4.9 GHz Band: Spectrum Dedicated to Public Safety for Broadband Use (w/agenda)

4.9 GHz Band: Spectrum Dedicated to Public Safety for Broadband Use

Federal Communications Commission
Friday, February 25, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0204/DOC-304463A...

The 4940–4990 MHz (4.9 GHz) licensing rules adopted in 2003 by the Commission provide licensees with authority to operate base and mobile units (including portable and handheld units) and operate temporary (one year or less) fixed stations anywhere within the area authorized by the license. Permissible operations include unattended and continuous operation, voice, data and video operations, while aeronautical mobile operations are prohibited. Permanent fixed point-to-point and point-to-multipoint stations in the band must be licensed individually on a site-by-site basis.

Many public safety agencies have identified specific mission-critical applications, day-to-day fixed use and unique solutions using the 50 megahertz of spectrum dedicated to public safety in 4.9 GHz band. The workshop will address current 4.9 GHz deployments by public safety entities to include system implementation, configuration, performance, and types of uses and applications running over the 4.9 GHz networks. The workshop will also look at collaborating ideas for use of the 4.9 GHz spectrum in areas such as prior coordination, operating on a non-interference basis and other technical enhancements that may be needed. It will also address possible improvements of the 4.9 GHz band related to policy, rules and regulations. The Commission will release a complete agenda closer to the event date.

AGENDA

The 4.9 GHz Band: Spectrum Dedicated to Public Safety For Broadband Use:
A Discussion of Important Uses and Ways to Increase Utilization

9:00 a.m. Welcoming Remarks: James Arden Barnett, Jr. Admiral (ret.), Chief, PSHSB

9:15 a.m. Panel 1: How the 4.9 GHz Band currently supports public safety today (Moderator: Pat Amodio, Chief, Radio Frequency Engineering, ERIC, PSHSB)

Many Public Safety agencies have identified specific mission critical applications, day-to-day fixed use, and unique solutions using the 4.9 GHz band. The panel will address current 4.9 GHz deployments by Public Safety in the United States today. This will include system implementation, configuration, performance, types of uses, and applications running over the 4.9 GHz network.

Panel 1

• Bill Brown—Radio Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, Chair of NPSTC Special Committee on Wireless Communications and Technology
• Stephen Devine—Interoperability Program Manager, Missouri Department of Public Safety
• Mark Jules—Chief Executive Officer, Avrio RMS Group
• Martin Levetin—Senior VP Sales and Marketing, Strix Systems
• Scott Wilder—Director of Technology, Brookline (MA) Police Department
• Lt. Mark Wilkins—Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS)

11:00a.m. Panel 2: What can be done to increase use of the 4.9 GHz Band (Moderator: Jennifer A. Manner, Deputy Chief, PSHSB)

Since 2003, many 4.9 GHz systems have been deployed and studies produced, both in favor of and against widespread Public Safety use in this band. In order to collaborate in the use of the 4.9 GHz Spectrum, areas such as prior coordination, operating on non-interference basis, and other technical aspects may need to be enhanced. The panel will address possible enhancements of the 4.9 GHz band related to policy, rules, and regulations in order to increase utilization of the 4.9 GHz band by public safety.

Panel 2

• David Buchanan—Chair, Spectrum Committee, National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC)
• Brett Kilbourne—Deputy General Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council
• Nancy Merritt—Senior Policy Advisor, Department of Justice
• Pam Montanari—Radio Systems Manager, Pinellas County, Florida
• Joe Ross—Senior Partner, Televate, LLC
• Edmond J. Thomas—Telecommunications Policy Advisor, Wiltshire & Grannis, LLP

12:15 p.m. Closing: Julie Knapp, Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology, FCC

The workshop will be open to the public; however, admittance will be limited to the seating available. Individuals interested in attending this event must pre-register on-line at http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/event-registration2.html, where they will be asked to provide their name, title, organization affiliation, and contact information. Individuals may also contact Deandrea Wilson at Deandrea.Wilson@fcc.gov or via phone at 202-418-0703 regarding pre-registration. The deadline for pre-registration is Wednesday, February 23, 2011.