Outreach News - 6/10/11

1. On February 2, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (the Commission) amended its Part 11 rules governing the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to provide for national testing of the EAS and the collection of data from such tests. Newly amended section 11.61(a)(3)(iii) of the Commission rules states in relevant part: “Notice shall be provided to EAS Participants by the Commission at least two months prior to the conduct of any … national test.” The Commission hereby provides notice to all EAS participants that the first nationwide test of the EAS will occur on November 9, 2011, at 2 PM EST.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES THAT FIRST EVER NATIONWIDE DIAGNOSTIC TEST OF THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM WILL OCCUR ON NOVEMBER 9, 2011 AT 2 PM EST. (DA No. 11-1030). (Dkt No 04-296 ). PSHSB . Contact: Lisa Fowlkes at (202) 418-7452, Tom Beers at (202) 418-0952, or Gregory Cooke at (202) 418-2351

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1030A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1030A1.pdf

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1030A1.txt

2. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES REGION 55 (NEW YORK - BUFFALO) PUBLIC SAFETY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEES TO HOLD 700 MHZ REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY PLANNING AND 800 MHZ NPSPAC REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY PLANNING MEETINGS. (DA No. 11-1036). (Dkt No 92-287 ). PSHSB

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1036A1.doc

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1036A1.pdf

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1036A1.txt

3. In the News

New government tests show LightSquared's planned LTE network interferes with GPS service. LightSquared's planned hybrid satellite-terrestrial LTE network sits in spectrum directly adjacent to bandwidth used by GPS, sparking concern that the high-powered signals coming from LightSquared's network will overload sensitive GPS receivers. The National Space-Based PNT Advisory Board reported yesterday that a series of 32 tests showed significant interference on GPS receivers used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), John Deer, U.S. Coast Guard, NASA and Garmin.

http://www.wirelessweek.com/News/2011/06/Technology-LightSquared-Interferes-GPS/?et_cid=1659903&et_rid=54129357&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wirelessweek.com%2fNews%2f2011%2f06%2fTechnology-LightSquared-Interferes-GPS%2f

Navigation Forum Outlines Interference Found in LightSquared Tests. The National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing released results of interference tests conducted with several government agencies and LightSquared, which is planning to launch a hybrid terrestrial and satellite 4G service. Link to interference test results:
http://www.pnt.gov/advisory/2011/06/bunce.pdf

Senate Committee Passes Public Safety Spectrum Bill BroadbandBreakfast.com The D-Block is a 10 MHz section of broadband spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency range and is highly sought after by mobile broadband carriers as the optimal frequency for their communications networks to operate on.

http://broadbandbreakfast.com/2011/06/senate-committee-passes-public-safety-spectrum-bill/

United public-safety stance turns tide in DC Urgent Communications At that time, there was considerable bickering within the public-safety community about how to make the vision of a 700 MHz broadband network for first responders a reality.

http://urgentcomm.com/policy_and_law/commentary/dblock-vote-turns-tide-20110609/

Bipartisan Public Safety Spectrum Bill Faces Tough Test. The bill would not only allocate the 10 megahertz block of spectrum in the 700 MHz band known as the D Block for the building of public safety broadband.

http://www.bna.com/bipartisan-public-safety-n12884902054/

2011 June | Mutual Aid - During the past year, debate on Capitol Hill regarding 700 MHz spectrum and funding of public safety's 700 MHz broadband spectrum.

http://blog.firechief.com/mutual_aid/2011/06/

Courtesy of TR Daily

AIDES GAUGE CHANCES FOR SPECTRUM, CYBERSECURITY LEGISLATION

Senate staffers working on telecom sector issues today raised questions about whether the spectrum bill approved by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee this week will be able to clear Congress and be enacted in time for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, but said they are encouraged by progress being made on the bill.

Speaking at an emerging technology leaders forum today featuring federal agency and congressional staffers and sponsored by “Politico,” officials acknowledge that the Senate’s spectrum bill could run into some obstacles once it moves to the House that could slow progress on the measure. But they said any hurdles would not be likely to kill the bill, although they might affect the timetable for passage in the House.

“It will certainly be a challenge to move that quickly,” said David Quinalty, a Republican staffer on Senate Commerce. “We are certainly going to do everything to make that a reality.” Noting that passage of a bill would result in significantly more spectrum for the private sector, spectrum for a public safety interoperability network, and $10 billion for reducing the deficit, he said the bill should be a winner for all. “How does Congress not move that bill,” he said.

But Matthew Hussey, a telecom aide to Sen. Olympia Snowe (R., Maine), who opposed the bill in committee, sounded a more cautionary tone. While the overall goals of the bill are solid, he said his boss is worried that rural areas won’t have the funds to extend broadband networks, and that the bill lacks of backstops that would ensure public safety interoperability.

In the end, he said, the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) review of the legislation could have a big effect on its movement in the House. “It is a good question, a lot will be predicated on when CBO comes back and the score on the bill,” he said.

Zachary Katz, legal adviser to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, said his boss is glad Congress is moving in the right direction on the issue, but said more must be done.

Mr. Quinalty said there is room for compromise on the Senate’s spectrum bill, especially when it comes to the D-block spectrum. “The House maybe isn’t there yet, but we wanted to show them a path forward,” he said. He expressed optimism that any differences could be worked out in conference committee.

