Proposed Nationwide 700Mhz Public Safety System

[SteveOFD 176]

Found this link on Firehouse.com CyrenCall article. CyrenCall is proposing to build a Public Safety grade nationwide communications system within a block of the 700Mhz band that the FCC will be auctioning off in 1/08. Comments will be accepted until 11/29/06.

This system will not impact us in the foreseeable future, but the time is NOW that we need to request that this block of frequencies be set aside for use by Public Safety agencies.

What the proposed system will be is a nationwide system that will be built by private commercial interests to Public Safety grade specifications. Public Safety will be the primary user of this system, excess capacity will be offered for use of commercial users. Public Safety use of the system will be given priority and this priority would allow Public Safety users to kick off commercial users when Public Safety needs require access.

The key person behind CyrenCall is Morgan O'Brien, a co-founder of NEXTEL. Looking through the CyrenCall website it looks like he has the interests of First Responders as the primary focus of this system. Read his comments about this system at Proposed 700Mhz Public Safety System

If the FCC does not support CyrenCalls proposal these frequencies will be lost forever to the highest bidder (Verizon, Sprint, etc.) As of right now the FCC is not supporting this proposal due to the wording of the Act authorizing the sale of these frequencies. With this proposal these frequencies will be dedicated for OUR use. Please access the link on the Firehouse.com link above to have your opinion sent to your local member of Congress, Senator and the FCC if you click on the cc link for FCC/FCC Commissioners.

The bottom line is we must get our Representatives to pressure the FCC to support this proposal.

[tbendick 27]

This is a broadband network they are looking to build, not a voice radio system. They want to build the system for public saftey and use part of it for commerical profit gain.

[trauma74 111]

I am not looking to rain on anyones parade here, but don't you think that before we support a Nationwide Broadband System we should get our voice communications taken care of first?

[SteveOFD 176]

I am not looking to rain on anyones parade here, but don't you think that before we support a Nationwide Broadband System we should get our voice communications taken care of first?

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From what I have read yes this is a broadband network, but it will include a PTT(Push To Talk) feature, I would assume similar to the NEXTEL PTT. This network in addition to the 24Mhz already designated contiguous to this block would be advantageous for Public Safety.

My posting of this proposal here is just to get this spectrum dedicated for our use. Whether the system is built by CyrenCall or someone else we need to get this spectrum dedicated for us.