https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • IWCE
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Premier Partners
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookie Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • TU-Auto
  • In the field
    • Back
    • In the field
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Internet of Things
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Call Center/Command
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Network Tech
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Operations
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Regulations
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • Organizations
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
Urgent Communications
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Omdia Crit Comms Circle Podcast
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
    • Sponsored content
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Why Attend
    • Exhibitor Listing
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Join the Event Mailing List
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • TU-Auto
  • newsletter
  • In the field
    • Back
    • Internet of Things
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Cybersecurity
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
acc.com

Policy


Spectrum indecision

Spectrum indecision

Almost a year after the 700 MHz D Block was supposed to be auctioned to create a shared wireless broadband network for public safety, the future of the spectrum apparently will remain in limbo until a new FCC is constituted
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 1st January 2009

Almost a year after the 700 MHz D Block was supposed to be auctioned to create a shared wireless broadband network for public safety, the future of the spectrum apparently will remain in limbo until a new FCC is constituted as part of president-elect Barack Obama’s administration.

FCC spokesman Rob Kenny said the agency still hopes to establish rules for another auction of the D Block — the 10 MHz of commercial spectrum that would be paired with 10 MHz of public-safety broadband spectrum to form the spectral foundation of a public/private shared network. However, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin was not optimistic about the possibility when acknowledging that the D Block item would not be on the agenda for the commission’s December meeting.

“At this point, I’m not sure there is any consensus or willingness among the other commissioners to move forward on [D Block rules],” Martin said during the press conference, according to a transcript provided by the FCC. “I think that it is important for us to do it, but I haven’t gotten a sense from any of the commission offices that they are yet willing to move forward.

“If I do, I would certainly be anxious for us to do it as soon as we could — in January, if there was a consensus or a majority ready to move forward. But, I haven’t gotten that sense from the commissioners.”

If the FCC does not approve new rules for the D Block in January, there could be a substantial delay in addressing the matter, as the FCC experiences a transition period in conjunction with a new presidential administration.

Before the FCC’s January meeting, Republican Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate will leave the commission, unless unexpected last-minute actions are taken to extend her expiring term. After the January meeting, Martin also is expected to leave the FCC after being replaced as chairman following Obama’s inauguration.

As is often the case in the aftermath of a presidential election, the Beltway rumor mill is working overtime regarding the identity of the next FCC chairman. Certainly current Democrat Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein are in the discussion, but it also is possible that they could be passed over for a newcomer or be offered other posts outside the FCC by the Obama administration.

Making such a delay more likely is that there appears to be little consensus within the commercial wireless or public-safety communities, much less a sense of agreement between the two groups.

During the comment period that closed last month on the D Block proposal, public-safety representatives expressed concern about relaxed network requirements in the FCC’s proposed rules that were approved in September, and several big cities — New York, Boston, San Francisco and Seattle, to name a few — claimed they would not subscribe to the network under the proposed model.

Those big-city representatives have advocated that the FCC license public safety’s 10 MHz of 700 MHz broadband spectrum — as well as the adjacent 10 MHz D Block frequencies, with the approval of Congress — directly to local agencies, which could pursue buildout plans that best fit their needs and resources.

Charles Dowd, deputy chief for the New York City Police Department, said New York City “didn’t think [the FCC’s public/private proposal] was a sound idea to begin with” and welcomed the delay. While New York City would like to pursue use of the 700 MHz spectrum on its own, Dowd said the city would adhere to any technical guidelines the FCC establishes to ensure interoperability.

Supporting the big-city proposal are the two largest U.S. wireless carriers, Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility, although both acknowledge that the FCC would be on shaky legal ground if it dedicated the D Block spectrum to public safety without Congress passing a law ordering the commission to do so.

Of course, Verizon and AT&T already own the bulk of 700 MHz spectrum auctioned last year. Smaller players see a D Block auction as their last chance to operate in the band and want a chance to bid on the airwaves. However, most of these carriers have indicated that the current economic downturn would preclude them from bidding, because securing billions of dollars in the tight capital markets would be difficult if not impossible.

As a result, many close to the situation believe the fate of the D Block might not be decided until the middle of 2009. If an auction is conducted, most believe the earliest timetable would have bidding start in late 2009 or early 2010.

