NYPD Urges Multiple Networks for Public Safety Broadband
The New York City Police Department urged the FCC to adopt rules that allow multiple regional public networks to develop in the 700 MHz band, in reply comments on a Jan. 25 rulemaking by the commission. The Utilities Telecom Council said there is broad support to expanding the definition of public safety under the Communications Act to include utilities and other critical infrastructure industries (CII).
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"Regional, Tribal, State and local public safety officials must be active participants in designing, deploying, and managing” a public safety broadband network, NYPD said. “Since the vast majority of public safety incidents are local in nature and scope, regional and local public safety agencies must be afforded maximum flexibility in managing their respective 700 MHz broadband wireless networks.” The FCC is examining both a single national network and a “network of networks” approach as advocated by the New York department.
The NYPD said the network should allow for voice as well as data. The department said it’s considering launching a pilot program for voice over broadband. “We should be free to do so without seeking the approval of a national organization that may have a different perspective,” NYPD said. NYPD also advised the FCC not to write detailed rules for early launches in the 700 MHz band, a stand that follows similar advice from national public safety groups (CD April 13 p8). “LTE technology is new and evolving and Commission rules and regulations require an extended time to adapt or to change,” the department said.
San Diego, in its reply comments, also urged the FCC to adopt light-handed rules for the network. Technical standards proposed by the FCC in the rulemaking notice are “either unnecessary or premature at this time,” the city said.
Motorola Solutions said the FCC should do what it can to promote early roll out of public safety networks in the 700 MHz band. “The Commission should accomplish this through the grant of additional waivers to enable early deployment of 700 MHz public safety broadband networks, and by moving toward carefully crafted final rules that are focused on enabling the interoperable evolution of public safety broadband networks,” Motorola said.
UTC and Southern Company Services stressed the important public safety role played by utilities and other CII. “None of the comments oppose allowing utilities and CII to access the spectrum,” UTC said. “As such, the comments generally agree that utilities and CII should be able to share the 700 MHz public safety spectrum with public safety entities.” UTC said it agreed with comments by the city of Seattle on the important role played by CII: “Fouled water, failure to remove wastewater, lack of electricity can each result in immediate damage to lives and property.”