Public safety agencies optimistic about spectrum decision

Public safety agencies are optimistic about Industry Canada's spectrum decision but want to move the process along as the department holds a consultation on the allocation of the 700 MHz band's D block to the public safety sector, Lance Valcour, executive director of the Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (CITIG), said in an interview. Public safety sector officials told The Wire Report they were happy to see Industry Canada announce last week that 10 MHz of the spectrum will be reserved for public safety but they said another 10 MHz is necessary to support their jobs as first responders. Industry Canada said in its spectrum decision that a 10 MHz (5+5) block will be designated for public safety mobile broadband use. The department said it will consult on the sector's use of another 10 MHz (5+5) in the so-called “D block” of the 700 MHz band. "You can put me down as being absolutely delighted at Industry Canada moving forward on this issue. a great day for first responders," Michael Sullivan, division chief of Ottawa Fire Services, said in an interview. Valcour said in an interview that CITIG is "very happy" with Industry Canada's announcement but "a little bit disappointed" that the public safety sector was only guaranteed 10 MHz. Members of CITIG include the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) and the Emergency Medical Services Chiefs of Canada (EMSCC). Valcour said the government hired independent engineer Claudio Lucente, an independent engineer with Martello Defense Security Consultants, to study the issue. Lucente reported to the Public Safety Department last year that 20 MHz is necessary for first responders to effectively use mobile broadband to support their services in an emergency. "Even before they made the decision, we had made our case in science. Even the telcos are saying publicly that, in order to build a fully effective, national broadband network using LTE, you need 20 MHz," Valcour said in an interview. Valcour said groups and officials, including CITIG members and municipalities, sent 88 submissions to Industry Canada arguing that 20 MHz should be reserved for the public safety sector. Valcour said first responders can face mobile connectivity issues during emergencies because they are on the same frequency as everyone else in the area, who may be uploading social media messages and photos about the emergency. "The first responder team cannot be on the same frequencies as the kids with their iPhones uploading to YouTube," Valcour said. "We are committed to working with the government to see that it gets done in the coming months. We are viewing this as the glass three-quarters full," he said. Coordinating the amount of spectrum allocated for public safety with the United States has played a role in the designation of the D block. Canada is expected to follow the U.S. lead on the matter to ensure spectrum use is coordinated between the countries. In February, United States authorities confirmed the D block will be reserved for public safety mobile broadband use. "Since the D block is now designated for public safety broadband use in the United States, it is unclear whether consumer devices such as tablets and smartphones would be available for commercial use in the D block in Canada,” Industry Canada said in its decision last week. "Consequently, Industry Canada has decided to launch a further consultation to establish a policy framework for the use of the spectrum in the 758-763 MHz and 788-793 MHz bands (D block) in light of the U.S. decision.” Sullivan said he believes “whole heartedly” that Industry Canada will follow the U.S., “as long as the U.S. is utilizing it correctly.” At a meeting of the House industry committee last week, Industry Minister Christian Paradis said that there is "a lot of appetite" for designating 700 MHz spectrum for the public safety sector. "I have to specify that all of the stakeholders in the industry agree that we have to align with the structure being made in the United States,” Paradis said. “It is a new era, and we will be fully compliant with the United States. It will be fully compatible so we have a North American approach.” Valcour said it's time to move the discussion along and allocate the spectrum. "Essentially, we are happy, but let's not talk about the second half anymore. Let's just go. It is 20 MHz, it needs to be 20 MHz. We have proven it, now let's get working," Valcour said. news@thewirereport.ca --- CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC) is a member of CITIG, as was misstated on the group's website. The CPRC is a former member. The Wire Report also received information that led it to incorrectly report that CITIG contracted Lucente, who was hired by the government.

Public safety agencies optimistic about spectrum decision

News | 03/20/2012 6:59 pm EDT

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