Outreach News - 03/23/11

1. ILLINOIS PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY NETWORK AND NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. Resolved the issues submitted by the Transition Administrator. (Dkt No. 02-55 ). Action by: Deputy Chief, Policy Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. Adopted: 03/23/2011 by MO&O. (DA No. 11-543). PSHSB

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-543A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-543A1.pdf

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-543A1.txt

2. FCC RECHARTERS THE COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY, RELIABILITY, AND INTEROPERABILITY COUNCIL; SEEKS NOMINATIONS BY APRIL 22, 2011 FOR MEMBERSHIP. (DA No. 11-534). PSHSB . Contact: Lisa M. Fowlkes at (202) 418-7452, email: Lisa.Fowlkes@fcc.gov or Jeffery Goldthorp at (202) 418-1096, email: Jeffery.Goldthorp@fcc.gov

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-534A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-534A1.pdf

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-534A1.txt

3. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING ASKING TO CLARIFY THE SCOPE OF SECTION 337 REGARDING USE BY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES OF THE 700 MHZ PUBLIC SAFETY BROADBAND SPECTRUM. (DA No. 11-537). (Dkt No 06-229 ). Comments Due: 04/11/2011. Reply Comments Due: 04/21/2011. PSHSB. Contact: Erika Olsen at (202) 418-2868, email: Erika.Olsen@fcc.gov

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-537A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-537A1.pdf

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-537A1.txt

This is a particularly important filing that merits the attention of public safety. The Petition of Charlotte, NC is attached for your review.

Outreach News - 03/11/11

1. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES REGION 35 (OREGON) PUBLIC SAFETY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEES TO HOLD 700 MHZ AND 800 MHZ NPSPAC MEETINGS. (DA No. 11-482). (Dkt No 92-269 ). PSHSB

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-482A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-482A1.pdf

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-482A1.txt

2. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES REGION 21 (MICHIGAN) PUBLIC SAFETY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEES TO HOLD 700 MHZ AND 800 MHZ NPSPAC REGIONAL PLANNING MEETINGS. (DA No. 11-483). (Dkt No 90-221 ). PSHSB

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-483A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-483A1.pdf

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-483A1.txt

3. A number of public safety and other radio user groups have expressed serious concern regarding a section within H.R. 607. It is imperative that public safety work positively to support Congressional legislation that reallocates the D Block and provides funding for the nationwide public safety broadband network. However, there are sections of the House Bill (H.R. 607), such as Section 207(d) as well as Section 103 in Senate 28 that can be amended to better support public safety. Please contact your Congressional representatives and seek support for H.R. 607 and Senate 28 with the changes (amendments) sought by public safety. Both bills are attached for your review. NPSTC shares the concerns of many as expressed in the attached letter to the American Radio Relay League. Copies of H.R. 607 and Senate 28 are also attached for reference.

HR 607

S 28

NPSTC Letter

Outreach News - 03/07/11

1. FCC Hosts Multi-Party Public Safety Discussion; NPSTC Presents National Broadband Network Conceptual Designs

On March 3, 2011, at an FCC ex parte discussion for invited representatives of public safety, NPSTC presented the strong case for a single flexible, reliable, and vibrant national broadband network. The FCC invited representatives from NPSTC, APCO, the PSST, and the 700 MHz Broadband Waiver Recipients to attend this ex parte discussion. In its presentation, NPSTC provided high-level conceptual drawings (attached) to help illustrate the difference between the network of networks approach envisioned in the FCC’s Third R&O and Fourth FNPRM and the financial, technical, and practical advantages of a single national network architecture.

NPSTC supports one public safety nationwide network. On such a national network, roaming only occurs when moving on to a commercial cellular network rather than among public safety networks, as would be the case with a network-of-networks approach. The network-of-network solution requires multiple PLMN [public land mobile network} IDs, one for each public safety network, which forces roaming between public safety networks, and all associated engineering and business expenses for roaming replicated between each network. It creates the possibility for inconsistent user subscription fees for each network and roaming fees between public safety networks. Upgrades will be more difficult to manage and could be inconsistent across public safety networks. Public safety roaming will also be required onto commercial networks either by agreement between each public safety network, and each supported commercial network, or by an agreement between each public safety network and a clearinghouse and roaming hub.

