APCO Encourages Agencies to File Comments on 700MHz Proposal

APCO, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International, announced that the Federal Communications Commission has opened a docket (RM-11348) to receive comments on a proposal from Cyren Call Communications to reallocate 30 MHz of spectrum now slated for auction in the 700 MHz band.

Under the proposal, said APCO, the spectrum would be assigned instead to a public safety broadband trust, controlled by public safety representatives. The trust would arrange for public/private partnerships to facilitate deployment of a nationwide public safety broadband network using the 30 MHz of spectrum. The network would also be available for commercial users, subject to pre-emption when needed for public safety.

APCO recommended that public-safety agencies file brief comments in this proceeding making the following points:

• State and local government public safety agencies need wide-area, mobile broadband communications capability and improved interoperability.
• Broadband networks should be built and maintained to meet public safety requirements, not just commercial needs.
• Congress and the FCC should take steps to ensure that 30 MHz of additional spectrum is reallocated and assigned to a public safety broadband trust for the benefit of public safety communications.

APCO's prior statement on this issue is available online. Comments should reference RM-11348, said APCO and can be filed electronically through the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Those filing should enter 11348 in the "proceeding" box, said APCO. Comments should be filed by November 29 if possible.