Month: November 2017

Public Safety Narrowband Item Circulated

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A second report and order and order on reconsideration concerning the FCC’s public safety narrowband rules was circulated to FCC Commissioners on Monday, according to the agency’s weekly list of circulated items. The item follows up on a unanimous order on reconsideration and further notice of proposed rulemaking adopted in August 2016 in PS dockets 13-87 and 06-229, Rulemakings 11433 and 11577, and WT docket 96-86 modifying the FCC’s rules to allow Compliance Acceptance Program compliance “or the equivalent to be completed after equipment certification but prior to the marketing or sale of that equipment” (TR Daily, Aug. 22, 2016).

The weekly list of circulated items also lists three items that were circulated yesterday.

A declaratory ruling in CG docket 98-170 concerning Gregory Manasher et al. responds to several questions posed by a federal district court in litigation relating to the FCC’s truth-in-billing rules. Another is an order concerning the FCC’s parts 0, 1, 51, and 61 rules that would continue the transition to the electronic payment of FCC fees. And the third is an Enforcement Bureau order.

On Wednesday, an item was circulated concerning modification of subpart G, section 0.701 of the agency’s rules, according to the list. That item deals with the makeup of the FCC’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee. —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily

SAFECOM-NCSWIC Quarterly Newsletter, Fall 2017, Published

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The SAFECOM-NCSWIC Quarterly Newsletter was published on October 31, 2017. In this edition of the newsletter, Ron Hewitt, Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) Director, provides updates on the Communication Unit (COMU) Working Group’s progress with advancing COMU 2.0, the launch of the SAFECOM Nationwide Survey, the Enhanced Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) Pilot, and more! Updates are also provided by Chief Gerald Reardon, SAFECOM Chair, and Nikki Cassingham, National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) Chair.

SAFECOM and NCSWIC Monthly Bulletins Published. Each month, SAFECOM and NCSWIC publish monthly bulletins highlighting committee activities and initiatives. The latest monthly bulletins can be found here.

SAFECOM-NCSWIC Blog: The blog continues to highlight new and ongoing OEC and stakeholder initiatives. Recent events include the OEC Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP) kicking off its Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Technical Assistance (TA) and SCIP Workshop requests cycle. Additionally, OEC is continuing its efforts to establish and build collaborative relationships with federally recognized tribes. The Emergency Preparedness Center (ECPC) Grants Focus Group (GFG) worked with federal granting agencies to update the FY 2017 List of Federal Financial Assistance Programs Funding for Emergency Communications Opportunities. For more information on OEC and stakeholder activities check out the blog!

The SAFECOM-NCSWIC Blog serves as a great tool for information sharing and dissemination. On the blog, we highlight current events, activities, accomplishments, updates, opinion pieces, and innovative ideas from the SAFECOM and NCSWIC community. If you have relevant public safety communications information you would like to share with the public safety stakeholder community, please send ideas to the SAFECOM Inbox or NCSWIC Inbox.

SAFECOM aims to improve emergency response providers’ inter-jurisdictional and interdisciplinary emergency communications interoperability across local, regional, tribal, state, territorial, international borders, and with Federal government entities.

The NCSWIC, through the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC), promotes and implements strategies for achieving effective public safety communications by developing professional partnerships and collaborating with public safety agencies and policy makers.

Support provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications. Points of view or opinions expressed are those of the originators and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of DHS.

 

IAFC: Congress Should Preserve T-Band

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The International Association of Fire Chiefs says Congress should repeal a provision in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 that requires the FCC to auction the T-band, which is used by public safety agencies in 11 major markets.  IAFC submitted a letter yesterday to the House communications and technology subcommittee, which held a hearing on the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) (TR Daily, Nov. 1).

Congress is requiring the FCC to reallocate and auction public safety spectrum in the T-band by 2021 and relocate incumbents by 2023. Proceeds from the auction can be used to cover the relocation costs of public safety licensees. The T-band encompasses TV channels 14-20 (470-512 megahertz).

In its letter, IAFC also reiterated its support for FirstNet, which has drawn criticism from some state officials for the terms of draft spectrum manager lease agreements (SMLAs).

