https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-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
    • Events
    • 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
    • Galleries
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Events
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • WHY ATTEND
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Registration Opens April 2019-Join Our 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


It’s time to deal with the political realities of FCC 700 MHz proposal

It’s time to deal with the political realities of FCC 700 MHz proposal

Virtually everyone likes the recommendation calling for Congress to provide $6.5 billion in grant funds for the buildout of the public-safety network and an ongoing fee charged to broadband users to generate the $6 billion to $10 billion needed to pay for the operating costs for the next decade. Most agree that building out the network on a parallel path with commercial deployment makes sense.
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 23rd March 2010

A week after the FCC released the national broadband plan, there still is a lot of buzz in the public-safety communications sector about the agency’s plan for a nationwide, wireless broadband network for first responders in the 700 MHz band.

Reactions have been remarkably consistent on the various aspects of the plan. Virtually everyone likes the recommendation calling for Congress to provide $6.5 billion in grant funds for the buildout of the public-safety network and an ongoing fee charged to broadband users to generate the $6 billion to $10 billion needed to pay for the operating costs for the next decade. Most agree that building out the network on a parallel path with commercial deployment makes sense.

Public-safety officials have expressed concerns about details surrounding roaming, priority access, commercial-network hardening, control issues and network-sharing arrangements with potential commercial-carrier partners. Both public safety and commercial carriers have expressed a desire for more information regarding the business relationship they would have in a partnership environment. While they want additional clarity, first responders wouldn’t consider any of these items a “deal-breaker.”

By far, the biggest negative reaction to the plan is that the FCC recommended the 10 MHz D Block spectrum be auctioned to commercial operators, as is mandated by current law. Public safety wants Congress to reallocate the spectrum for first-responder use as emergency broadband communications are expected to increase dramatically during the next several years.

“At the end of the day, they can give us all the money in the world,” Charles Dowd, deputy chief for the New York Police Department, said during his keynote speech at the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) two weeks ago. “But, if we don’t have enough spectrum, we can’t do our job.”

An FCC recommendation supporting this position would have helped public safety’s cause on Capitol Hill. Of course, that didn’t happen. And most Beltway sources believe there is virtually no chance federal lawmakers would reallocate the D Block without an FCC recommendation.

After all, changing existing law is tough under the best circumstances. Changing existing law in a manner would oppose the recommendation of the FCC — the federal government’s expert agency on spectrum matters — and the lobbying efforts of many commercial carriers is an even more daunting uphill battle.

We’ve written numerous times in this space that reallocating the D Block to public safety would be ideal, because it would ensure that first responders have the capacity they need during most emergencies, would limit the need for public safety to roam onto commercial networks and allow greater flexibility to partner with other government/critical-infrastructure organizations to promote greater interoperability and potential provide new sources of revenue to help offset network costs.

But now that it appears D Block reallocation will not happen, public safety is faced with a critical question: Does it want to continue pursuing the battle for the D Block on Capitol Hill, or does it want to endorse the FCC proposal, which calls for Congress to help fund the network?

For most in public safety, the answer is they want both the D Block and the funding. But the concern voice by many Beltway sources is that public safety continuing to push for the D Block will be construed as lack of support — if not outright opposition — to the FCC plan. That perceived lack of support could have a significant negative impact on the viability of the FCC plan.

That sentiment is based on the fact that, without the recommended funding, virtually everyone agrees the FCC plan will fail. And without public safety’s support, everyone agrees that funding legislation will go nowhere. Finding $6.5 billion for a public-safety network will be tough amid concerns about government overspending as November election approach. If public safety is unsure it wants the network as proposed by the FCC, why would lawmakers even bother considering it?

Of course, even with public safety’s support, the funding aspect of the FCC plan faces considerable challenges. From a legislative standpoint, clear momentum for funding probably needs to be in place before fall, when federal lawmakers will hit the re-election campaign trail.

Timing also is important on the rollout side. The FCC plan is based on the notion of building out the network in conjunction with commercial 4G rollouts, which will begin in earnest late this year. Missing this window of opportunity would double the cost of deploying the public-safety network, according to FCC officials. Of course, that would make it at least twice as difficult to secure the needed funding.

In other words, time is short, and the clock is ticking. Fast action is needed on several fronts.

