DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 26, 2001)--The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, along with six other public safety agencies, Wednesday told the Federal Communications Commission it believes the commission should proceed with consideration of Nextel Communicationsí proposal to swap public safety spectrum as a solution to expand, realign and further protect public safety communications, calling it a "major step in the right direction."
In a letter dated Nov. 21, APCO International, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffsí Association, Major County Sheriffs' Association and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council wrote, "We believe that the basic elements of this proposal 'have the potential to substantially improve the quality and quantity of public safety communications.'"
The Nextel proposal (which was covered in the Nov. 26 issue of USA Today) includes a substantial reallocation of the 800 MHz band, which the seven public safety agencies say will address some complex issues such as 800 MHz interference from commercial mobile radio systems (CMRS) in the same band, insufficient radio spectrum and interoperability.
Nextel also has pledged up to $500 million to offset the cost of this relocation. In addition, Nextel will relinquish licenses for 10 MHz of spectrum it holds in portions of the 700, 800 and 900 MHz bands in exchange for licenses for 10 MHz of spectrum in the 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Service band for terrestrial commercial service.
"We are committed to working with the public safety community, the FCC and others to enable new spectrum allocation solutions that best meet our nation's needs and appropriately balance public needs with private interests," said Tim Donahue, president and CEO of Nextel.
APCO and its sister agencies pointed out the proposal will impose a considerable and undetermined cost on some public safety licensees and emphasized "our support for this or any similar approach will be contingent upon adequate funds being put forward to cover all of the implementation costs imposed on existing public safety licensees."
APCO is the worldís oldest and largest public safety communications organization with more than 15,000 members worldwide. They include police, fire, emergency medical services, forestry, military and government personnel who manage and operate public safety communications facilities throughout the world. For more information about APCO International, call (888) APCO-9-1-1 or visit http://www.apco911.org.