PDV’s 900 MHz LMR-to-broadband proposal could be crossroads for critical-infrastructure comms

Meanwhile, the potential lessons learned from this endeavor are substantial. FirstNet and PDV could share network-deployment, hardening and prioritization tips with each other, assuming PDV uses LTE as its broadband technology. And the FCC and Congress can determine whether transitioning LMR spectrum to broadband airwaves is technically possible and logistically feasible.

After all, this effort by PDV to make this proposal has not been easy, even though it already holds almost all of the needed spectrum to make broadband happen in the 900 MHz band. More than a few people in the radio industry have questioned whether transitioning LMR spectrum in other bands—held by multiple licensees in every geographic area—to broadband is realistic.

But PDV Vice Chairman Morgan O’Brien is convinced it will happen, although it may not happen during his career.

“Sooner or later, that spectrum that we’re all occupying below 700 and 800 MHz has got to be updated, upgraded whatever, and making it narrower and narrower is just swimming in wrong global direction,” O’Brien said during an interview with IWCE’s Urgent Communications. “No one else is swimming in that direction.

“So, yes, it is a pain in the butt. Yes, it requires infinite patience, with someone willing to move it along inch by inch. But do I think it will ultimately happen? Maybe not in my productive life in the business, but I think it will happen.”

O’Brien also has a message for utility and critical-infrastructure officials that cling to hope that Congress or the FCC will allocate spectrum specifically for their purposes.

“If you’re regulatory agenda is, ‘Get more free spectrum,’ it’s doomed—you have to rework your regulatory agenda, because it won’t work in today’s world,” O’Brien said. “Who’s advising you that it might work? It won’t work—particularly if you shoot down a proposal like this, where you could have done it. What does that do to your case?”

Indeed, if the technical issues are addressed and the prioritization commitments are made, utilities and critical-infrastructure entities should embrace the notion of a PDV offering. At this junction, they need as many broadband options as possible.