“Public safety fought hard to establish FirstNet because we knew that we were being left behind compared to the technologies available for personal-use communications,” IAFC said. “The IAFC is united with other national public safety organizations behind the desire to see FirstNet succeed and we will continue to fight for public safety’s access to the best available technology to keep the public safe.” Continue reading →

Pennsylvania, South Carolina Opt in to FirstNet

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Pennsylvania and South Carolina today announced that they would opt in to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), becoming the 27th and 28th states to do so, in addition to two territories. Governors have until Dec. 28 to decide whether to opt out or not.

“When an emergency strikes, Pennsylvania first responders are called upon to handle the situation and support the community,” Gov. Tom Wolf (D.) said. “As we have learned from recent events in many parts of the country, a vital component needed for coordinating a response is the ability for all responders on the scene to share information as events unfold.” Continue reading →

Nelson, Klobuchar Introduce Bill to Spur NG-911 Deployment

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Sens. Bill Nelson (D., Fla.) and Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) introduced legislation (S 2061) today to accelerate the deployment of next-generation 911 (NG-911) services. Among other things, the Next-Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2017 would expand a federal NG-911 grant program, although it doesn’t include a specific authorization level, would establish an advisory board to recommend updates to the definition of NG-911, and would state that it is the sense of Congress that the NG-911 transition “is a national priority and national imperative” and that it should be completed within a decade.

Sens. Nelson and Klobuchar had circulated a draft version their legislation in February (TR Daily, Feb. 28).

“Upgrading the nation’s 9-1-1 system is literally a life and death matter that must become more of a national priority,” said Sen. Nelson, who is ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.  “In this digital world, Americans must have more than one way to access the 9-1-1 assistance they need and expect when emergencies occur.  No plea for help should go unanswered because a call center doesn’t have the technology to receive a text, video or picture.” Continue reading →

Schumer Calls on Trump to Restore UASI Funding

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In the wake of yesterday’s attack in New York City, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) called on President Trump today to restore proposed Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding. The administration’s fiscal year 2018 budget proposed cutting UASI funds by 25% (TR Daily, May 23).

“I’m calling on President Trump to rescind his proposed cuts to this vital anti-terrorism funding immediately,” Mr. Schumer said today. “Our city relies on this funding to track potential terrorists and snuff out attacks. The NYPD, who bravely and quickly responded to the scene yesterday and brought the mayhem to an end, depends on this anti-terrorism funding to keep our city safe, day-in and day-out.”

Courtesy TRDaily

FirstNet Aims to ‘Minimize’ Impact of Not Fulfilling Leases, Poth Says

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First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Chief Executive Officer Mike Poth stressed at a House hearing today that FirstNet will work to “minimize” the impact on states and first responders of opt-out states that fail to fulfill the terms of spectrum manager lease agreements (SMLAs). He also said that the agreements provided to states are only “working draft” documents. Mr. Poth’s testimony during a hearing before the House communications and technology subcommittee sought to address criticism of FirstNet from state officials about the terms of draft SMLAs, including spectrum lease fees, charges for failing to meet subscriber milestones, and termination charges that for some states could run into the billions of dollars.

Oklahoma became the 28th state or territory today to opt in to the FirstNet system when Gov. Mary Fallin (R.) announced her decision. The state is the fourth to opt in after issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for an alternative state plan.

During today’s hearing, only a few lawmakers pressed Mr. Poth on the SMLAs, with others asking questions about interoperability, rural coverage, cybersecurity, and other issues.  Many made statements or asked questions favorable to FirstNet and AT&T, Inc., its network partner.

The most critical questions came from Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D., Calif.), who noted that her state could face a $15 billion termination fee if it opted out and then failed to fulfill terms of its SMLA. Some state officials, including one who testified at today’s hearing, John Stevens, the statewide interoperability coordinator and FirstNet state point of contact (SPOC) for New Hampshire, have complained that the termination fees seem geared to penalize states that seek to opt out of the network and contract with a vendor to build their radio access networks (RANs). “Who came up with that? How do you make that determination? And why are there penalties?” Ms. Eshoo asked Mr. Poth. “Is this a penalty for not opting in?”

“No, absolutely not,” Mr. Poth replied.

“Well, what is it for?

He said that FirstNet wanted to share with states how much it could cost “if we had to reconstitute the network from zero after a state … implementation didn’t work, that it could be as high as that.” But he added, “We’re working with every state, including California, to minimize any of those impacts, and hopefully they wouldn’t even get to that point.” Continue reading →