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>