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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                  News Media Contact:
August 2, 2000                          Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0654
                                        e-mail: mmccarri@fcc.gov 

     FCC TAKES STEPS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS

       Washington, DC   The Federal Communications Commission took significant steps to improve
public safety communications across the United States.  The FCC's actions will spur development of a
seamless, nationwide interoperable public safety system that will enable public safety personnel from
various agencies to interact with one another in times of emergencies.  The FCC sought comment and also
proposed rules regarding technical and operational issues of interoperability public safety channels in the
700 MHz band. 
       In the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Congress directed the FCC to reallocate 24 megahertz of
spectrum recovered from television Channels 60-69 as a result of the digital television proceeding for public
safety services.  In 1998, the FCC reallocated 24 megahertz of spectrum for public safety services and
sought comment on the best use of this spectrum.  The record in this proceeding led to the adoption of the
700 MHz band plan and service rules contained in the First Report and Order.  Part of the band plan
designated 2.6 megahertz, or 10.8% of the band, to nationwide public safety interoperability use.  The FCC
found strong support for national planning for both the interoperability spectrum and the general use
spectrum in the 700 MHz band.  Accordingly, the FCC chartered the National Coordination Committee
(NCC) as an advisory committee for the purpose of addressing and advising the FCC on certain public
safety communications matters.  The FCC charged the NCC to prepare a report on the technical and
operational standards for interoperability frequencies in this new public safety band.  
Specifics of Action:

In the adopted Fourth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC sought comment on various
technical and operational issues stemming from the NCC's recommendations regarding the use of
interoperability frequencies in the 700 MHz band.  The FCC has proposed to adopt the majority of the
NCC's recommendations.  Most notably, the FCC took the following actions:

  ·  Sought comment on the appropriate digital voice standard for the interoperability channels.  In addition,
  tentatively concluded to adopt the Project 25 Phase I standard at this time, as well as develop and
  implement a "migration path" to 6.25 kHz technology.

  ·  Proposed that the Commission not impose mandatory trunking requirements on all thirty-two
  interoperability channel sets under the current band plan.  Also proposed a permissive trunking scheme
  covering up to twelve interoperability channel sets on a secondary, non-interference basis.

  ·  Proposed to allow applicants to aggregate four contiguous 6.25 kHz channels to form 25 kHz channels.

  ·  Tentatively concluded that states should administer the interoperability channels, however, proposed to
  have Regional Planning Committees (RPCs) administer the interoperability channels if the states are
  unwilling to do so.  Also, sought comment on requiring that each state form a State Interoperability
  Executive Committee (SIEC) to administer the interoperability channels.
  
  ·  Solicited comment on requiring the RPCs to review the technical parameters of applications for
  interoperability channels and verify that such applications are in accordance with a state-approved plan.
  Also, solicited comment on whether, and to what extent, the RPCs or similar entities should assume
  responsibility to develop interoperability operational plans in the absence of state action on the matter.

  ·  Sought comment on designating channels for a particular purpose and naming each interoperability
  channel set (12.5 kHz consisting of two contiguous 6.25 kHz narrowband channels).  Additionally,
  solicited comment on the effect of channel labeling and whether channel labeling would affect
  centralized trunking operations and 25 kHz operation.

  ·  Proposed to reject codifying a priority scheme for resolving conflicts when the demand for
  interoperability channels exceeds the supply of such channels.

Action by the Commission on July 25, 2000 by Fourth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 00-271).
Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and Tristani.

Wireless Bureau Contact: Bert Weintraub at (202) 418-0680, e-mail: bweintra@fcc.gov; 
TTY at (202) 418-7233.

WT Docket No. 96-86