FCC Seeks Comments on Rules for Public Safety Network
The FCC Public Safety Bureau sought comment on interoperability, out-of-band emissions and equipment certification rules for a proposed public-safety broadband network using 700 MHz spectrum. A public notice Tuesday from the bureau builds on preliminary rules that 21 local governments which won waivers last week will have to follow if they build out systems early (CD May 13 p1).
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"The Waiver Order establishes technical, operational and governance conditions for early deployment and requires each Petitioner to submit to the Bureau, within a specified time window, a detailed plan for achieving interoperability with other public safety broadband networks,” the notice says. “However, there remain open several key technical issues focused on network deployment.”
The bureau asks about the kinds of applications public-safety agencies are likely to use on the network and whether the FCC can rely on those in the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council’s Broadband Task Force Report, http://xrl.us/bhmaut. The report lists Internet access, VPN access, a visited network homepage and text messaging. “What additional applications are needed?” the bureau asks. “Are some unnecessary? Do we need to specify any performance measures for these applications within a given network and while roaming on other networks?"
The bureau also asks about priority-access rules for the new network. “As a minimum, we envision that priority access will include both the access to the common air interface and prioritization of traffic. What other elements, if any, should be included in this definition of priority access?” The bureau sought advice on whether it should allow for categories of roaming other than the two specified in the waiver order, for home-routed traffic and local breakout traffic. “We seek comment on any additional roaming requirements, such as handoff between public safety networks especially in case of regional emergencies,” the bureau said. “We seek comment on whether there would be any technical ramifications requiring rule changes for the operation of public safety networks should the Commission decide to allow roaming to and from commercial networks.”
The bureau asks if the out-of-band emissions limit imposed in the waiver order, 43 + 10logP dB, is the right limit for public safety’s dedicated broadband spectrum block. It also asks about rules for certifying equipment. In the waiver order, the FCC required only that equipment meet the technical requirements of 3GPP Release 8 for LTE. “It is common practice within the wireless industry for a network operator to qualify user devices and other equipment that will be used on its network to ensure compatibility with industry standards as specifically applied within its network,” the notice said. “Should the Commission require that public safety network operators avail themselves of these processes to ensure mobile devices selected for public safety use will operate not only on public safety networks but be able to roam onto specific commercial carrier networks as well?” The bureau also asks how the FCC can guarantee that the standards keep up with changing technology.