EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Public Safety is a core function for local governments. Adequate wireless communications are essential to executing the Public Safety function promptly, effectively, and cost-efficiently.

Today local governments face two major problems in public safety wireless communications. First, across the country, there is a general lack of interoperability between radio systems, between agencies, and between jurisdictions. Second, the Federal Communications Commission has allowed commercial wireless providers to interfere with essential public safety radio communications. This frequency interference causes significant geographic “dead spots” where public safety radios don’t work.

Both problems can be solved. The solutions require spectrum reallocation by the Federal Communications Commission and federal funding to assist local governments as they buy much-needed new equipment and rearrange existing equipment.

The problems are not new. September 11th has brought them into sharp focus. Local officials have spoken for years about the basic problems of lack of interoperable equipment, lack of adequate interoperable frequencies, and unnecessary interference with public safety radio transmissions. Federal, state and local law enforcement, fire and public health agents must be able to communicate reliably with each other in the field.

The good news is that these problems can be solved. This TeleCommUnity Alliance white paper identifies the problems and proposes specific solutions. TeleCommUnity encourages comments and suggestions on this document and the issues it confronts.


October 25, 2001
TeleCommUnity Alliance

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