Request for Comments: Nationwide Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Network

SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information  Administration (NTIA) issues this Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on behalf of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to seek public comment on the conceptual network architecture presentation made at the FirstNet Board of Directors’ meeting held on September 25, 2012, as well as to invite input on other network design and business plan considerations. NTIA also seeks comment on the general concept of how to develop applications for public safety users as discussed at the FirstNet Board meeting. FirstNet intends to use the input received from this process to shape its efforts to establish the interoperable public safety broadband network based on a single, nationwide network architecture called for under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Act).

DATES: Comments must be received no later than November 1, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. 

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by email to firstnetnoi@ntia.doc.gov. Written comments also may be submitted by mail to: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., HCHB Room 7324, Attn: FirstNet NOI, Washington, DC 20230.

Form more information: www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-04/pdf/2012-24469.pdf

Grants to Fund Broadband Equipment or Systems

On June 15, 2012, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Office of Emergency Communcations (OEC) released a DHS Information Bulletin (IB) to clarify the use of DHS/FEMA Public Safety grant funds for broadband related expenditures and investment. The IB was in response to the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and the suspension of Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) ARRA grant funds.

What is the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012?

• Authorizes the creation of a nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) in the 700 MHz spectrum band (based on a single, national network architecture)

• Designates a single licensee – the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) – to manage the building, deployment, and operation of the network

• Authorizes FirstNet to hold the 700 MHz spectrum license for the network, which will be based on commercial standards for the Long Term Evolution (LTE) service and which will evolve with technological advancements

What does this mean for Public Safety?

The DHS IB states: "Until the network architecture and the technical requirements are established, and until grantees have approval from FirstNet to operate in the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum, grantees should not be using FEMA preparedness funding for activities that may not support the NPSBN deployment (e.g., large-scale acquisition and deployment of LTE equipment and systems). FEMA GPD is concerned that if grantees are allowed to continue to invest in broadband technologies before FirstNet establishes technical requirements for the network, grantee spending may result in stranded (or stovepiped) investments (that is, equipment that cannot be integrated into the NPSBN because it is incompatible with the network architecture)." 

Grantees may direct funding toward low-risk broadband investments, including, but not limited to:

• Planning for broadband investments, including (but not limited to) developing assessments of existing infrastructure, and engaging the whole community in planning and defining needs 

• Analyzing/transitioning existing narrowband LMR systems currently deployed in the broadband public safety spectrum

• Site upgrades: Documenting site capabilities, conducting tower analysis, assessing site upgrades and needs

• Backhaul: Upgrading connectivity capabilities for public safety broadband including network capacity planning and modeling

Guidance for Grantees Not Holding FCC Waivers:

Grantees that do not have authority to operate in the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum (e.g., via FCC regulatory action and/or agreement with FirstNet) should not submit requests for, and will not be permitted to use any FEMA preparedness funding for broadband acquisitions and deployments until they have authority to operate in the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum. The Act requires the FCC to grant FirstNet a single license for use of the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum. However, until FirstNet develops final technical and operational requirements for the nationwide network, it is difficult to determine whether broadband-related investments will comply with them, or will integrate into the nationwide network. Therefore, until FirstNet issues such requirements and grantees have obtained authority to operate in the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum, grantees should not be submitting requests for, and will not be permitted to use, FEMA preparedness funding for broadband acquisitions and deployments. Holding FCC Waivers (most grantees)

Guidance for Grantees Holding FCC Waivers (21)

All requests submitted by grantees holding FCC waivers to use FEMA preparedness funding for broadband acquisitions and deployments will undergo a thorough Federal review.

Please note: This Information Bulletin applies only to broadband communications projects that will operate in the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum. FEMA GPD will still allow the replacement and/or expansion of existing non-broadband, non-700 MHz LMR systems and other communications investments.

Learn more about the DHS Information Bulletin here: www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6104

FY 2012 TIGER Awards in 34 states and the District of Columbia

On June 22, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded nearly $500 million from the TIGER 2012 program to 47 transportation projects in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Announcing the awards, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, “TIGER projects mean good transportation jobs today and a stronger economic future for the nation.”

Click here to see detailed state and project allocations.

FY2012 Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative Grants (VTCLI)

In June the  FTA announced the FY12 VTCLI awards valued at $29 million in competitive grants to help veterans, military families, and others connect to jobs and services in their communities by improving access to local transportation options.  The FTA selected 55 projects from the 81 applications valued at $41M.

Click here: FY12 Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative Allocations

USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS)Grant Programs

If you determine your community is not eligible or competitive for these programs,  RUS offers additional broadband infrastructure programs:

Farm Bill Loan Program

Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program

Transit Grants

DHS Grants

DHS

FY12 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP)

Available Funds: $87.5M
Deadline: May 4, 2012

FY12 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)

Available Funds: $97.5M
Deadline: May 4, 2012 

Why is Critical Infrastructure Protection Important?

• Attacks on critical infrastructure could significantly disrupt the functioning of government and business alike and produce cascading effects far beyond the targeted sector and physical location of the incident.

• Direct terrorist attacks and natural, manmade, or technological hazards could produce catastrophic losses in terms of human casualties, property destruction, and economic effects, as well as profound damage to public morale and confidence.

• Attacks using components of the nation's critical infrastructure as weapons of mass destruction could have even more devastating physical and psychological consequences.
  

DHS Critical Infrastructure/Key Resources (CIKR):

http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1189168948944.shtm
Critical infrastructure are the assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, public health or safety, or any combination thereof.  DHS has identified 18 critical infrastructure sectors: