s). The training will be free of charge to eligible 2GHz BAS licensees who are receiving new or upgraded Digital Electronic News Gathering (D-ENG) equipment under BAS Relocation. The object of the training is to teach ENG operators the fundamentals of the difference between operating analog ENG equipment and operating Digital ENG equipment

22. Will Sprint Nextel pay deposits for service providers to install equipment?

Sprint Nextel accepts that it is common industry practice for service providers to submit an invoice for down payment to Broadcasters. While the down payment invoice can be a percentage of the quote, Sprint Nextel requires that the final invoice includes a detailed line-item breakout of all work completed, a line-item reflecting the initial down payment paid, and a line-item reflecting the net amount due.

23. What happens if the third-party service provider’s invoice exceeds the approved quote in the FRA?

Pursuant to Section 10 of the FRA, the Broadcaster must contact Sprint Nextel if actual relocation costs may exceed the originally estimated relocation costs. The Broadcaster must demonstrate that any such excess costs are actual (i.e., not including any unauthorized costs) and commercially reasonable costs validated by supporting documentation. Sprint Nextel requires the Broadcaster to provide justification for overages with their reimbursement request. It is preferable that the service provider includes a detailed explanation with the invoice.

24. Are there invoicing guidelines for third party service providers?

In the case of service provider receipts, the invoices need to specify, by resource (i.e., individual providing service): actual number of hours; rate of pay; task name or description; and the date work completed. Please note that under Exhibit 2 of the FRA, Sprint Nextel is not required to pay the monthly reimbursement for costs that are submitted without adequate supporting documentation.

25. What happens if I need additional or different equipment to make my system work?

Sprint Nextel has a change order process in place. If Broadcasters find that current the equipment needs a correction, change or addition, contact the regional team for further direction.

26. What is a BAT?

BAT stands for BAS Acceleration Team. This is comprised of the original Sprint Nextel regional team and a designated broadcast representative from each market. MSTV is working with the markets to establish the broadcaster’s representative for the BAT.

27. I have a simple system with a few radios - can I switch to the new band plan as soon as I have installed my radio?

No, Broadcasters must coordinate their cut-overs with the rest of the market to avoid harmful interference.

28. Who do I contact if a part of my system doesn’t function correctly after installation?

Contact the manufacturer and/or system integrator. If the problem persists, contact the Sprint Nextel regional team.

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