FCC Seeks Public Comment on Public Safety Interoperability

Partial Public Notice from the Federal Communications Commission

Our Nation’s first responders rely on communications systems supplied by a small number of equipment providers to support mission-critical communications. The characteristics of how public safety equipment is developed and provided may impact the interoperability and efficiency of communications between first responders, which could potentially threaten lives and property.

Because of the important role these communications systems play in supporting our Nation’s public safety personnel, it is imperative that we explore all potential barriers to achieving nationwide interoperability for both broadband and narrowband communications, and determine what, if any, actions the Commission should take in this area. In particular, we note the recent letter from the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy in Commerce to Chairman Genachowski, seeking information on these issues, including the state of competition in the public safety equipment and device market, the use of proprietary standards by public safety equipment manufacturers, and the impact that these issues may have on public safety interoperability.1 Accordingly, we seek comment on the following:

1. What are the factors that affect the current state of competition in the provision of public safety communications equipment? Are there any additional barriers to additional manufacturers supplying network equipment to the public safety community for narrowband communications? For broadband?

2. How would additional competition in the provision of public safety communications equipment improve narrowband or broadband interoperability? Conversely, what impact does the current state of competition in the provision of public safety communications equipment and devices have on interoperability? Assuming additional competition would benefit public safety interoperability, what actions could the Commission take to improve competition in the provision of public safety communications equipment?

3. What are the limitations of Project 25 in promoting narrowband public safety communications interoperability? What actions, if any, should the Commission take to rectify these limitations?

4. Could open standards for public safety equipment increase competition? What actions could the Commission take to facilitate openness?

5. As the Commission considers requirements for the 700 MHz broadband public safety network, are there any requirements on public safety equipment or network operators that would increase competition in the provision of public safety equipment? How can the Commission’s work on requirements for the 700 MHz broadband public safety network be leveraged to promote interoperability between narrowband and broadband networks?

View the full request for public comment here, including details on how to file comments and obtain responses.

For further information, contact Jennifer A. Manner, Deputy Bureau Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, (202) 418-3619, Jennifer.Manner[at]fcc[dot]gov.