Michigan Seeks FCC Waiver for Electric Companies To Use 800 MHz Public Safety Bands

The Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) uses frequencies in the 800 MHz public safety band. DTMB is requesting the waiver to also allow the Cherryland Electric Cooperative and the Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op to use the bands on a general basis. Neither company is eligible to use public safety frequencies, but both seek use of the bands so they can use the MPSCS to exchange critical information with state agencies, DTMB said in a filing posted Tuesday. The companies would have access to selected emergency and proprietary “talkgroups” on the MPSCS trunking system and would have access to the analog mutual aid channels, DTMB said. “The interoperability provided by this waiver would provide dedicated communication paths between local and regional emergency management offices and public utilities that are today limited to retail grade commercial phone services,” DTMB said. “These services have proven to be challenged during times of local emergency conditions and during regular first responder efforts for structure fires and other mandatory joint response emergencies.” Cherryland and Presque Isle have agreed to share infrastructure on an as-needed basis and believe they will use their equipment on the public safety bands only during daylight working hours. MPSCS constantly monitors the performance of its network and can restrict or shut down the companies’ access "should it become evident that their use of the network is negatively impacting public safety agencies['] access,” DTMB said. “Michigan does not anticipate a network congestion problem but is able to quickly address any issues that could arise.”