FCC to consider ‘options and alternatives’ in 800MHz public safety interference conflict
The FCC adopted a long-anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking yesterday that the agency said would explore ways to improve the spectrum environment for public safety operations in the 800MHz band. The FCC stated that increasing levels of harmful interference to public safety communications in the 800MHz band must be remedied. Its rulemaking proceeding seeks comment on all available options and alternatives.
“This action supports one of the commission’s key goals of ensuring public safety agencies have access to adequate spectrum to support their critical missions,” a statement from the FCC reads.
The FCC said that it has long recognized that the nation’s public safety agencies require effective radio communications systems free of harmful interference if they are to adequately protect the safety of lives and property. It described the 800MHz band as “important” for public safety communications, recounting that it was first designated for public safety use in 1980.
In releasing the notice, the FCC recognized that while public safety agencies have been implementing new systems in this band, their systems have been subjected to increasing incidents of harmful interference from neighboring commercial providers. The commission took note of industry and public safety reports that have documented the interference problems in the 800MHz band, along with a reallocation proposal submitted to the FCC by Nextel Communications, Reston VA.
Here are the specifics of the NPRM as described by the FCC:
The commission solicits comment on how best to remedy interference to 800MHz public safety systems consistent with minimum disruption to [the FCC’s] existing licensing structure and assurance of sufficient spectrum for critical public safety communications. The FCC also seeks comment on a Petition for Rulemaking filed by the Personal Communications Industry Association seeking amendment of Section 90.621 of the FCC Rules. Also by incorporating the record in WT Docket No. 99-87, which deals with matters related to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the agency requests comment on the terms and conditions of licenses in the 900MHz land mobile band if it is used to relocate displaced licensees.
The FCC noted that its primary objective in this proceeding is to explore all available options and alternatives for improving the spectrum environment for public safety operations in the 800MHz Band. Specifically, the adopted NPRM takes the following actions:
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Describes the current configuration of the 800 MHz band for public safety and non-public safety systems.
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Discusses the causes of interference to public safety communications.
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Tentatively concludes that increasing levels of harmful interference to public safety communications on the 800MHz band must be remedied.
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Discusses various means of reconfiguring the 800 MHz band in a manner that will effectively minimize interference to public safety radio systems from commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) stations.
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Requests information on the amount of spectrum sufficient to meet the needs of public safety.
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Discusses means of handling licensing and frequency coordination if the 800 MHz band is restructured and incumbent 800 MHz licensees are relocated to other suitable bands.
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With respect to any necessary incumbent relocation, discusses potential relocation bands and who would be reimbursed for relocating and who would pay the associated cost.
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Considers complementary means of reducing interference to 800 MHz public safety communications in addition to reconfiguration of the 800 MHz frequency band, including receiver standards, stricter limits on out of band emissions and more robust public safety signals.
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Describes and discusses PCIA’s petition for rule making seeking to consolidate the Business and Industrial/Land Transportation pools.
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Requests comment on the terms and conditions of licenses in the 900MHz land mobile band if it is used to relocate displaced licensees.