Wave 1, Stage 2 - End of Mandatory Negotiation Period.

WASHINGTON -- As scheduled in the Regional Prioritization Plan (RPP), the mandatory negotiation period for Wave 1, Stage 2 licensees ends on October 31, 2006. Licensees who have not reached a Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement (FRA) with Sprint Nextel by the end of the mandatory negotiation period will enter mediation on November 1, 2006 as part of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process established by the 800 MHz Transition Administrator, LLC (TA).

The TA has been working with all stakeholders (Public Safety, licensees, vendors, and Sprint Nextel) to prepare for this mediation period. "The TA mediation team understands and appreciates the complexities of Public Safety systems," said Brett Haan, Director of the TA. "The ADR process has been successful at resolving disagreements, with only 8 cases pending for FCC review out of more than 470 mediation cases to date. We strongly encourage licensees to prepare for mediation by building supportable cost estimates and by reviewing the ADR plan on our website at www.800TA.org."

During the last month of the mandatory negotiation period, the TA encourages Wave 1, Stage 2 licensees to take advantage of this remaining time and be advised that:

* Both parties have an obligation to negotiate in good faith.

* The TA, in its discretion, may direct a TA Mediator to mediate negotiations between the parties if either party requests mediation, or if the TA concludes that the parties are otherwise unlikely to negotiate an FRA by the end of the mandatory negotiation period. You may request mediation by filing a "Request for Mediation" Form found at http://www.800ta.org/content/800mhz/forms.asp on the TA's website.

* Parties (licensees and Sprint Nextel) who have been negotiating in good faith, but who continue to have significant differences, should consider asking the TA to begin mediation before the end of the mandatory negotiation period.

Licensees have many resources at their disposal to assist in reconfiguration activities. The TA's website (www.800TA.org) maintains the latest guidance regarding the process. In addition, there are members of the Public Safety community working for the TA who are available to assist licensees with efforts to complete activities within the process - either via phone or in face-to-face settings. Licensees with questions or concerns are always encouraged to contact the TA directly via email at [e-mail] or by phone at 888-800-8220.

About the 800 MHz Transition Administrator, LLC

800 MHz Transition Administrator, LLC (TA LLC) is the Transition Administrator (TA) for the reconfiguration of the 800 MHz band mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). TA LLC has contracted with BearingPoint, Inc., Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. and Baseline Telecom, Inc. to perform the duties of the TA. Among its duties, the TA establishes reconfiguration guidelines, specifies replacement channels, reviews reconfiguration cost estimates, monitors payment of reconfiguration costs, manages the relocation schedule, facilitates issue resolution and administers the alternative dispute resolution process. TA LLC uses information it receives solely for the purposes of administering the 800 MHz reconfiguration process and may disclose such information to the FCC or other authorized parties pursuant to the requirements of the 800 MHz Order or other applicable laws.