Interoperability Order and FNPRM Federal Communications Commission Open Meeting January 25, 2011 Roberto Mussenden, Attorney Advisor Brian Hurley, Attorney Advisor Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Order and Further Notice: Achieving a Nationwide Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Wireless Network • Advances a framework for nationwide interoperable public safety broadband deployment. • Addresses the lack of interoperability cited by the 9/11 Commission as a major national problem. • Builds upon the waivers granted for early deployment of public safety regional networks. • Furthers the goal of developing a state-of-the-art interoperable broadband network for first responders. Order: Adopting a Common Technology • Designates LTE as the broadband platform for the nationwide network. • Recognizes a strong consensus in support of LTE. • An action necessary in this unique case to ensure nationwide interoperability. Order: Enabling Public Safety Interoperability • Stays certain rules premised on mandatory public-private partnership. • Allows the Commission to fully consider its options for advancing public safety broadband interoperability going forward. Further Notice: Proposing an Initial Technical Framework • The network must be nationwide. • The network must be interoperable. • The network must meet public safety communications requirements. Further Notice: Network Operability • The interoperability of public safety broadband networks requires a baseline of operability. • Comment sought on the architecture of the network, security, resiliency, robustness, and on other matters relevant to the operability of public safety broadband networks. Further Notice: Network Availability • Public safety users must have network access, wherever an emergency may arise. • Comment sought on coverage requirements, in-building public safety communications, and related matters. Further Notice: A Framework for Interoperability • The interoperability of public safety broadband networks is the fundamental goal. • Comment sought on network interconnectivity, public safety-to-public safety roaming, priority access and other components of interoperability. • Comment also sought on mechanisms for testing and verification of interoperability for public safety equipment and devices.