Subject: [NEXTEL-1] Regulators expand airwaves for emergency communication

From: Marcel <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2003 12:03:26 -0400

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2003-04-24-airwaves_x.htm

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Posted 4/24/2003 10:26 AM

Regulators expand airwaves for emergency communication
WASHINGTON
(AP)
— Federal regulators doubled the airwaves available for emergency and public safety workers Wednesday, giving a boost to police seeking better crisis communications and firefighters wanting to send video from inside burning buildings.

The Federal Communications Commission voted 5-0 to allow local and federal safety agencies to sign up for a chunk of airwaves set aside last year for emergency and homeland security efforts.

Unlike the various slivers of airwaves space devoted to public safety in the past, the new airwaves occupy a single large area well suited to broadband applications like live video.

"The big lesson of Sept. 11 was you have all of these people showing up at a spot because of a national disaster and their devices couldn't communicate," said John Muleta, chief of the FCC's wireless bureau. He said emergency workers from different jurisdictions will have an easier time communicating using the new airwaves.

Muleta said several companies are developing equipment to use the new airwaves. Potential uses include monitoring the vital signs of rescuers, sending images of wanted or missing people to police cars, improving voice communication and better management of emergency scenes.

For example, Muleta said, a firefighter could enter a burning building with a helmet-mounted camera sending live video to commanders outside. The commanders could download floor plans and direct rescuers to a particular room or apartment to save someone who had called 911.

It is uncertain whether cash-strapped public safety agencies can afford the new gadgets, but basing the technology on existing commercial wireless equipment may cut costs, said Ron Haraseth, a director with the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.

The FCC regulations also allow private companies involved in public safety to use the emergency airwaves with government approval.

Muleta said allowing commercial users like utility companies to coordinate with safety workers over these airwaves can improve the response to an emergency.

Separately, the agency overhauled rules governing the licensing of frequencies for commercial satellites used for communications, satellite TV and examining the Earth. The changes are intended to help satellite companies get services to consumers faster by making the licensing process take months instead of years.

The FCC also voted to change regulations involving the "e-rate" program, which provides schools and libraries with discounts for Internet and other communications connections. Up to $2.25 billion is available from the fund each year.

The money comes from charges to phone companies, who usually recover the costs by billing customers a line-item for "universal service" on monthly phone bills.

Congressional auditors and internal FCC investigators have warned there is not enough oversight of the e-rate program to prevent fraud, waste and abuse.

The latest changes are intended to make the fund more efficient and prevent people who abused the program or have criminal records from being involved in its operation. The FCC also expanded the program to include funding for voice mail services to help teachers stay in touch with parents.

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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