NPSTC Disagrees with Broadcasters on Land Mobile/TV Rule Changes
The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council told the FCC it had no objections to giving Business/Industrial/Land Transportation (B/ILT) licensees the same benefits that public safety seeks through proposed changes in rules for the 470-512 MHz band. That puts the NPSTC at odds with the Association for Maximum Service TV and NAB, which oppose changing the land mobile/TV rules for anyone other than public safety.
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In earlier filings, the Telecommunications Industry Association, APCO and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s told the FCC that changes sought by the NPSTC would make the band more useful to public safety and should not cause interference to TV broadcasts given advances in technology (CD May 8 p4). First responders already use the frequencies in 11 markets, including New York and Los Angeles. The main change the NPSTC sought was extension of a sharing area to 80 miles from a city center, compared to the 50-mile limit now in effect.
“In many instances, critical infrastructure and other enterprise licensees, all of whom qualify under the B/ILT rules, work directly with public safety entities to restore power and other essential services during a time of emergency,” the NPSTC said. “Their communications needs parallel those of the public safety community.”
It also asked the commission to reject a request by broadcasters that they preserve their right to make future use of channels where public safety communications is allowed to operate today. “If a public safety licensee expends millions of dollars on a critical communications system, there must be some assurance that the system can remain in operation,” the NPSTC said. “First responders cannot suddenly be deprived of their wireless lifeline in favor of a new or modified television translator station.”
The Land Mobile Communications Council questioned whether NAB and MSTV have a “full appreciation” for the types of land mobile systems deployed by its members. LMCC frequency advisors estimate non-public safety users make up 40 percent to 60 percent of the total users of the band, the group said. “LMCC believes there is no reason why this current mix would change because of the expanded license area proposed by NPSTC in the 11 markets currently authorized for land mobile sharing,” it said. “Nor do we believe there is any greater threat of interference by business enterprise licensees than public safety licensees.” MSTV and NAB previously filed reply comments (CD May 26 p10).