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1Ilall.linllton, _ 20515
June 12,2012
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chainnan
Federal Communications Commission
445 12lh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Re: File Nos. 0004980650, etal.; DA No. 12-74
Dear Chainnan Genachowski:
On January 23, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice, DA 12­
74, seeking comments regarding a request for waiver filed by the State of Maine. The State is seeking
access to additional spectrum for a new state-wide public safety radio communications system. We urge
the Commission to proceed as quickly as possible to respond to the State's request.
State and local government public safety agencies across Maine currently rely upon a patchwork
ofoutdated radio systems, which do not provide consistent coverage, reliability or interoperability. A
new state-wide radio system has been planned and is fully funded, but it requires additional channels that
are not presently available to the State without a waiver ofcertain Commission rules. The channels in
question are currently unassigned, but are designated for use by railroads and other industrial and business
entities. The State infonns us that it can use these channels without causing interference to current
licensees or significantly limiting future spectrum availability for authorized users.
We also understand that the State of Maine has other applications necessary for the new radio
system that are now pending with the Commission. We urge the Commission to process those
applications as quickly as possible so the State can proceed with deployment of its new public safety
communication network.
Thank you for your consideration of the issues raised in this letter.
Sincerely,
~~
Susan M. Collins
United States Senator
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Chelhe Pmgree
Member ofCongress
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Unitel States enator
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Michael Michaud
Member ofCongress
cc: Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett, Jr. (Ret.)
FCC Chief, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau
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