Access to 700 MHz and 4.9 GHz band key to PS radio interoperability

New public safety spectrum in the 700 MHz and 4.9 GHz bands will play a key role in making public safety radio interoperability a reality, according to one wireless industry manager. Not only will it usher in ubiquitous broadband access, but it will allow applications to work across multiple networks. Derek Prada, GM of federal government markets in Canada and government, enterprise and mobility solutions for Motorola Inc., highlighted the importance of getting access to these two bands during his presentation at the APCO Canada/NENA Ontario 911 in Any Language conference in Toronto earlier this month. He said the 700 MHz and 4.9 GHz bands open up opportunities for convergence when front-line first responders can communicate to each other. " really play a key role in terms of enabling broadband wireless mobility and IP convergence," he said during his presentation. "IP convergence is taking place on your desktop right now where you have more and more applications voice, video, broadcast video….These two spectrum – 4.9 GHz and 700 MHz – unleash that power, bring that power of IP convergence to public safety and first responders." Standards are another key enabler of interoperable communications among public safety agencies. What currently exists in the PCS world will be transferred to public safety systems, whether that is third-generation or fourth-generation wireless networks. But of course there are challenges to making this vision a reality. Prada explained that devices have to be sensitive to time and location – they have to work at any time and any place. Applications such as file-sharing have to work across all of the public safety networks, and there is also the challenge of making sure broadband networks can interoperate with narrowband networks. Even with new spectrum becoming available allowing for the deployment of newer, more advanced and faster networks, existing networks and equipment don’t have to be discarded. Networks can be layered on top of each other, which spells efficient network infrastructure expansion. Prada refers to these as heterogeneous networks. A 4.9 GHz network can be layered on top of a broadband 700 MHz network, which is in turn, layered on top of a wideband system, itself on top of the conventional voice and data network. Obstacles remain to radio interoperabilityDespite the availability of more spectrum allocated specifically for public safety, some obstacles remain. Industry Canada is currently in the process of trying to determine public safety radio interoperability guidelines. The department released a consultation paper (SMSE-005-06) in June asking for input from public safety stakeholders on what the guidelines should be. In its comments, the Radio Advisory Board of Canada captured the job ahead of Industry Canada, coming to a conclusion on guidelines for public safety radio interoperability. "The complexity of the task at hand is enormous as it is difficult to isolate the technical questions from other issues such as governance, funding and operations," the RABC wrote to Industry Canada. The Canadian government will undoubtedly be watching what is going on in the United States, as Canada will want to harmonize spectrum allocations and rules with those set out by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). While interoperable communications is the ultimate goal of public safety stakeholders and to some it may appear to be off in the distant future, there is at least one case in Canada of public safety interoperability. Terry Canning, emergency services co-ordinator for the province of Nova Scotia, highlighted that province’s public safety radio interoperability deployment. He said during his presentation at the APCO Canada/NENA Ontario conference that the legacy of interoperability stretches back to 1972, when a large forest fire forced the province to start thinking about making a system that would let multiple agencies communicate. An initial form of the interoperability network was implemented in 1980 for $4.9 million, connecting 1,500 subscriber units. Over the years, the network evolved and disasters played a key part in upgrades. The Swissair disaster in 1998 put a strain on the existing system, and pushed the province to more rapidly upgrade its system, explained Canning. Despite some resistance from the RCMP, the new 800 MHz system went live in the spring of 2001 and included 68 cell sites with a 95% terrestrial coverage and offered communications over 13 channels. In concluding his presentation, Canning highlighted four elements that led to the success of Nova Scotia’s interoperable public safety system. There was financial and operational support from the provincial government’s Public Works and Transportation department; there was careful management of fleet maps and user agreements; ongoing communications and training was available at no cost; and there was a co-operative attitude and willingness of the leaders to talk with an open mind, he said.

Access to 700 MHz and 4.9 GHz band key to PS radio interoperability

News | October 20, 2006

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