https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
  • 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
    • Cookies Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • Microwave/RF
    • T&D World
    • 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
  • 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
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookies Policy
  • 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

Commentary Newsletters


Perhaps a corner has been turned on 700 MHz

Perhaps a corner has been turned on 700 MHz

Last week at the International Wireless Communications Exposition (IWCE) in Las Vegas, Verizon Wireless’ Steve Zipperstein floated the idea of giving the 10 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band—known as the D Block—to public safety
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 24th March 2009

Last week at the International Wireless Communications Exposition (IWCE) in Las Vegas, Verizon Wireless’ Steve Zipperstein floated the idea of giving the 10 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band—known as the D Block—to public safety, which would pair it with 10 MHz of its own airwaves in the band, giving public safety 20 MHz of spectrum to build broadband networks for first responders. Instead of a single national licensee for the spectrum, regional or local licensees in the public-safety sector would solicit commercial operators via a bid process to construct networks—built to a national standard, to enable interoperability—that likely would try to leverage existing infrastructure, which would save enormous time and money.

It’s not a new idea, said Stacey Black, vice president of strategic programs/marketing in AT&T Mobility’s government solutions group, noting that AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless both presented the idea to the FCC last July. However, it is an idea that reflects feedback that the carriers have been getting from the public-safety sector, according to Black. Indeed, several major cities have said they now favor this new approach.

The fly in the ointment is that this approach would require legislative action from Congress, as current law requires the FCC to auction the spectrum to commercial interests, which would then work with public safety in a public/private partnership to build out the network. Black believes the climate is right for such legislative change.

“If you look at the Obama administration’s web site, there’s a statement that says they want to support public-safety communications,” said Black, who was speaking during a panel discussion on this topic at IWCE, two days after Zipperstein’s keynote speech. “I think the D Block issue has gone on long enough, and I think a lot of people [in Washington] would like to get it off their desks. So if any time is right, this is the time.”

Erika Olsen, deputy chief of the FCC’s public safety and homeland security bureau, agreed. “I don’t have a Magic 8-ball, but the Obama administration has made several comments supporting public-safety communications, so we do have a new, fresh environment.”

Black said AT&T agrees with Verizon Wireless that Congress should create a taxpayer-funded stimulus package to fund the buildout of these networks. “There isn’t a better time to ask than now,” he said.

Like Zipperstein, Black said AT&T and its lobbyists would support public safety if it decided that it wanted to pursue this idea and ask Congress for new legislation.

“We plan on standing behind public safety and its efforts to get the legislative change required to reallocate the D Block to public safety,” Black said. “But public safety has to take the lead on this.”

After the session, Black explained why. “It’s a public-safety initiative, first of all,” he said. “And public safety has made its point very clear in comments to the FCC regarding the third [further notice of proposed rulemaking] that they want local control and the [spectrum] allocated to them. They need to be the ones telling legislators their requirements. We stand ready to back them up, if they need it.”

Harlin McEwen, chairman of the Public Safety Spectrum Trust, believes that nationwide oversight of this network is essential to ensure that a “haves versus have-nots” dichotomy doesn’t ensue. He also thinks the nationwide public/private partnership model is still workable. But McEwen said during IWCE that he’s open to new ideas.

“If this proposal doesn’t succeed in one form or another, then public safety will have lost a one-time opportunity to dramatically improve its communications,” he said. “And I would find that very sad.”

It not only would be sad, it would be unconscionable. That said, I am more hopeful than ever that a workable plan will be found and that broadband networks will be built. I’ve always believed so, given its mega-importance, but I have to admit I’ve had doubts lately. Those doubts have been dispelled, at least for the moment. I think public safety will unite behind this approach. As McEwen hinted, it doesn’t matter how it gets done, just that it does. Did anyone think this network would become a reality without the support of both Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility? And now both of these behemoths are telling public safety, “This is how to get it done.” I think public safety will warm to the message. And, given the enormous lobbying muscle that first responders and the commercial-wireless sector wield on Capitol Hill, I believe Congress will warm to it, too.

Of course, as with just about everything in life, the devil will be in the details, and plenty of questions already are being asked concerning this new approach. A big one is, where will the money come from should Congress fail to pass a stimulus package for this initiative? Black believes it is a question easily answered.

“Using the leveraged-network model, we believe a one-hundred-square-mile buildout would cost less than $5 million dollars” he said. “We think that kind of buildout cost could be covered by the current grant programs that are out there.”

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. As a friend of mine once told me, the best way to eat an elephant is one spoonful at a time—and this is one big elephant. There’s no sense worrying about how to pay for wireless broadband capability for first responders until it’s been decided how it will be built.

What do you think? Tell us in the comment box below.

Tags: Commentary Newsletters Policy & Law Commentary

Most Recent


  • LTE and liability: Why the fire service must move forward with digital incident command
    The grief following a firefighter line-of-duty death (LODD) is beyond words. Fellow firefighters are devastated. Families are shattered. In the aftermath, questions arise about the circumstances: Was the loss preventable? What was the chain of actions leading to the catastrophe? Central to these questions is the role of incident command (IC), the command’s situational awareness, […]
  • Partnership and collaboration must be the foundation for emergency communications
    I’m from a little town in West Texas. As a Texan, I like getting straight to the point: I believe that emergency communications are a matter of national security. Because this message is so important, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has designated this April as the first-ever Emergency Communications Month. At CISA, we […]
  • FirstNet success means no hypothetical 'shots' need to be fired, Swenson says
    As public-safety officials today commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the FirstNet Authority being created, the deployment of the FirstNet nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) has proceeded well enough that no one needs to face a firing squad, according to former Authority board Chair Sue Swenson. “Save it for another time,” Swenson said during a recent […]
  • Show support for law enforcement on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
    This coming Sunday, January 9th, is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day—a well-deserved day to thank and show support to law-enforcement officers for their dedication to duty and service to their local communities, as well as protecting the people who live and work in the communities. On behalf of L3Harris, a Florida-based company that provides critical […]

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

  • Unlocking the power of ESInets: Different NG911 provisioning approaches exist; level of control is key differentiator
  • Redefining communications for today’s mobile workforces
  • Bridging digital divide by fostering digital inclusion and economic recovery
  • Public safety needs a better way to triage emergency calls

Commentary


LTE and liability: Why the fire service must move forward with digital incident command

  • 2
6th May 2022

Partnership and collaboration must be the foundation for emergency communications

18th April 2022

FirstNet success means no hypothetical ‘shots’ need to be fired, Swenson says

22nd February 2022
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


UrgentComm

Cisco confirms data breach, hacked files leaked dlvr.it/SWV8l9

12th August 2022
UrgentComm

Researchers developing health-monitoring e-tattoo dlvr.it/SWV749

12th August 2022
UrgentComm

Partnership launches no-cost wastewater monitoring service for local governments dlvr.it/SWV5PK

12th August 2022
UrgentComm

Verizon Frontline demos connectivity and emergency response to chemical spill drill dlvr.it/SWV4cg

12th August 2022
UrgentComm

Research claims driverless tech still too easy to trick dlvr.it/SWMDts

10th August 2022
UrgentComm

Coalition expresses urgent need to NG911 funding, wants more than proposed $10 billion dlvr.it/SWL5VW

9th August 2022
UrgentComm

APCO releases NG911 guide, quickly clarifies stance on NENA’s i3 standard dlvr.it/SWKcCY

9th August 2022
UrgentComm

10 malicious code packages slither into PyPI registry dlvr.it/SWKHxl

9th August 2022

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”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 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.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X