[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19467-19469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7413]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[WT Docket No. 05-157; FCC 05-80]


Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Requests Comment on Spectrum 
Needs of Emergency Response Providers

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On December 17, 2004, the President signed the Intelligence 
Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Act) into law to reform 
the United States intelligence community and intelligence-related 
activities. Title VII of the Act implements certain recommendations of 
the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, 
including a number of communications-related provisions, particularly 
with respect to use of the electromagnetic spectrum by Federal, State, 
and local emergency response providers. Among other requirements, the 
Intelligence Reform Act requires the Federal Communications Commission 
(Commission) to conduct a study to assess the short-term and long-term 
spectrum needs of emergency response providers, and report its findings 
to Congress not later than December 17, 2005.

DATES: Submit comments on or before April 28, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20554. See Supplementary Information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Siehl, [email protected], 
Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure Division, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, (202) 418-0680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Public 
Notice, WT Docket No. 05-157, released on March 29, 2005. Commissioner 
Copps issued a statement when this action was taken.
    1. The Commission initiates the present proceeding pursuant to the 
requirements of Section 7502 of the Act. Section 7502(a) provides:
    The Federal Communications Commission shall, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Homeland Security and the National Telecommunications 
and

[[Page 19468]]

Information Administration, conduct a study to assess short-term and 
long-term needs for allocations of additional portions of the 
electromagnetic spectrum for Federal, State, and local emergency 
response providers, including whether or not an additional allocation 
of spectrum in the 700 megahertz band should be granted by Congress to 
such emergency response providers.
    2. In addition, section 7502(c) provides that, in conducting this 
study, the Commission shall:
    (1) Seek input from Federal, State, local, and regional emergency 
response providers regarding the operation and administration of a 
potential nationwide interoperable broadband mobile communications 
network; and
    (2) Consider the use of commercial wireless technologies to the 
greatest extent practicable.
    3. Finally, section 7502(d) requires the Commission to submit a 
report on the study, including the study's findings, to the Senate 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Senate 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the House 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the House Select Committee on 
Homeland Security no later than one year after the date of enactment of 
the Intelligence Reform Act, i.e., by December 17, 2005.
    4. We hereby seek input regarding the need for, operation, and 
administration of a potential nationwide interoperable broadband mobile 
communications network. In addition, we more broadly request comment 
from emergency response providers and other interested parties on any 
related issues that would provide additional pertinent information for 
the Commission's study, pursuant to section 7502. We ask commenters to 
address the future spectrum needs of the emergency responder community, 
for interoperability purposes and otherwise, both on a short-term basis 
and on a long-term basis. Commenters are encouraged to address whether 
or not Congress should provide an additional allocation of spectrum in 
the 700 MHz band for emergency response provider communications. We 
also ask that commenters consider the extent to which commercial 
wireless technologies may be used to satisfy the communications needs 
of emergency response providers.
    5. Proponents of additional spectrum allocations to accommodate 
public safety interoperability, and to otherwise satisfy the spectrum 
needs of emergency response providers, are asked to identify specific 
frequency bands which can be designated for that purpose, and to offer 
support for the amount of spectrum identified. We also ask that these 
commenters discuss the potential benefits and difficulties associated 
with use of spectrum in the identified bands for emergency response/
interoperability communications.
    6. We note that, as technological innovations have created new and 
innovative uses for wireless technology, and as wireless communications 
have taken on increasing importance in emergency response incidents, 
the Commission has endeavored to keep pace with public safety spectrum 
needs. Currently, more than 97 megahertz of spectrum is allocated in 
support of public safety communications, including 24 megahertz in the 
700 MHz band, and the designation of 50 megahertz at 4940-4990 MHz for 
broadband and advanced technology applications in support of public 
safety. Recently, the Commission reallocated television spectrum in the 
New York City area for public safety use to promote interoperability 
among area users. In addition, the Commission's recent decision in the 
800 MHz band reconfiguration proceeding created access to an average of 
4.5 megahertz of additional spectrum for public safety licensees. The 
Commission continues to evaluate its rules in light of public safety 
communications needs and to facilitate the deployment of interoperable 
networks to serve local, state, and federal entities throughout the 
country.
    7. Comments must be filed no later than April 28, 2005. All filings 
concerning matters referenced in this Notice should refer to FCC 05-80 
and WT Docket No. 05-157.
    8. Commenters may file comments using the Commission's Electronic 
Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. Comments filed 
through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to 
http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. Generally, commenters must submit 
only one copy of an electronic submission. If multiple docket or 
rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, 
commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each 
docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing 
the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U.S. 
Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking 
number. Commenters may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-
mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should 
send an e-mail to [email protected], and should include the following words 
in the body of the message, ``get form .'' 
Commenters will receive a sample form and directions in reply.
    9. Parties that choose to file by paper must file an original and 
four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking 
number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must 
submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking 
number. Commenters may send filings by hand or messenger delivery, by 
commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. 
Postal Service mail (although the Commission continues to experience 
delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). The Commission's 
contractor, Natek, Inc., will receive hand-delivered or messenger-
delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary at 236 
Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. The filing 
hours at this location are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Commenters must bind all 
hand deliveries together with rubber bands or fasteners and must 
dispose of any envelopes before entering the building. This facility is 
the only location where the Commission's Secretary will accept hand-
delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings. Commenters must send 
commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail 
and Priority Mail) to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 
20743. Commenters should address U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, 
Express Mail, and Priority Mail to the Office of the Secretary, Federal 
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
    10. One copy of each filing must be delivered electronically, by e-
mail or facsimile, or if delivered as paper copy, by hand or messenger 
delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or 
overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (according to the procedures set 
forth above for paper filings), to: (1) The Commission's duplicating 
contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., at [email protected] or (202) 
488-5563 (facsimile); and (2) David Siehl, Public Safety and Critical 
Infrastructure Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at 
[email protected], or (202) 418-2643 (facsimile).
    11. Copies of the comments and other filings in this docket may be 
obtained from Best Copy and Printing, Inc. in person at 445 12th 
Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, via telephone at (202) 
488-5300, via facsimile at (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. The

[[Page 19469]]

comments and other filings are also available for public inspection and 
copying during normal reference room hours at the following Commission 
office: FCC Reference Information Center, 445 12th Street, SW., Room 
CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. The comments are also available 
electronically through the Commission's ECFS, which may be accessed on 
the Commission's Internet Web site at http://www.fcc.gov. Alternate 
formats of this Public Notice (computer diskette, large print, audio 
recording, and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by 
contacting Brian Millin at (202) 418-7426 (voice), (202) 418-7365 
(TTY), or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-7413 Filed 4-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P