The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed rules to implement the provisions of an agreement with Mexico that will enable the cooperative sharing of spectrum in the 800 MHz band in the areas along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The two countries signed an Amended Protocol in June 2012 that reallocated spectrum band segments between the U.S. and Mexico, and which specified the technical parameters for operations on these segments within 110 kilometers of the common border. The rebanding of spectrum was deemed necessary to alleviate interference to public safety licensees due to commercial cellular operations.
In a Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making issued in August 2012, the Commission proposed rules that will codify the terms of the Amended Protocol, thereby bringing them into effect. Comments on the proposed changes are due to the Commission by the end of September 2012.
