[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: [email protected].

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 [email protected]. 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