WASHINGTON-Public-safety advocates of the Consensus Plan to solve interference in the 800 MHz band spoke by telephone with FCC Chairman Michael Powell May 27, expressing concern Nextel Communications Inc. will walk away from any plan that includes 2.1 GHz as replacement spectrum.
“The public-safety associations reiterated their support for the Consensus Plan and expressed grave concern that Federal Communications Commission selection of replacement spectrum at 2.1 GHz would leave public safety without a solution to the interference problem, as Nextel has made it clear that it will not proceed with the 800 MHz realignment under those circumstances. The public-safety association noted that, in contrast, Nextel has indicated that it will fund and initiate the 800 MHz realignment process immediately upon FCC adoption of an order that provides replacement spectrum at 1.9 GHz, despite anticipated litigation by those attempting to overturn the decision,” said Robert Gurss, director of legal and government affairs for the Association of Public-safety Communications Officials.
The FCC is considering spectrum in either the 1.9 GHz or 2.1 GHz bands as replacement spectrum for airwaves Nextel would give up as part of a retuning plan for the 800 MHz band. Nextel prefers 1.9 GHz spectrum, while Verizon Wireless and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association advocate spectrum in the 2.1 GHz band.
The Consensus Plan would shuffle the 800 MHz band to eliminate the current situation where public safety, private wireless, Nextel, other SMRs and cellular carriers are intermingled. In exchange for giving up spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands and for paying to retune public safety and private wireless, Nextel has asked for 10 megahertz in the 1.9 GHz band. Nextel; the Industrial Telecommunications Association, which represents private-wireless interests; and some public-safety advocacy groups support the Consensus Plan. Other public-safety advocacy groups have expressed concern about the Consensus Plan.
Meanwhile, the Journal News of Westchester, N.Y., urged the FCC to quickly make a decision in an editorial that ran Monday. In the same editorial, the paper expressed support for legislation sponsored by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) to implement nationwide first-responder interoperability within five years.
The Connecting the Operations of National Networks of Emergency Communications Technologies (CONNECT) for First Responders Act of 2004 was introduced last month.
“It’s time to close the communications gap that left so many New York firefighters and police without hope on Sept. 11. Interoperable equipment will protect our first responders and, in turn, enable them to better protect the public during emergencies. Congress must step up to the plate and provide the vital resources and tools our first responders need,” said Lowey.
The Connect for First Responders Act would create an Office of Wireless Public Safety Interoperable Communications within the Department of Homeland Security and establish a $5 billion grant program.
Lowey is also a co-sponsor of the Homeland Emergency Response Operations Act, which would set a hard date for the return of analog TV spectrum. Some of that spectrum-24 megahertz-has been allocated for public safety with a portion dedicated to interoperable communications.
The House telecommunications subcommittee will hold a hearing tomorrow on the status of the transition to digital TV.
