Kathleen Wallman, who chaired the FCC’s Public Safety National Co...

in 1999 and recently completed its work on nationwide public safety interoperable communications systems. They included narrowband standards for public safety officials using 700 MHz radios to communicate interoperably. The NCC also completed work on and recommended a wideband data standard for that spectrum’s wideband data interoperability channels. “Wide area systems are in the planning process and will be implemented soon in areas where incumbent television stations don’t pose an obstacle,” Wallman told the Commission. The NCC, whose charter expired July 25, covered a process that involved 300 members over 4 years. Among its last recommendations was a wideband data standard that could make “cutting-edge” technology available, including digital transmissions of fingerprints to police vehicles, she said. Wallman said the National Public Safety Council would assume responsibility for advising the FCC on interoperability and other critical public safety communications issues. For areas of the country where public safety spectrum at 700 MHz was encumbered pending the DTV transition, Wallman said the work of the NCC “is on hold until the broadcasters can be migrated out of that spectrum.” In general, she said public safety would need more spectrum, particularly for homeland security initiatives.