Given the lack of consensus on key issues, additional time may be needed to forge a workable plan for the D Block, said mobile wireless consultant Andrew Seybold. “I hate to delay first responders again, but I’d like them to take some time and do something better [than the current FCC proposal],” he said.

But a lengthy delay could have detrimental impact on two groups: the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST) — licensee of public safety’s 10 MHz of spectrum — and public safety entities operating narrowband systems on these frequencies that need to be relocated.

With no revenue source, the PSST has been financed with a loan from its adviser, Cyren Call Communications — an arrangement that has led to significant criticism from Congress. PSST Chairman Harlin McEwen said the PSST board has approved a contract with Cyren Call for another year of financing, but the deal is contingent on getting FCC approval to ensure that the PSST would be allowed to raise money to repay the debt, McEwen said. As of press time, the FCC had not provided any guidance on the matter.

McEwen declined to speculate what the PSST would do if the Cyren Call financing deal is not approved by the FCC, noting that the PSST board would have to determine a new course of action. However, McEwen acknowledged the possibility that the PSST might have to “cut Cyren Call loose” if some sort of financing arrangement cannot be found.

Meanwhile, public-safety agencies wanting to operate narrowband systems at 700 MHz could be in limbo until the D Block matter is resolved. FCC proposals have called for the 47 agencies already operating narrowband networks at 700 MHz to be relocated to spectrum in the band, with the cost of the relocation being paid by the D Block winner. With no D Block winner, there is no funding source to pay for the relocation, which is needed to clear public safety’s spectrum for broadband uses.

“This is absolutely horrific for public safety,” McEwen said. “For those 47 agencies, this is terrible — they’ve been waiting for more than a year and nothing’s been decided. … They’re stuck.”

Tags: Policy Wireless Networks

Most Recent


  • Researchers uncover RaaS affiliate distributing multiple ransomware strains
    A new threat group is leveraging a relatively large network of malicious servers to distribute and manage multiple ransomware families including prolific ones such as ALPHV, Quantum, and Nokoyawa. The group has been active since at least June 2022 and appears to have links to the operators of Cl0p, Play, Royal, and Cactus ransomware families […]
  • FCC Chair starts process to restore Title II authority over ISPs
    FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the agency will begin a proceeding to restore the FCC’s authority under Title II of the Communications Act, reestablishing oversight over broadband companies and enacting nationwide net neutrality rules. In a speech at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Rosenworcel announced her plan to hold a vote on a notice […]
  • Sean McDevitt appointed to FirstNet Authority board
    U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo today announced the appointment of commercial communications veteran Sean McDevitt as the latest board member for the FirstNet Authority, which oversees the development of the FirstNet nationwide public-safety broadband network. “It is with great pleasure that I announce the selection of Mr. Sean McDevitt to serve on the FirstNet […]
  • FAA approves Zipline drones for long-distance deliveries
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved another company to fly delivery drones longer distances without visual observers.  Zipline International received FAA approval to deliver commercial packages in Salt Lake City, Utah and Bentonville, Arkansas beyond visual line of sight.  Zipline’s Sparrow drone will release the packages using a parachute. Known as Zips, the drones […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

To leave a comment login with your Urgent Comms account:

Log in with your Urgent Comms account

Or alternatively provide your name, email address below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • New Orleans-area 911 center inks multiyear APEX deal with Carbyne to replace call-handling system
  • Spectrum indecision
    Newscan: Feds recover millions from pipeline ransom hackers, hint at U.S. Internet tactic
  • Cyber is the new Cold War, and AI is the arms race
  • Private wireless networks in the US start going public

Commentary


Better technology can help solve the public-safety staffing crisis

26th June 2023

Updated: How ‘sidelink’ peer-to-peer communications can enhance public-safety operations

  • 1
27th February 2023

NG911 needed to secure our communities and nation

24th February 2023
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


Newsletter

Sign up for UrgentComm’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about Communications and Technology.

Expert Commentary

Learn from experts about the latest technology in automation, machine-learning, big data and cybersecurity.

Business Media

Find the latest videos and media from the market leaders.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital and print audiences? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • TU-Auto

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Careers

FOLLOW Urgent Comms ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.