APCO RESPONDS TO NENA BROADBAND NETWORK POSITION

APCO RESPONDS TO NENA BROADBAND NETWORK POSITION

June 25, 2009, Alexandria, Va. – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today responded to a proposal from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) regarding public safety broadband communications.  NENA's plan is to auction both the 700-MHz band D-block and adjacent 10 MHz of public-safety spectrum for commercial use. 

"APCO International cannot support NENA's proposal, as it gives back scarce public safety spectrum and undermines progress made during recent meetings among major public safety organizations to further address matters related to the development of a nationwide interoperable broadband network," APCO International President Chris Fischer said.  "APCO International understands NENA's perspective on this issue as it relates to how a national broadband network may eventually be used for 9-1-1 networks.  However, we are concerned that their proposal does not provide for the controls needed by public safety to ensure a nationwide deployment and network reliability."

 APCO International has supported a number of possible solutions for the deployment of a nationwide network that is viable not only for the major cities, but also the most rural parts of America.

 "This proposal is contrary to APCO International's position and that of many other public safety organizations," Fischer said.  "Public safety fought long and hard for clear, dedicated spectrum and it would be a huge mistake to give that up in exchange for discounted service from a commercial provider that will not meet mission-critical communications requirements.  While new ideas are always welcome, we hope that our friends and colleagues at NENA will reconsider their proposal.  APCO International recognizes that while we generally concur broadly with our partner organizations on issues of mutual interest, there are times when associations that collaborate consistently will have differing positions, as is the case with NENA's position on auctioning the aforementioned public-safety spectrum for commercial use."

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About APCO International

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications.  APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies.  For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.