Officials also discussed the need to move forward with implementing cybersecurity policy changes. Ari Schwartz., senior Internet policy advisor at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, noted that a White House report released yesterday (TRDaily, June 8) shows the administration believes there is a significant role for the private sector in improving security short of government mandates.

“What we tried to do is focus more on the not critical infrastructure space. We said we are not going to regulate that space, but the private sector needs to step forward on this,” he said. “We think industry can do it today, and we want to work through a process.” If done successfully, it could alleviate much of the need for cybersecurity legislation, Mr. Schwartz said.

Meanwhile, Vivek Kundra, the White House’s chief information officer, said the administration also sees its move toward more cloud computing infrastructure as one that could improve security, not hinder it. He noted there are already 4,700 federal systems that have been outsourced already with no apparent downside. “There is a legitimate concern when you think about security, but I wouldn’t bucket it between cloud and other technologies,” he said.

Mr. Quinalty said privacy is a top concern in the cybersecurity debate, and that Senate Commerce members still need to look at the issue more closely, and weigh whether more rules would result in a reduction in innovation. “It is not clear to us quite yet how to respond to that,” he said, noting that “privacy, and the notions of that, evolve over time.”

Mr. Hussey said the federal government needs to get a better handle on the issue, and stated Ms. Snowe has sponsored legislation with Senate Commerce Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D., W.Va.) to make some improvements. “What we are seeing is rampant cyber threats on a daily basis,” he said. But he acknowledged that the issue is complicated by the fact that jurisdiction over it is shared by several different committees.

On universal service and intercarrier compensation reform, Mr. Katz said the FCC has a team of officials representing different bureaus and offices moving forward with reviewing the hundreds of comments the agency received as part of a notice of proposed rulemaking, and expects to issue an order in the next few months. He said that while Commission officials are working on the order themselves, they would welcome any input from the industry on the matter.

One of the key issues is modernizing the USF high-cost fund so that will be able to support broadband service, and to do that in a way that doesn’t raise program costs. Mr. Katz said the FCC has “a lot of good ideas” it is considering, but will need to make some tough decisions on areas to support. He said while broadband competition is important, controlling costs also is an important goal.

“Mobility is very important as a service people are increasingly depending on in public safety and the daily choices of their lives,” he stated. But he said the Commission has to “strike the right balance . . . to make sure the burden consumers and businesses pay doesn’t start working against” increased adoption.

Mr. Hussey said he could see Congress getting involved in the issue to help provide the FCC with oversight help for the program. But he said, when you deal with universal service, you also need to bring in intercarrier comp, “and that gets very technical and complicated,” which could make lawmakers wary of delving into the matter.

On other matters, Mr. Quinalty said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R., Texas), the ranking member on Senate Commerce, plans to move forward with her resolution of disapproval for the Commission’s network neutrality rules once they officially become law. “Our economy is struggling as everyone knows right now,” he said. “Republicans don’t see reason to intervene where there is little to no reason to. Without any demonstrated consumer harm, there is no reason to weigh in on this.” - Ted Gotsch, ted.gotsch@wolterkluwer.com

BLOOMBERG ENDORSES D-BLOCK BILL AS PUBLIC SAFETY URGES SENATE PASSAGE

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I.) has endorsed legislation (S 911) approved by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee yesterday (TRDaily, June 8) that would reallocate the 700 megahertz band D block to public safety.

“The additional spectrum would allow our police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical teams to instantly access relevant floor plans, maps, and photos to aid in search efforts for survivors, and our EMS workers would be able to wirelessly relay patient information to hospitals while en route,” Mayor Bloomberg said in a letter to Sens. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D., W.Va.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R., Texas), the respective chairman and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee. “Rather than relying on bits and pieces of scattered spectrum that would prevent large data transmissions, every local, state, and federal first responder would be linked seamlessly on the D Block. Establishing this coast-to-coast communications network is a crucial tool in continuing efforts to combat all of the challenges that our public safety professionals face, from international terrorism to local weather emergencies.”

Meanwhile, Bill Carrow, president of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, said in a note to group members today that public safety’s work to secure the D block is far from done. “We have a long road ahead and we must stay vigilant in our grassroots effort to get the job done,” he said. “Now every Senator in every state needs to be urged to co-sponsor the new Committee-backed bill, S. 911, as the full Senate takes up the measure within the next few weeks.”

Also, in a research note today, Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc., suggested that while the bill’s passage in the Senate “is not assured,” it could get through next month. The bill cleared the committee yesterday on an overwhelmingly bipartisan 21-4 vote. However, Stifel, Nicolaus noted that a number of amendments not offered at yesterday’s markup could come up on the Senate floor.

“Whether S. 911 passes or stalls, the broadcast/MSS [mobile satellite service] incentive auctions and broader spectrum auction campaign could well become part of the big-picture fight between the parties over the federal debt ceiling,” the firm added. “Republicans are demanding significant deficit reduction as the price for raising the debt ceiling, and spectrum auctions are a bipartisan way to raise revenue. But the high-level fiscal focus on cutting the deficit could lead to budget priorities outweighing other policy considerations, increasing the likelihood the D block would be auctioned for a commercial wireless public-safety build and calling into question the proposed funding of the public-safety network.

“However, yesterday’s committee action went well for S. 911’s proponents overall, and we believe it confirmed that a public-safety/spectrum bill has much basic political appeal and will be difficult to oppose, particularly in the open when it’s brought to a vote,” the research note added. “The challenge remains to resolve all the thorny legislative disputes and build sufficient consensus and momentum in order to keep the effort from languishing in the shadows.”- Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com