New York City said it needs to be able to start using 700 MHz spe...

wireless network since it went online citywide earlier this year using 10 MHz of leased spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band, it told the FCC. “First Responders have assumed many new roles because of the serious nature of the threats to our nation and having to protect against more sophisticated weapons.” Commercial networks “have not been incentivized to build public safety- grade networks, as the return on investment is apparently not in line with their business models,” the city said. “Providing the levels of redundancy and resiliency that are required for mission critical communications is costly and complex, and, therefore, often better addressed by government-owned networks. This does not preclude the use of commercial networks by government and public safety, but limits their value when critical communications are an absolute requirement.” Among the uses of the network by the Police Department, specialized units are transmitting video during major incidents and operations and the Emergency Services Unit uses the network to monitor and query the NYPD’s Computer Aided Dispatch system to improve response times and provide pre-arrival information, the city said. “Officers also have access to secure databases that contain critical response and mitigation information. Incident video is also available through an interoperable video sharing application that provides real-time feeds from traffic, tactical, and news cameras.”