FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2009

TIA Calls for FCC to Plot Course for Economic Viability for Nationwide Interoperable Broadband Public Safety Network

Manufacturers Urge the FCC to Determine How to Ensure Network Sustainability, Assess NPSTC's Technical Report and Allow Only Compatible Regional Network Development

Washington, D.C. – In Comments filed responding to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) inquiry into whether to grant requests by local and regional entities to deploy their own interoperable public safety networks, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) urged the FCC to craft policies to create a financially viable nationwide network, review the requests for technical network compatibility with these policies, consider technical recommendations of the National Public-Safety Telecommunications Council's 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Task Force Report and Recommendations (NPSTC Report), and leave to the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST) and other public safety entities the task of choosing technologies for such a network.

TIA stated that it supports the allowance of the development of regional public safety networks as long as the entities are required to build out and implement networks that will be compatible with a nationwide interoperable public safety network. TIA also noted that the NPSTC Report provides solid concepts of how a nationwide network could be structured so that regional entities can build their networks to be a part of a nationwide network.

Additionally, TIA stated that the selection of the common air interfaces that may be used in an interoperable public safety network should be left to the PSST, with careful consideration of input from local and regional public safety entities and the FCC. It added that the PSST should identify the users of the network.

"First responders, and the Americans they protect, deserve the best interoperable broadband services, applications, and technologies to enhance their ability to save lives in times of crisis," said Danielle Coffey, TIA Vice President for Government Affairs. "As the FCC considers the waivers of regional and local entities seeking to move ahead with interoperable broadband networks, the FCC and all policymakers must first begin by plotting a course to ensure that a nationwide, interoperable, seamless network is economically viable and sustainable on a long-term basis and then require regional network compatibility with the nationwide network. The NPSTC report gives some valuable technical input on how such a network should be developed," continued Coffey.

"Finally, the PSST should, with an eye to input from public safety entities across the nation, choose the technologies best suited for the network. The PSST should also consider allowing network access to federal and critical infrastructure users, as this could greatly increase the public benefits and economic viability of the network," Coffey concluded.

TIA's comments filed today are available on the FCC filings page at tiaonline.org.

For more information about TIA's government affairs initiatives, please contact Danielle Coffey at dcoffey@tiaonline.org.

Sign up for RSS feeds on TIA news.

About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.

TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM^® tradeshow  and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

##