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Public Safety Communications
1. Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012
Title VI: Public Safety Communications and
Electromagnetic Spectrum Auctions
2. Overview: Spectrum and Funding
• Spectrum Provisions:
– Reallocates the 700 MHz D Block spectrum to public safety
– Authorizes FCC to reallocate and auction the 470-512 MHz
(T-Band), currently used by public safety entities (auction
revenue will be used to reimburse relocation from the T-Band)
• Funding Provisions:
– Authorizes FCC incentive auctions to raise $7 billion for
Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN)
– Authorizes NTIA to provide $135 million to support State and
local efforts to plan and integrate with the NPSBN
– Provides $20.4 billion of incentive auction revenue for deficit
reduction
3. Overview: NPSBN
• Access to NPSBN:
– Emergency response providers, including Federal, State, and
local governmental and non-governmental emergency public
safety, fire, law enforcement, emergency response, medical
– Allows for secondary use by non-public safety entities
– NPSBN cannot provide commercial services to consumers
• Governance:
– First Responders Network Authority (“FirstNet”) is established
for planning, construction, and operation of the NPSBN
• Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability:
– Developing minimum technical requirements for NPSBN to
ensure interoperability – to FCC May 22, then FirstNet June 20
4. FirstNet
• New independent authority within Dept. of Commerce’s NTIA
• FirstNet will consist of 15 Board Members
• FirstNet will be licensee for the 700 MHz broadband spectrum
• FirstNet is authorized to collect access fees from users
• FirstNet will be responsible for constructing, operating NPSBN:
– Issuing and managing contracts with non-Federal entities
– Establishing network policies
– Issuing RFPs for network build-out
– Encouraging the use of existing wireless infrastructure
– Consulting with Federal, State, tribal, public safety, NIST, FCC
– Negotiating with commercial network providers for roaming
agreements; priority is given to public safety communications
5. State and Local Coordination
• Coordination with State and local entities will be
with a single officer or governmental body
• FirstNet will consult with State and locals on:
– Planning the most efficient way to integrate with the NPSBN
– Placement of towers and coverage areas of the network
– Adequacy of security, reliability, and resiliency
– Assignment of priority users
– Training needs
6. State Participation/Opt Out
• States may opt out
• FirstNet will provide a plan/RFP to States
• States opting out will have to submit an interoperability plan to the FCC
• State Plans must demonstrate:
– Technical and fiscal capability to operate State radio access network
– Ability to maintain ongoing interoperability with the NPSBN
– Capacity to complete project within specified FirstNet timelines
– Cost-effectiveness
– Comparable security, coverage, and quality of service to FirstNet
• If FCC approves the plan, the State may apply to the NTIA for a
construction grant and lease spectrum capacity from FirstNet
• If FCC disapproves plan, FirstNet plan will move forward in that State