Public safety asks Congress

[Gregg Lengling]

By Heather Forsgren Weaver
Mar 9, 2005


WASHINGTON

A coalition of nine local and public-safety advocacy groups, led by
the Association of Public-safety Communications Officials, released a
statement urging Congress to pass a hard date to end TV's transition
to digital technology.

"We are writing to remind Congress that this issue is not just about
reclaiming radio spectrum for new commercial services, it is not just
about off-air reception of TV signals, and it is not just about
spectrum auction revenue to help balance the budget. Ending the DTV
transition is also, and we believe most importantly, about making
spectrum available for our nation's first responders," said the
groups. "Public-safety agencies have been waiting since 1997 for this
spectrum. Federal Communications Commission rules are in place,
states have been issued licenses, interoperability standards have
been adopted, and radio equipment already exists to operate in the
new spectrum. However, without a firm date for the end of the DTV
transition, and thus a firm date for the nationwide availability of
the new spectrum, most public-safety agencies cannot begin detailed
planning, purchasing or constructing of new radio systems."

In 1997, Congress said that on Jan. 1, 2007, broadcasters would have
to return the extra 6 megahertz of spectrum given to TV broadcasters
to facilitate the DTV transition. But there was a caveat: TV
broadcasters could keep the spectrum if more than 15 percent of the
homes in their viewing areas could not receive digital signals.
Removing the caveat has become known as establishing a hard date and
has been widely encouraged by the wireless industry, which wants
access to that spectrum.

Once the spectrum is returned, 24 megahertz has been set aside for
public safety.

"The spectrum cannot be used in most heavily populated areas until
the end of the DTV transition. Until then, many public-safety
agencies will be forced to continue operating on dangerously
congested radio systems, to postpone activation of fully
interoperable radio networks in their regions, and to forgo new
communications tools needed to enhance law enforcement, fire
protection, emergency medical services and homeland security," said
the groups.

The statement was signed by APCO, the Congressional Fire Services
Institute, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the
International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Major Cities Chiefs
Association, the Major County Sheriffs' Association, the National
Association of Counties, the National League of Cities and the
National Sheriffs' Association.

Source:
http://www.rcrnews.com/news.cms?newsId=21760