Public Safety National Coordination Committee

Following is the complete text of the Public Notice: The FCC has established a Public Safety National Coordination Committee. In a Report and Order adopted in December 1997, the Commission reallocated 24 MHz of spectrum to public safety as part of digital television transition (700 MHz public safety spectrum) in an effort to meet the Nation's critical need for state-of-the-art communications systems and reliable interoperability between local, state and federal public safety authorities. See Reallocation of Television Channels 60-69, the 746-806 MHz Band, ET Docket No. 97-157, Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 22,953 (1997). In August 1998, the Commission adopted a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking creating service and licensing rules for the 700 MHz public safety spectrum. See The Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements For Meeting Federal, State and Local Public Safety Agency Communications Requirements Through the Year 2010 and Establishment of Rules and Requirements For Priority Access Service, WT Docket No. 96-86, First Report and Order and Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 98-191 (1998) (First Report and Order). In the First Report and Order, the Commission established the service rules for the 24 MHz of spectrum in the 764-776/794-806 MHz frequency bands (collectively, the 700 MHz band) that the Commission had earlier reallocated to public safety services. As part of this action, the Commission called for the creation of the NCC, to be established pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, to advise the Commission on a variety of issues relating to the use of this spectrum. The major responsibilities of the NCC will be to: (1) Formulate and submit for Commission review and approval an operational plan to achieve national interoperability that includes a shared or priority system among users of the interoperability spectrum (i.e., spectrum in the 700 MHz band specifically designated for interoperability use as well as spectrum in other frequency bands so designated) for both day-to-day and emergency operations and, in this connection, recommendations regarding Federal Government users' access to the interoperability spectrum; (2) Recommend technical standards to achieve full interoperability and network integration, including digital modulation, trunking, and receiver standards, network redundancy/reliability and whatever other technical capabilities are found necessary to provide local, state and federal governments with an interoperable network to meet public safety needs into the next century; (3) Recommend to the Commission whether the Commission should take action to require trunking on all or a portion of the nationwide interoperability spectrum is needed; (4) Formulate and submit for Commission review and approval a set of recommendations for the use of interoperability spectrum, including recommendations for Federal Government users' access, that will allow public safety licensees to make use of such spectrum until final rules are developed; (5) Provide policy recommendations on an advisory basis to the regional planning committees in order to ensure the development of coordinated regional plans; and (6) Provide recommendations on other technology, telecommunications and public policy matters that relate to the expedited planning and deployment of a nationwide interoperable and reliable public safety and emergency responsiveness network. The establishment of the committee is in the public interest. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, this notice advises interested persons of the establishment of the National Coordination Committee and solicits membership for the NCC. The Public Safety National Coordination Committee will have an open membership. All interested parties are invited to become members and to participate in the Committee's processes. We are soliciting membership from local, state and federal public safety agencies, including those individuals responsible for emergency responsiveness, planning, resource management and policy development. In addition, we are soliciting membership from all elements of the manufacturing, technology, public policy, network reliability/design and service provider communities, including representatives with expertise in the planning and design of telecommunications networks that meet public safety and emergency responsiveness needs. We believe that the broad range of representation from the various sectors from which we are soliciting NCC membership will ensure balanced participation. Members will serve either as representatives of organizations or as experts in an individual capacity. Further, members of the NCC not employed by the Federal Government will serve without compensation from the Federal Government. We nonetheless note that reimbursement may be available on a case-by-case basis upon a demonstration of need. If you are interested in becoming a member of the NCC, please contact Joy Alford of the Policy and Rules Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau of the FCC on or before February 26, 1999, by calling (202) 418-0680, faxing (202) 418- 2643, or replying by e-mail to jalford@fcc.gov. Please provide your name, the organization you represent, your mailing address, your phone number and fax number. For Further Information Contact: D'wana R. Terry, FCC (202-418-0680), Designated Federal Officer of the Public Safety National Coordination Committee.

Federal Communications Commission. D'wana R. Terry, Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. [FR Doc. 99-3024 Filed 2-8-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P