[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6358-6359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3024]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Public Safety National Coordination Committee
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice of advisory committee establishment.
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SUMMARY: The Public Safety and Private Private Wireless Division
released this Public Notice advising of the establishment by the
Federal Communications Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, of a Public Safety
National Coordination Committee (``NCC'') to advise the Commission on a
variety of issues relating to the use of 24 MHz of spectrum in the 764-
776/794-806 MHz frequency bands (collectively, the 700 MHz band) that
has been reallocated for public safety use. The Public Notice invites
interested persons
[[Page 6359]]
to become members and to participate in the NCC's processes, with
members serving either as representatives of organizations or as
experts in an individual capacity.
DATES: Persons interested in becoming a member of the NCC must apply by
telephone, by facsimile, or by electronic mail on or before February
26, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Joy Alford, Policy and Rules Branch, Public Safety and
Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, Telephone No. (202) 418-0680, Facsimile No.
(202) 418-2643, or e-mail: jalford@fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: D'wana R. Terry, FCC (202-418-0680),
Designated Federal Official of the Public Safety National Coordination
Committee.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Following is the complete text of the Public
Notice: The FCC has established a Public Safety National Coordination
Committee. In a Report and Order adopted in December 1997, the
Commission reallocated 24 MHz of spectrum to public safety as part of
digital television transition (700 MHz public safety spectrum) in an
effort to meet the Nation's critical need for state-of-the-art
communications systems and reliable interoperability between local,
state and federal public safety authorities. See Reallocation of
Television Channels 60-69, the 746-806 MHz Band, ET Docket No. 97-157,
Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 22,953 (1997). In August 1998, the
Commission adopted a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking creating service and licensing rules for the 700 MHz public
safety spectrum. See The Development of Operational, Technical and
Spectrum Requirements For Meeting Federal, State and Local Public
Safety Agency Communications Requirements Through the Year 2010 and
Establishment of Rules and Requirements For Priority Access Service, WT
Docket No. 96-86, First Report and Order and Third Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, FCC 98-191 (1998) (First Report and Order). In the First
Report and Order, the Commission established the service rules for the
24 MHz of spectrum in the 764-776/794-806 MHz frequency bands
(collectively, the 700 MHz band) that the Commission had earlier
reallocated to public safety services. As part of this action, the
Commission called for the creation of the NCC, to be established
pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, to
advise the Commission on a variety of issues relating to the use of
this spectrum. The major responsibilities of the NCC will be to:
(1) Formulate and submit for Commission review and approval an
operational plan to achieve national interoperability that includes a
shared or priority system among users of the interoperability spectrum
(i.e., spectrum in the 700 MHz band specifically designated for
interoperability use as well as spectrum in other frequency bands so
designated) for both day-to-day and emergency operations and, in this
connection, recommendations regarding Federal Government users' access
to the interoperability spectrum;
(2) Recommend technical standards to achieve full interoperability
and network integration, including digital modulation, trunking, and
receiver standards, network redundancy/reliability and whatever other
technical capabilities are found necessary to provide local, state and
federal governments with an interoperable network to meet public safety
needs into the next century;
(3) Recommend to the Commission whether the Commission should take
action to require trunking on all or a portion of the nationwide
interoperability spectrum is needed;
(4) Formulate and submit for Commission review and approval a set
of recommendations for the use of interoperability spectrum, including
recommendations for Federal Government users' access, that will allow
public safety licensees to make use of such spectrum until final rules
are developed;
(5) Provide policy recommendations on an advisory basis to the
regional planning committees in order to ensure the development of
coordinated regional plans; and
(6) Provide recommendations on other technology, telecommunications
and public policy matters that relate to the expedited planning and
deployment of a nationwide interoperable and reliable public safety and
emergency responsiveness network.
The establishment of the committee is in the public interest.
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law
92-463, as amended, this notice advises interested persons of the
establishment of the National Coordination Committee and solicits
membership for the NCC.
The Public Safety National Coordination Committee will have an open
membership. All interested parties are invited to become members and to
participate in the Committee's processes. We are soliciting membership
from local, state and federal public safety agencies, including those
individuals responsible for emergency responsiveness, planning,
resource management and policy development. In addition, we are
soliciting membership from all elements of the manufacturing,
technology, public policy, network reliability/design and service
provider communities, including representatives with expertise in the
planning and design of telecommunications networks that meet public
safety and emergency responsiveness needs. We believe that the broad
range of representation from the various sectors from which we are
soliciting NCC membership will ensure balanced participation.
Members will serve either as representatives of organizations or as
experts in an individual capacity. Further, members of the NCC not
employed by the Federal Government will serve without compensation from
the Federal Government. We nonetheless note that reimbursement may be
available on a case-by-case basis upon a demonstration of need. If you
are interested in becoming a member of the NCC, please contact Joy
Alford of the Policy and Rules Branch, Public Safety and Private
Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau of the FCC on or
before February 26, 1999, by calling (202) 418-0680, faxing (202) 418-
2643, or replying by e-mail to jalford@fcc.gov. Please provide your
name, the organization you represent, your mailing address, your phone
number and fax number.
For Further Information Contact: D'wana R. Terry, FCC (202-418-0680),
Designated Federal Officer of the Public Safety National Coordination
Committee.
Federal Communications Commission.
D'wana R. Terry,
Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau.
[FR Doc. 99-3024 Filed 2-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
