FCC Actions

1. Today the FCC accepted the National Broadband Report. This Report will be sent to Congress in compliance with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As indicated by Chairman Genachowski, this Report was based upon an extensive number of public hearings and collectively generated over 23,000 comments from Americans.

Universally the Commissioners noted the importance of the Plan to public safety and first responders. Chapter 16 of the Plan (attached) is devoted to public safety. The chapter merits the careful attention of public safety as one major recommendation incorporated in the Plan, the commercial auction of the 700 MHz “D” block, is viewed differently from the Plan by some public safety communications officials who believe that the “D” block should be reallocated by Congress to public safety. Chapter 16 also includes many other recommendations related to issues of importance to public safety including Next Generation 9-1-1, reliability and security of broadband, shared use of wireless commercial spectrum, just to name a few topics. The Plan also calls for the identification of funding streams for important public safety services.

One comment made by several of the Commissioners related to the improved use of radio spectrum. It was noted that many countries are devoting large amounts of spectrum for 4th Generation wireless services and the FCC will be re-examining its policies to modernize the allocation of spectrum to support advanced wireless communications services. Additionally, one of the Commissioners also suggested the need for advanced hardware and software products that can assist in the maximization of spectrum.

Finally, it was noted that many future hearings and Orders will be considered to assist in the implementation of broadband. As an example, the Commission noted its tower citing rulings issued last November (attached) designed to support the implementation of wireless broadband services.

To download the entire Plan, please go to: http://www.broadband.gov/download-plan/

FCC SENDS NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO CONGRESS. Plan Details Actions for Connecting Consumers, Economy with 21st Century Networks. News Release. News Media Contact: Jen Howard at (202) 418-0506, email: Jen.Howard@fcc.gov or Mark Wigfield at (202) 418-0253, email: Mark.Wigfield@fcc.gov OCH
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-296880A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-296880A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-296880A1.txt


2. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES REGION 37 (SOUTH CAROLINA) PUBLIC SAFETY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE TO HOLD 700 MHZ REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY PLANNING MEETING. (DA No. 10-439). PSHSB
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-439A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-439A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-439A1.txt


national-broadband-plan-chapter-16-public-safety.pdf

12-11-2009FCC-09-110A1.pdf

FCC-09-99A1%287%29.pdf