2. Articles of interest to public safety broadband.

Key Members of Congress Move To Create Nationwide Public Safety ... Nation's Cities Weekly ... to create the framework for a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network that ... a section of spectrum known as the 700 MHz D Block to public safety, ...<http://www.nlc.org/articles/articleItems/NCW03072011/dblock.aspx>

Tri-Services Response to SMSE-018-10 Executive Summary i Executive ... The Tri-Services Special Purpose Committee on 700 MHz Broadband for Mission. Critical Public Safety Data — representing the Canadian Association of Chiefs ... <http://www.citig.ca/Data/Sites/1/action700/submission/executivesummary-tri-serviceresponsetosmse-018-10-vfinal.pdf>

Outreach News - 03/03/11

1. Emergency Communications Grants

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications, in coordination with the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, develops the annual SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants. The guidance provides recommendations to grantees seeking funding for interoperable emergency communications projects, including allowable costs, items to consider when funding emergency communications projects, grants management best practices for emergency communications grants, and information on standards that ensure greater interoperability. The guidance is intended to ensure that Federally-funded investments are compatible and support national goals and objectives for improving interoperability nationwide.

NOTE: SAFECOM is not a grant program. Funds are not available under SAFECOM. SAFECOM provides guidance to grantees applying for Federal grant funding.

Click here for the FY 2011 SAFECOM Guidance for Federal Grant Programs. Please click here for information on Federal grants that fund emergency communications, including recurring grants that support emergency communications, research grants that fund innovative and pilot projects, and past grants that may be funding ongoing projects. To search for new (FY 2011) grants funding emergency communications, please go to www.grants.gov, the Federal government’s clearinghouse for active grant notices.

2. NPSTC has filed comments relative to the FCC’s Docket entitled, “Rapidly Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture Capable of Providing Immediate Communications to Disaster Areas”. The NPSTC filing is attached.

3. In a study released Tuesday, the Phoenix Center finds that assigning the 10 megahertz of contiguous 700 MHz spectrum, the D block, to public safety could provide at least $3.4 billion more in social benefits than auctioning the spectrum for commercial use. For details, please click on http://radioresourcemag.com/newsArticle.cfm?news_id=6734.

4. The Phoenix Study described in Number Three above is attached.

Outreach News - 03/02/11

1. The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (“NPSTC”) held a meeting in San Antonio earlier in the week. As always, there were many important and timely presentations made to the attendees. Copies of presentations can be accessed at http://www.npstc.org/meetings.jsp. Among the many important actions taken at the meeting, the National Council of State Wide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) was welcomed as an Associate member. Welcome NCSWIC!

2. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU APPROVES REGION 5 (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA) 700 MHZ REGIONAL PLAN AMENDMENT. (DA No. 11-403). (Dkt No 02-378 ). PSHSB http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-403A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-403A1.pdf

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-403A1.txt

3. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES REGION 28 (DELAWARE, EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, AND SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY AREA) PUBLIC SAFETY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEES TO HOLD 700 MHZ AND 800 MHZ NPSPAC MEETINGS. (DA No. 11-405). (Dkt No 92-287 ). PSHSB

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-405A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-405A1.pdf

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-405A1.txt

4. A comment about Senate 28 and H.R. 607 (both attached) which among other things, provide funding for public safety broadband as well as transfer of the D Block from the commercial auction to first responders. Comments that we often hear relate to concerns related to Section 103 of Senate 28 and Section 207 in H.R. 607. For public safety, it is critical that we communicate our feelings regarding these bills to elected representatives. When communicating with Congressional officials, it is very important that public safety support the bills; however, one should note your concerns, if any, with specific parts of the proposed legislation. Almost always, bills are changed during the legislative process. The major public safety organizations support Senate 28 and H.R. 607 and we encourage the broader public safety communications community to join us in this support. However, if you are uncomfortable with a section of the legislation, it is suggested that you first support the legislation strongly and then tell the representative contacted about your desire to amend the bills to meet the needs of public safety.

5. With respect to the D Block transfer to first responders, some believe that the support of President Obama means that this is a “done deal”. Nothing could be further from the truth. While all of public safety is extremely grateful for the support of the Obama Administration, the decision to change the law must be made in Congress. There are many powerful interests continuing to advocate for the commercial auction. Attached is a recent filing of T-Mobile which speaks for itself.

6. Don’t forget the forthcoming Narrowbanding deadline of January 1, 2013. http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/public-safety-spectrum/narrowbanding.html

7. Members of the NPSTC Interoperability Mailing list: There are many persons who receive Outlook News through both the NPSTC Participants mailing as well as the NPSTC Interoperability mailing list. In the future, Outreach News may only be sent to the “Participants List”. Please ensure that you have registered to receive information from NPSTC through the “Participants” mailing list. Sign up for our participants list to receive general information and announcements, by sending an email request to: NPSTC-PARTICIPANTS-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

8. For persons attending IWCE next week, please stop by and visit the NPSTC booth to learn more about this important organization. NPSTC welcomes the participation of those supporting public safety communications.