Policy & Law Commentary

Sometimes you have to laugh, if only to keep from crying

I never thought I would see the day that my pets would have a 911 system, much less one that, at first glance, appears to be as good as mine. I’m trying to decide whether I find such a thing amusing or absurd.

Haitian earthquake another unwanted reminder of first-response needs

When disaster doesn’t strike for some time, it’s easy for policy-makers to become complacent about preparations for events that statistically may not happen for a long time, particularly when money is tight in a bad economy. But this time, Congress has the stark reality of the Haitian earthquake fresh in everyone’s mind as it determines the fate of the D Block and potential avenues for funding a nationwide public-safety network.

When it comes to 911, you get what you pay for

Nearly always, when those in need dial 911, the system works flawlessly. But there are times when it doesn’t, and that’s when the media jumps all over the situation, like white on rice.

FCC finally moving on signal booster use, but issue isn’t so clear

The mobile-operator and public-safety communities have been waiting for nearly five years for the FCC to act on petitions regarding the proper use of cellular signal boosters — otherwise known as cellular amplifiers — which increasingly are being used to amplify signals in areas with poor cellular coverage.

New year, new decade, same U.S.-Mexico rebanding problem

All we have heard from federal officials for more than two years is that “progress” is being made in U.S.-Mexico negotiations. But the nature of such high-level negotiations is that nothing substantial is said until a deal is done.

Efficiency consistency

A common source of confusion stems from the terms “efficiency” and “equivalent efficiency” found in various FCC narrowbanding rulings. The FCC does not mandate channel width; it mandates spectrum efficiency.

Narrowbanding notice helps, but some questions still need answering

The bottom line is that narrowbanding is a mandate, not an option. There’s no alternative such as operating on a secondary basis; if you are operating a radio system in the affected bands that uses 25 kHz channels, you are in violation of the FCC’s rules and will face consequences.

D Block language in conference report captures attention

A few lines in an appropriations bill conference report regarding the 700 MHz D Block has public-safety officials scrambling for clarification over directions to have the FCC auction the spectrum that many hoped would be reallocated for first-responder–agency use.

Utilities could be the broadband partner public safety needs

Almost two years ago, the FCC tried to forge a public-private partnership between public safety and a commercial operator during the auction of the D Block, but that auction infamously failed to attract a qualifying bid.

TV spectrum battle promises to be difficult

The FCC asked for comments regarding the prospect of reclaiming television spectrum that could be reallocated to support wireless broadband services. If this notion sounds familiar, that’s because it is.

Sometimes you have to laugh, if only to keep from crying

Haitian earthquake another unwanted reminder of first-response needs

When it comes to 911, you get what you pay for

FCC finally moving on signal booster use, but issue isn’t so clear

New year, new decade, same U.S.-Mexico rebanding problem

Efficiency consistency

Narrowbanding notice helps, but some questions still need answering

D Block language in conference report captures attention

Utilities could be the broadband partner public safety needs

TV spectrum battle promises to be difficult

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