The FCC asked for comments on spectrum needs of emergency respons...
The FCC asked for comments on spectrum needs of emergency response providers. It said it needs the input to study short- and long-term spectrum needs among emergency responders, as mandated by the Intelligence Reform & Terrorism Prevention Act of…
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2004. The FCC must report to Congress by Dec. 17. Specifically, the Commission wants to hear about the need for, operation and administration of a potential nationwide interoperable broadband mobile communications network. Comments should say whether Congress should provide an additional allocation of spectrum in the 700 MHz band for emergency response provider communications and gauge the extent to which commercial wireless technologies ought to be used to satisfy emergency response providers’ communications needs, the FCC said. The Commission wants backers of additional spectrum allocation to accommodate public safety interoperability to identify specific frequency bands that can be designated for that purpose, and to offer support for the amount of spectrum identified. Comments also should discuss potential benefits and difficulties associated with use of spectrum in the identified bands for emergency response/interoperability communications, the FCC said. Comments are due April 28. FCC Comr. Copps said a “useful” report to Congress should: (1) Include a survey of what spectrum is being used by which entities across the country. (2) Assess whether the FCC is “matching spectrum with appropriate physical characteristics to current and future public safety needs.” (3) Indicate whether some bands are being underutilized due to changed public safety needs. (4) Assess current interference in public safety bands. (5) Identify varying approaches to interoperability and their success or failure. (6) Identify availability of interoperable channels and the extent they are used. (7) Decide how a nationwide interoperable network could connect not only local police and fire entities, but also the FBI, DHS, FEMA and other critical federal agencies. “We must begin to understand that emergency rooms and the medical community are integral parts of emergency response and homeland security,” Copps said: “If we build a system that excludes the medical community it will be dangerously incomplete.”