Month: May 2016

FCC’s Daily Digest for May 2, 2016, Issues Erratum

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The FCC released a Report and Order on April 25 confirming that Emission Mask H must be used for digital transmissions in 800 MHz NPSPAC operational channels, which will help protect public safety systems from adjacent channel interference. The FCC stated, ”In this Report and Order, we adopt rules that guard against interference to critical public safety communications in the 800 MHz National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) band (806-809/851-854 MHz) by confirming the emission mask applicable to digital transmissions in the NPSPAC band.”

In an effort to promote interoperability, the Report and Order also requires that the analog FM mode of operation be used on FCC-designated interoperability and mutual aid channels in the VHF, UHF and 800 MHz NPSPAC bands.   The FCC issued a subsequent Erratum slightly modifying a detail in these rules adopted in the R&O.  However, the main requirements remain.

Report: 5.9 GHz DoT Analysis Failed to Consider Spectrum Sharing Impact

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May 2, 2016–A 2014 research report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on a planned vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology requirement in new light vehicles was flawed, in part because it failed to consider spectrum sharing in the 5.9 gigahertz band with Wi-Fi devices, according to a report released today. The report released today was prepared for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association with support from Comcast Corp. It was written by Coleman Bazelon and Lucrezio Figurelli of The Brattle Group

The 2014 NHTSA report was released along with an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) that took the next steps to require dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) V2V technology in new light vehicles (TRDaily, Aug. 18, 2014). An NPRM in the proceeding is expected to be released this month.

Separately, the FCC has circulated a public notice seeking comments to refresh its record in its 5.9 GHz band proceeding ahead of planned testing by the agency (TRDaily, April 22). Continue reading →

FirstNet Weekly Update to the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), May 2, 2016

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FirstNet News

Last month, FirstNet President TJ Kennedy and FirstNet staff had the opportunity to conduct meetings with executives from the Seattle, Washington Police and Fire departments.  These meetings provided great insight into their departments’ unique technical, operational and purchasing needs.  These sessions were part of FirstNet’s expanding outreach efforts with metropolitan areas during 2016, as discussed on state/territory single point of contact (SPOC) calls.  Over the next two months, FirstNet will participate in national association meetings with the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs, the Major Cities Police Chiefs and the U.S Conference of Mayors.  In preparation for these meetings and eventual service adoption, FirstNet will reach out in the hopes to meet with additional cities.  Should you like more information on FirstNet’s on-going metropolitan outreach efforts or any other outreach initiatives (e.g., federal, tribal, rural), please email PSAC@firstnet.gov.

Last week, FirstNet participated in three State governance body meetings in California, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.  FirstNet has now completed six State governance body meetings in 2016.  These engagements are designed to set honest expectations and identify and discuss key desires/issues for the State Plan and the State Plan review process.  Additionally, they allow for further engagement with the key influencers to the Governor.  A follow-up SPOC webinar is in the works for May to further discuss the consultation task team (CTT) process and Quality of Service, Priority and Preemption (QPP) topic.

FirstNet CEO Mike Poth and Board member Teri Takai spoke to nearly 100 federal executives and technology industry representatives at the FedScoop Public Sector Innovation Summit in Arlington, Virginia on April 26.  Discussion topics included background on FirstNet, achievements and anticipated milestones in the program, and the potential of FirstNet to bring about technological innovations for public safety and the Internet of First Responder Things.  Additional emphasis was placed on the idea that the network will require both the creativity and innovation of the private sector and the buy-in of federal agencies with a public safety role. Continue reading →

NTIA Hears from State Officials about Ongoing Broadband Efforts

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State officials attending the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition’s annual conference this week told officials from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration about initiatives that have grown out of their now-expired State Broadband Initiative funding administered by NTIA.

 For example, Utah’s Broadband Outreach Center in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development “created an Advisory Council, which convenes broadband providers— who are often competitors—to hear directly from communities about areas of need and to ask for support from the state to expand their networks. These conversations often inform state strategy. One such suggestion from a broadband provider gave vital suggestions on how to structure Utah’s Economic Development Map and combine fiber availability with utility information, transportation assets, population statistics and lifestyle features,” Lynn Chadwick and Brian Gibbons, senior communications policy specialists at NTIA, said in a blog post today.

“And Jeff Sural from North Carolina’s Department of Information Technology discussed the multi-agency planning effort his office is leading to develop a statewide broadband plan, which will be published in the next few months. His team surveyed 3,500 leaders, conducted two dozen listening sessions and consulted with 60 experts. Part of their planning includes preparing communities to engage with broadband providers. The state has a traveling team of technical experts to help instruct communities on promoting broadband deployment by aggregating demand and identifying funding opportunities,” they added. —Lynn Stanton, lynn.stanton@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily