Public Safety Spectrum Trust tapped by FCC to partner with D-Block winner

The Federal Communications Commission selected the Public Safety Spectrum Trust Corp. as the licensee that will team up with the winning bidder of the commercial D-Block spectrum license in the upcoming 700 MHz auction to deploy a dual-use wireless broadband network.
“We are grateful to the FCC commissioners for recognizing the significant amount of work and progress achieved by the PSST to fulfill the FCC’s guidelines for creating a nationwide network for public safety,” said Harlin McEwen, chairman of the PSST. “Holding the spectrum license is a responsibility the PSST takes very seriously as we embark upon building an unprecedented interoperable communications system for public safety.”
The 700 MHz auction is scheduled to begin Jan. 24. The PSST, which brings 10 megahertz of spectrum to the table, will have to negotiate a network-sharing agreement with the eventual D-Block winner. Cyren Call Communications Corp., led by wireless veteran Morgan O’Brien, will advise the PSST in those negotiations and on other matters associated with the rollout and operation of the national commercial/public-safety network. The FCC will arbitrate disputes between parties on the network-sharing agreement that remain unresolved after a six-month negotiating period.
Last week, the PSST released a document containing information about public-safety expectations and preferences for the shared-use national wireless broadband network. The PSST said it likely will release an updated version of the document, reflecting additional feedback, by the end of the month.
“With the 700 MHz auction date rapidly approaching, our continued priority is to lay the foundation for a productive and beneficial partnership with the commercial D-Block auction winner,” said McEwen.
The PSST is said to have had discussions with the two largest mobile-phone carriers, AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless, as well as with startup Frontline Wireless L.L.C. and Internet search engine giant Google Inc., about joining forces on the 700 MHz commercial/public-safety broadband network.