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 SEPARATE  STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  KEVIN  J.  MARTIN 
 In  re:  Improving  Public  Safety  Communications  in  the  800  MHz  Band  (March  14,  2002) 


 Public  safety  operations  are  critical  to  the  welfare  of  our  society.  It  is  imperative  that  the  communications  systems  supporting  the  nation’s  emergency  response  providers,  who  are 
 responsible  for  the  protection  of  our  lives  and  our  property,  are  interference-  free  and  readily  available  when  they  are  needed. 


 The  public  safety  community  has  expressed  concern  that  their  communications  systems  in  the  800  MHz  band  are  being  impacted  by  interference  from  other  spectrum  users.  These 
 problems  are  partially  related  to  the  manner  in  which  the  Commission  has  regulated  this  band.  They  are  also  related  to  accelerated  growth  of  the  varied  systems  making  use  of  this  band. 


 While  the  root  causes  of  the  problems  are  complicated,  our  goal  is  very  clear  -  we  must  remedy  this  situation.  I  am  pleased  to  support  this  item,  which  addresses  the  interference 
 problems  in  that  band  and  takes  an  important  step  toward  finding  a  resolution.  Equally  important,  this  item  will  generate  a  fresh  record  regarding  the  amount  of  spectrum  required  by 
 the  public  safety  community  in  carrying  out  their  important  missions. 
 I  am  optimistic  that  this  item  will  generate  a  range  of  creative  and  effective  options  for  improving  the  spectrum  environment  in  that  band.  I  thank  Nextel,  the  National  Association  of 
 Manufacturers  (NAM),  and  others  who  have  already  taken  the  initiative  to  offer  such  options  for  our  consideration.  I  am  also  hopeful  that  this  Commission  will  find  a  remedy  that  will  not  result 
 in  unnecessary  disruption  to  the  incumbent  licensees.  I  look  forward  to  working  closely  with  the  public  safety  community,  Nextel,  NAM,  and  other  impacted  spectrum  users  in  better 
 understanding  and  resolving  the  issues  implicated  in  this  proceeding. 
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