Emergency Communications: Meeting Public Safety Spectrum Needs

Publication Date: July 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Social conditions

Type:

Abstract:

In evaluating the nation's emergency preparedness and response plans, Congress has reaffirmed its concern regarding the availability of spectrum to meet the wireless communications needs for public safety agencies. Many have voiced the need for a national plan for public safety telecommunications and spectrum management. This need is nested in the wider need for better policy and planning in spectrum management for all users and technologies.

Provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) instruct the Department of Homeland Security to address some of the issues concerning public safety communications. Several important policy decisions regarding spectrum use by first responders and other public safety organizations are under consideration by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The timely clearing of analog television broadcast channels intended for public safety use is the objective of H.R. 1425 (Harman). Provisions that could significantly impact emergency communications are included in S. 930, H.R. 1449, and H.R. 105, among others. Legislation that could impact the release of TV broadcast channels is proposed in H.R. 426. Future legislative initiatives in the 108th Congress could address the following areas:

Interoperability. The ability to communicate effectively among wireless networks used for public safety depends on spectrum use and compatible technology. In general the technology to support interoperability exists. For it to be fully implemented, three critical elements must be in place: standardization and coordination; comprehensive spectrum allocation; and funding.

Spectrum Policy. Sufficient and appropriate spectrum is fundamental to the future of wireless communications for public safety. The manner in which the spectrum is allocated is also important and this is illustrated, for example, in the problem of interference to public safety communications. This problem has opened a debate over how to reallocate spectrum not only to reduce interference but also to maximize benefit to other users in adjacent bands. Business and industrial users, for example, are examining their need for spectrum for applications in critical infrastructure security, such as pipeline surveillance.

Technology. The availability of new broadband technologies has further increased the need for spectrum. The FCC has recently allocated new spectrum for public safety broadband. The FCC has also allocated spectrum to test ultrawideband (UWB) applications geared primarily to the needs of first responders.

This report focuses on key proposals for improving wireless telecommunications for public safety and recent actions to achieve this goal; the evolving role of the Department of Homeland Security is also discussed. The report will be updated and will be supplemented with shorter, topical reports.