700 MHz Spectrum for Safety Studied by FCC
The FCC voted Wed. to seek comment on bids to provide public safety with wireless broadband at 700 MHz, including a proposal to use 12 MHz of 24 MHz set aside for public safety after the DTV transition to launch a national safety broadband network and related issues.
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The rulemaking offers the FCC a chance to explore broader questions raised by Cyren Call’s proposal of a 30 MHz set aside to offer broadband to public safety. Though not cited specifically by the FCC, Verizon Wireless is eyeing a 12 MHz broadband network idea, which it has yet to make public. Questions raised by the rulemaking include benefits of spectrum sharing and of creating a national licensee, plus safety agency use of off-the-shelf equipment, a regulatory source said. Details are minimal, but the notice is expected to consist mainly of questions, with few tentative conclusions.
“We expand upon our earlier inquiry by seeking comment on a national approach to maximize public safety access to interoperable, broadband spectrum in the 700 MHz band,” Chmn. Martin said: “This proposal could offer many public safety benefits and is consistent with public safety’s views on achieving an interoperable broadband network.”
Comr. Copps welcomed the inquiry. “Government- commercial sharing of public safety spectrum raises a host of complex technical and policy questions -- the margin for error is uniquely low, and we must be exceptionally confident that there are no unintended consequences flowing from any actions we approve,” he said: “We simply cannot afford to ignore innovative ideas that could potentially revolutionize existing public safety spectrum management.”
The rulemaking should spur a “dialogue on using broadband solutions for public safety” and “more spectrum being allocated to achieve true nationwide public safety interoperability,” Cyren Call said.
But the Media Access Project questioned whether industry proposals deserve more FCC attention. “The FCC’s action today essentially recreates the Cyren Call proposal the Commission rejected last month,” the group said: “While this rulemaking has the virtue of complying with the applicable statute, the same problems that afflicted the Cyren Call proposal afflict the proposed rulemaking as well. Notably, the proposal would create a monopoly national franchise for one lucky provider.”