Public safety must decide soon whether it wants to support the FCC plan or continue to wage a two-front war — on the D Block and funding — that most Beltway sources deem to be unwinnable.

The FCC must move quickly to get public safety’s support. Details about the aforementioned concerns regarding roaming, network hardening and business models need to resolved so first-responder organizations and potential carrier partners are comfortable with the plan. Oh, and let’s not forget that someone needs to ensure that a guard band between the D Block and the public-safety block is not needed; failure to do so could undermine the value of both the D Block and the public-safety broadband spectrum.

Finally, Congress needs to act within the necessary timetable. Funding legislation needs to be passed — and, most importantly, actually appropriated — before the end of the year, or it will be tough to build out the network as the FCC envisions, in conjunction with commercial 4G rollouts.

With this in mind, until the FCC provides its details and Congress allocates the recommended funding, the D Block auction should not be conducted. This will help ensure that federal policymakers act with the urgency needed, and it will make it easier for commercial operators to bid on the D Block. After all, the D Block likely would be much more valuable to commercial carriers if a potential public-safety partner has billions of dollars in federal support than if first responders have no promise for funding.

More important, what the FCC and Congress simply cannot allow to happen is for public safety to give up the D Block and fail to provide adequate funding sources for the buildout and maintenance of the proposed public-safety network. Such a scenario would be a travesty for the nation, particularly as we approach the nine-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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

Tags: Commentary Newsletters Policy & Law Commentary

Related


  • Redefining communications for today’s mobile workforces
    Communicating with personnel was already a challenge for companies with workers in the field, deskless staff who travel, as well as widespread workforces in siloed divisions and office locations. Now that COVID-19 has all but eradicated traditional in-person relationships and many in-office team members are now working remotely, keeping everyone synced is an even more […]
  • Bridging digital divide by fostering digital inclusion and economic recovery
    If the pandemic has highlighted anything, it is that connectivity is synonymous with a lifeline and an opportunity. The level of connectivity an individual or a household has directly determines the quality of education and health care they receive. This also influences a person’s ability to establish and maintain a livelihood while also obtaining government […]
  • Public safety needs a better way to triage emergency calls
    The overarching goal of the public-safety community is to ensure that 911 callers receive the most appropriate emergency response as quickly as possible. Lives often are on the line in an emergency, and every second matters. Achieving a balance between sending the optimal response to an emergency and having it arrive as fast as possible […]
  • In challenging year, working with public safety to move FirstNet forward
    It has been a challenging year for the nation, especially for the first responders who are on the front lines of wildfires, hurricanes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. During this historic year, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) remained committed as ever to helping first responders save lives and protect communities. As part of our […]

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

  • Proposed three-digit suicide-prevention ‘Lifeline’ would benefit public-safety communications
  • The importance of commercial broadcast radio to public safety
  • How 3D location can increase situational awareness and improve operational efficiency
  • Bill to reclassify 911 telecommunicators is long overdue

Commentary


Ransomware? Let’s call it what it really is: extortionware

21st February 2021

Redefining communications for today’s mobile workforces

18th February 2021

Hi-tech sewer can help safeguard public health, environment and economies

18th February 2021
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


UrgentComm

California PD: ‘Game-changing’ Live911 streaming of emergency calls accelerates responses dlvr.it/RtPgXS

24th February 2021
UrgentComm

Why Tuscon is building its own 4G network dlvr.it/RtPDG5

24th February 2021
UrgentComm

SolarWinds attackers lurked for ‘several months’ in FireEye’s network dlvr.it/RtP07s

24th February 2021
UrgentComm

Buffalo’s 48 hours to navigate a mission-critical transition to remote work dlvr.it/RtNwfl

24th February 2021
UrgentComm

Digital transformation, connectivity create platform for sustainable mobility dlvr.it/RtNwYm

24th February 2021
UrgentComm

Florida SLERS renewal could wait until May as SLERS-2 procurement begins dlvr.it/RtLWGB

23rd February 2021
UrgentComm

Westell, End-to-End Public Safety BDA Solutions dlvr.it/RtKrf9

23rd February 2021
UrgentComm

Newscan: SolarWinds CEO recommends liability protections for sharing information about incidents dlvr.it/RtJwP7

23rd February 2021

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
  • Microwave/RF
  • T&D World
  • 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 © 2021 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