FCC Revises 700 MHz Rules to Advance Interoperable Public Safety
Communications and Promote Wireless Broadband Deployment.
In a Second Report & Order (Order), the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) revised the 700 MHz band plan and service rules
to promote the creation of a nationwide interoperable broadband network for
public safety and to facilitate the availability of new and innovative wireless
broadband services for consumers.
FCC Adopts Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Seeking Comment on Enhanced 911 Location Accuracy and Reliability Requirements
for Wireless Carriers and Interconnected VOIP Providers.
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on tentative conclusions and issues related to
Enhanced 911 (E911) location accuracy and reliability requirements for wireless
carriers and providers of interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
services. The NPRM seeks to ensure that E911 service meets the needs of public
safety and the American people. The NPRM also takes into consideration the
evolution in the use of wireless devices and the further development of location
technologies.
In Section III.A of the NPRM the Commission tentatively concluded that, as proposed by the Association of
Public Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO), wireless
carriers would be required to meet Phase II location accuracy and reliability
standards under Section 20.18(h) at the service area level of PSAPs.
In Section III.B the Commission seeks comment on a number of other tentative
conclusions and proposals, including: (1) if FCC were to require licensees to
meet the standards of Section 20.18(h) at the PSAP level, and decide to defer
enforcement of Section 20.18(h) as so defined, how long we should defer
enforcement; (2) the tentative conclusion to establish a single location
accuracy requirement irrespective of technology; (3) how advances in location
technologies and the use of hybrid technologies that employ both handset- and
network-based technologies should impact our analysis; (4) whether a more
stringent accuracy requirement should be adopted; (5) how and by what date to
require compliance with a uniform and/or new accuracy requirement; (6) the
methodology for accuracy compliance testing, particularly when wireless phones
are used indoors and in rural areas; (7) the tentative conclusions to establish
a mandatory schedule for accuracy testing and to require carriers to
automatically provide accuracy data to PSAPs; (8) whether to require carriers to
provide E911 location information when a wireless phone roams to an area that
uses a different location technology or in which there are no automatic roaming
agreements between carriers; and (9) the tentative conclusion that to the extent
that an interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service may be used
in more than one location, service providers must employ an automatic location
technology that meets the same accuracy standards that apply to services
provided by circuitswitched commercial mobile radio services (CMRS) carriers.
Canada and U.S. Reach Agreement
The agreement will facilitate deployment of public Safety services near
the U.S.-Canada border in the 764-776 MHz and 794-806 MHz frequency bands.
On June 1, the FCC held a Spectrum Summit: Spectrum Policy
and Management: Building Public Safety Communications.
The Summit
included expert panels composed of representatives from the public safety
community, government and the communications industry. The panelists discussed
issues related to the creation, implementation and management of public safety
spectrum, as well as the benefits of enhancing public/private partnerships to
support a nationwide interoperable public safety communications network.
FCC Seeks Comment on Implementation of a Nationwide,
Broadband, Interoperable Public Safety Network in the 700MHz Band. (Docket
06-229)
The Commission adopted a Ninth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that
proposes a national, centralized approach to maximize public safety access to
interoperable, broadband spectrum in the 700 MHz band. In addition, the
initiative seeks to promote the deployment of advanced broadband applications,
related radio technologies, and modern, IP-based system architecture.
FCC Adopts Order Implementing Katrina Panel Recommendations.
