Virginia State Police Object to FirstNet Plan for Clearing Band 14
The Virginia Department of State Police raised objections to a FirstNet proposal for clearing incumbent systems from Band 14 (758-769/788-799 MHz), the spectrum that the authority is using to build its network. The FCC Public Safety Bureau sought comment in…
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November on an Oct. 20 letter from FirstNet detailing its plans (see 1511050060). Initial comments were due Wednesday. The state said its comments express the views of the 21-agency Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS). Incumbent statewide public safety systems “must be properly protected during the transition” to FirstNet, Virginia said. “It is not appropriate procedurally to have a new public safety licensee (FirstNet) control at its discretion the transfer schedule of existing public safety licensees,” the state said. “This is not intended as a reflection on FirstNet's ability or good faith, but when a conflict develops between First Net's legitimate needs and timetable, and an existing public safety licensee's legitimate needs and timetable, FirstNet should not be allowed to unilaterally make that decision.” The state of Hawaii, which has systems that must move from the band, said the FCC, consistent with past practice, should require that FirstNet pay transition costs. The state said FirstNet has committed to do so and a federal grant funding notice is expected. The comments were filed in docket 06-150.