Monday, July 27, 2009

Agencies in Close Alignment on Regulatory Strategy & LTE Technology Choice for D Block Interoperability

A few months ago, Steve Zipperstein (pictured) of Verizon Wireless spoke in Washington DC on canceling the proposed auction for the D-block and combining it with the adjacent 10 MHz already licensed to the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST). The presentation called for allocating the D-Block to First Responders to facilitate the deployment of an interoperable network. Verizon also offered up its backhaul and back-end systems to support a public safety network using the spectrum. Prior to the Verizon speech, AT&T Wireless had already been floating the same idea.

In May, a group of eight public safety organizations got together and endorsed a similar plan. More recently APCO and NENA issued a joint release citing LTE as their recommended technology choice for D-block networks.

Andrew Seybold wrote in a recent article that “for the first time, the public safety community could have the upper hand.” Clearly getting to this position was the result of hard work and consensus by numerous agencies and organizations. Andy’s piece offers an in-depth analysis of where things stand today and how we got here.

Read the Seybold article here>>

Friday, July 24, 2009

Genachowski Picks Retired Admiral to Head Public Safety, Homeland Security Bureau

Admiral Jamie Barnett (ret.) has been chosen to lead the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB). "I am delighted that Admiral Barnett, with his broad and deep experience with public safety issues and familiarity with the concerns of state and local governments, will be joining the agency," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

Admiral Barnett’s 32 year military career included the roles of Deputy Commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and Director of Naval Education and Training at the Pentagon.

In his civilian life, Mr. Barnett advised and represented government officials as an attorney in state and federal courts over an eighteen year career of private practice. Clients included cities, counties, school districts, law enforcement agencies and development authorities.

Along with the Barnett announcement, Genachowki also named David Furth and Jennifer Manner as Deputy Chiefs of the PSHSB.

Read more at Radio Resource Group's Website.

Friday, July 17, 2009

July 8 Broadband Stimulus Webinar Available on Demand

In the July 8 “Analysis & Insights into the Broadband NOFAs & Rules” Webinar, communications attorney Stephen Coran joined Spectrum Bridge as a guest speaker. He provided analysis and insight into the Broadband Stimulus NOFA, application rules and grant criteria. Spectrum expert Peter Stanforth delivered additional access and backhaul spectrum strategies for strengthening your project’s “shovel-ready” position.

Request a recorded version or PDF copy now by
clicking here.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

ShowMyWhiteSpace.com Database and Shape Files Updated

ShowMyWhiteSpace.com continues to receive steady traffic. The web site provides tools and resources that make TV white space easy for everyone to find and understand. TV white space channels are the unused and unassigned TV channels left over after the digital TV transition on June 12th 2009. The FCC will allow these unused TV channels to be used by part 15 (unlicensed) wireless devices, like cordless phones, WiFi like access points, etc. However, the number and frequencies of these channels vary substantially by location.

A few days before the digital TV transition on June 12th, Spectrum Bridge updated the database used by our white space search tool with the latest FCC TV broadcast license file. Fresh shape files (used to determine in-use TV channel exclusion zones) were also generated using this updated database. These changes deliver search results that more accurately reflect the available white space channel map resulting from the June 12th DTV transition.

To find the TV white space channels anywhere in the country, please visit http://www.showmywhitespace.com/