The FCC will consider a rulemaking this Wednesday to implement a nationwide, broadband, interoperable public-safety network in the 700 MHz band, reports MRT Magazine.

Under current law, 24 MHz is earmarked for public-safety use while 60 MHz will be auctioned to commercial operators in a bidding process beginning by late January 2008.

Of the 24 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum designated to public safety, half of the airwaves currently will be used to enhance narrowband voice capacity. The other 12 MHz has been the subject of considerable debate and several proposals that would enable wideband and broadband uses. A proposal from guard-band managers Access Spectrum and Pegasus Communications calls for the consolidation of narrowband channels in a way that would leave 5.5 MHz blocks of contiguous spectrum for broadband use. They pledge to pay any additional incremental costs, if the FCC chooses to adopt their plan.

This 12 MHz also has been the subject of a proposal from Verizon Wireless. A proposal from Cyren Call Communications (above) calls for public safety to keep its 24 MHz of spectrum and gain another 30 MHz of spectrum currently scheduled to be auctioned. A public-safety broadband trust would lease the spectrum to commercial operators willing to build public-safety-grade networks that also could be leveraged for commercial purposes.

Last month, the FCC dismissed the Cyren Call petition without prejudice, noting that it lacked the authority to act on a proposal that would contradict a congressional mandate to auction the spectrum.

With this in mind, Beltway sources believe the commission would not address the matter during the upcoming meeting. In the meantime, the FCC continued to receive comments on the proposal in a proceeding that ends this week.

The National Emergency Numbering Association (NENA) told the FCC that the coordination of merging wireline and wireless networks with emerging E-911 Internet Protocol services was essential.

If the FCC required, say, 3-4, 1.25Mhz-wide broadband channels on television channels 63/64 & 68/69 (above), EVDO-based Verizon and Sprint might profit by adopting their celluar service to the 700 MHz band as might Qualcomm’s 802.20. So might IP Wireless and Mobile WiMAX (if they can squeeze their technology into 1.25 MHz channels).

Dumping the entire 700 MHz band onto public service agencies could be one strategy for eliminating the commercial competition. U.S. cellular revenues now top $100 billion per year and growing. The 700 MHz band could provide a threat to cellular profits. That’s because 2-3 antennas might cover an entire community, enabling cheaper universal service.

There’s only one problem with this public service “give away” scenario — Congress hopes to make billions on a 700 MHz auction. Only commercial services are likely to bring in the big bucks.

Still, with only 30-60 MHz to go around, bandwidth is limited. WiFi can use 85 MHz over three, non-overlapping 20 MHz channels. Satisfying competing interests for the valuable 700 MHz band may require more than a little diplomacy.

M2Z Networks, a wireless broadband start-up backed by Sandhill Road venture capitalists - proposed to build a nationwide wireless broadband network — with free, ad-supported service — in the AWS band. It didn’t get far with the FCC. But it’s an interesting concept — not unlike MetroFi’s “free” municipal WiFi service.

Too bad Kevin Martin’s Man Of The Year is Ed Whitacre. On the other hand, the FCC could go democratic (with a small “d”) using the IEEE 802.22 standard. The Agency could allow both licensed and unlicensed 700 MHz access points on unused television channels between broadcast tv stations (after February 2009).

Related DailyWireless articles include; Comments on 700 MHz Spectrum Sharing?, 700 MHZ Spectrum Grab?, Rural Broadband Dying, The AWS/700mhz Dance, Joint Commecial/Muni Proposed for 700Mhz, 700 Mhz: Public or Private, Public Service Bands, Networx!, Bills Expand Unlicensed UHF Access, Nextel’s iDen Heads to Feds?, Police Call, Public Service Moves to 800Mhz, Lousiana: Broadband Trial By Fire, Cico’s Push to Talk, Public Service Bands, 700 Mhz Goes Commercial, McCain: Broadcasters Squatting on 700Mhz, More 700 Mhz Testimony, 700 Mhz Worth $28B, The Smartest Guy in the Room, The 700 MHz Club, Auction #44 in the 700 MHz Low Band, Lockheed in $10B Wireless Project, FCC: Nextel Gets Spectrum Credit, Public Service Moves to 800Mhz, Oregon’s 700 mile Cloud in NY Times, WiMax: On The Road with Adaptix, MultiMedia Interoperability, London Explosions & Wireless Fallout, Broadband Bills, More 700 Mhz Testimony, 700 Mhz Worth $28B, Consensus Decision in Nextel’s Court and FCC: Nextel Gets PCS Spectrum.

Posted by Sam Churchill on Monday, December 18th, 2006 at 2:02 am.