The Wireless Future of Public Safety

The New America Foundation hosted a panel Wednesday on the Federal Communications Commission’s proposals for a nationwide broadband network dedicated to public safety communications. FCC Chief of Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau James Barnett, Jr. and FCC Chief Technologist Jon Peha represented the Commission. They were joined by Robert LeGrande, principal of LTSS and former Chief Technology Officer for the District of Columbia, Steve Sharkey, Senior Director of Regulatory & Spectrum Policy for Motorola, Kathleen O’Brien Ham, Managing Director of T-Mobile, and Ed Thomas, former Chief of the FCC Office of Engineering & Technology.

FCC agents proposed utilizing a cellular architecture—similar to the wireless technology commercial providers currently use—and allowing public safety priority roaming access onto commercial networks during periods of overload. Panelists debated whether 10 MHz of TV band spectrum is adequate for nationwide public safety needs or whether future increases in usage will necessitate greater spectrum and capacity. Questions also arose over the source of funding for the program and the FCC’s ability to raise sufficient funds through a spectrum auction.

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