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APCO AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR ERIC AND CLARIFIES POSITION ON RECENT SPECTRUM ACTIONS
April 28, 2010, Alexandria, Va. - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today reiterated its support for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Response Interoperability Center (ERIC), which was officially established on Friday.
"APCO International continues to actively work with Congress, the FCC and the Obama Administration to develop and implement comprehensive spectrum policies that foster and support immediate, short- and long-term progress in overcoming our nation's serious and ongoing public safety communications challenges, both during day-to-day emergencies and as a result of critical incidents and large-scale disasters," APCO International President Richard Mirgon said. "While we continue to disagree with the FCC’s recommendation that the D Block be auctioned, we appreciate and want to highlight those comments, proposals and recent actions taken by the FCC for which we can and do agree."
APCO International clarified their support for recent spectrum related FCC proposals and actions, including:
- the general concept of ERIC;
- the estimated costs for build-out and sustainment of a nationwide public safety broadband network at $16 billion as part of the National Broadband Plan (NBP);
- the concept of centralizing public safety communications to create greater spectrum efficiencies and effectiveness and to help solve some of the ongoing interoperability problems caused by a patchwork of spectrum allocations that are the result of a fragmented approach to allocating spectrum to public safety;
- the intention to act on the current 18 waiver requests this spring regarding use of the 10 MHz allocated to the PSBL to begin to build out portions of the eventual nationwide public safety broadband network, and;
- the inclusion of the need for Long Term Evolution (LTE) within the NBP as the standard for public safety broadband systems.
"As part of the national Public Safety Consensus Group, and in close cooperation with the Big 7 state and local government associations, APCO International continues to reach out to all segments of our nation to seek common-sense public policy and regulatory action toward establishment of a nationwide, public safety grade interoperable mobile broadband network," Mirgon said. "While this is a complex, sophisticated issue that requires in-depth conceptual, technical and practical expertise and experience, we continue to believe that all Americans must come to understand its monumental importance to our nation's safety and the ability of our first responders and public safety agencies and officials to proactively and successfully provide for that safety and response. We appreciate the FCC's continued perspective in moving toward that goal and look forward to working closely with them and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as with the Department of Justice, to ensure that there is a fluid and comprehensive process for establishing standards and ensuring interoperability." 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 throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.
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