The latest FCC filing from Sprint Nextel regarding progress of the 2GHz Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) relocation progress indicates that the company and broadcasters are making progress in converting to digital electronic newsgathering (ENG) channels.
The project will relocate analog 2GHz BAS operations to seven 12MHz-wide digital channels between 2025.5MHz and 2109.5MHz. The transition to digital BAS is seen as half of a two-part process of preparing stations to contribute ENG HD footage, edited packages and live shots from the field.
As of June 2, the company reported several nationwide benchmarks charting progress of the relocation effort, including:
- 2GHz relocation frequency relocation agreements: 968
- Inventories submitted: 967, 100 percent
- Inventories verified: 967, 100 percent
- Quote packages submitted to Sprint Nextel: 940, 97 percent
- Quote packages approved by Sprint Nextel: 904, 93 percent
- Frequency relocation agreements (FRA) executed: 806, 83 percent
- All purchase orders submitted: 751, 78 percent
- All equipment delivered: 267, 28 percent
- All equipment installed: 174, 18 percent
- DMA relocated: 88, 9 percent
- Contract closed: 69, 6 percent
Editor’s note: For more information on the filing, see: “Despite unexpected obstacles, BAS relocation update shows progress.”
