Broadcast Relocation > About Relocation

Transitioning to the New Channel Plan

2 GHz relocation involves migrating equipment from analog to digital to operate in the new channel plan and retuning equipment to the new frequencies.  Sprint Nextel teams are assisting each broadcaster in the country operating on 2 GHz channels 1 - 7 to facilitate this transition within a reasonable time.

• The mandated FCC relocation requires that broadcasters currently operating in 1990 - 2110 MHz convert to new channels in 2025 - 2110 MHz.  The seven current 17 and 18 MHz channels will be migrated to seven new 12 MHz channels.

• Sprint Nextel is required to provide "comparable facilities" to enable eligible broadcasters to operate in the new channel plan.

• A broadcaster's transition from operating in the current channel plan to the new channel plan will involve a temporary, interim "Narrowed in Place" phase in which broadcasters will operate new or upgraded equipment in the current channel plan using 12 MHz channels.  From Narrowed in Place, all broadcasters in a market will relocate to the new seven channel plan (2025 - 2110 MHz) at a pre-determined date.

• Explore the "More About Relocation" links located on the right to learn additional details about this project.

Geographic Approach for Relocation

Sprint Nextel has adopted a regional strategy for relocation, ensuring that resources such as local service providers and tower riggers are distributed for maximum efficiency.  Individual stations have been assigned into markets, market clusters, and regions--increasingly smaller categories that leverage the use of resources most efficiently and facilitate a smooth transition to the new channel plan for broadcasters.  This approach also enables adjacent and interdependent markets to relocate on a similar time frame.

Relocation activities are commencing simultaneously in all of Sprint Nextel's eight 2 GHz regions, each with a dedicated team of managers, broadcast engineers and contracts specialists. To finish 210 markets, approximately three additional markets throughout the country are commencing relocation almost every other week.