iConnect undergoes rebanding of frequency allocation

Within the next three months, iConnect will undertake a major network optimization scheme that will relocate iConnect’s bandwidth from the current lower 800 MHz spectrum to a new and higher 800 MHz spectrum frequency.

iConnect’s network rebanding is part of a mandate by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to Sprint Nextel in the U.S. to reconfigure its frequency allocation in the 800 MHz bandwidth to allow more effective utilization by consolidating all their block of frequency bands in the higher end of the spectrum.

The FCC also required iConnect in the CNMI and Guam to undergo the same reconfiguration since it operates the same iDEN Push-To-Talk and interconnect cellular system as that of Nextel in the U.S.

The CNMI and Guam are the last in the U.S. to undertake a nationwide effort which began in 2004, to reband its commercial radio and phone systems.

“Rebanding will allow iConnect to more effectively use the 800 MHz bandwidth and its network and system since all blocks of frequency bands will be consolidated in the higher end of the allocated spectrum. As an offshoot of this rebanding, the reconfigured bandwidth would allow for optimization of frequency usage and thus help iConnect provide improved PTT and cellular reception and service,” said Matt Giger, iConnect’s chief business development officer.

The rebanding process involves not only network upgrades through reconfiguration and replacement of antennas and transmitters but also involves the rebanding or the frequency reconfiguration of iConnect iDEN or Push-To-Talk handsets so they can continue to operate under iConnect’s new reconfigured bandwidth. iConnect assures its subscribers that rebanding will not change nor affect any of their handsets’ features and functionality, including their contact list and settings.

“Rebanding of iConnect iDEN handsets is necessary that’s why we are encouraging our subscribers to visit our iConnect outlet on Saipan to get their phones rebanded. An iConnect representative will visit Tinian and Rota in August to reband phones. iConnect iDEN phones sold after March 2011 and some corporate account and consumer units have already been rebanded and thus are not required to be brought into iConnect for rebanding. All other iConnect iDEN Push-To-Talk units need to be turned in for rebanding before October 31, 2011,” said Giger.

The rebanding of iConnect Push-To-Talk handsets will be at no cost to subscribers and qualified units will be entitled to “Rebanding Bucks” or certificates that can be used to redeem for select accessories from iConnect, Giger said.

For over a decade, iConnect has been the provider of instant connect Push-To-Talk, or PTT, digital cellular and text messaging on Guam and the CNMI. Aside from offering prepaid and postpaid PTT with interconnect cellular services based on Motorola’s cutting edge iDEN technology on both the CNMI and Guam, iConnect also offers prepaid and postpaid GSM services in Guam.

To find out more information about rebanding, log on to iconnectsaipan.com or call 888-8888.[B][I] (iConnect)[/I][/B]