Public Safety Spectrum Trust Named Broadband Licensee
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Public Safety Spectrum Trust Corporation (PSST), a non-profit established by national public safety leadership to oversee the creation of a nationwide wireless broadband network for public safety, was selected by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to be the Public Safety Broadband Licensee (PSBL). Following today's announcement, the PSST will hold a license for 10 MHz of public safety spectrum in the upper 700 MHz band designated for nationwide wireless broadband use.
On September 10, 2007 , the FCC issued a Public Notice soliciting applications for the PSBL. In its application, the PSST ensured its compliance with the FCC's criteria that it be a non-profit organization; be broadly representative of the public safety community; satisfy certain organizational requirements; and incorporate certain provisions in its articles of incorporation and bylaws.
"We are grateful to the FCC Commissioners for recognizing the significant amount of work and progress achieved by the PSST to fulfill the FCC's guidelines for creating a nationwide network for public safety," said Chief Harlin McEwen, Chairman of the PSST. "Holding the spectrum license is a responsibility the PSST takes very seriously as we embark upon building an unprecedented interoperable communications system for public safety."
According to the FCC's Second Report & Order on the 700 MHz band, 10 MHz of the spectrum now held by the PSST will be combined with an adjacent 10 MHz of spectrum to be licensed to the commercial winner of the upper 700 MHz D Block auction. The 700 MHz auction is set to begin on January 24, 2008 . Together, these spectrum assets will be used to create one shared nationwide wireless broadband network, which will provide commercial service for consumers, while maintaining a nationwide network for public safety, including priority access during emergencies.
On November 15, 2007 , the PSST released a Bidder Information Document, providing prospective D Block bidders with information about certain public safety expectations and preferences regarding the public-safety-commercial partnership. The PSST anticipates releasing an updated version of this document, reflecting additional feedback, by November 30, 2007 .
Chief McEwen added, "With the 700 MHz auction date rapidly approaching, our continued priority is to lay the foundation for a productive and beneficial partnership with the commercial D Block auction winner."
The PSST Board of Directors is comprised of representatives of the following organizations: the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO); the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO); the Forestry Conservation Communications Association (FCCA); the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC); the International City/County Management Association (ICMA); the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA); the National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials (NASEMSO); the National Emergency Number Association (NENA); the National Governors Association (NGA); and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA).
On November 9, 2007 , the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the selection of the American Hospital Association (AHA), the National Fraternal Order of Police (NFOP), the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA), and the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) as the four at-large members to the PSBL's board of directors.
About the PSST
The PSST, a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia, is the Public Safety Broadband Licensee (PSBL) holding an FCC license for public safety spectrum in the upper 700 MHz band designated for nationwide wireless broadband use. The PSST's mission is to provide national public safety leadership an organizational structure through which decisions can be made to guide the construction and operation of this interoperable nationwide broadband network via a public safety-commercial partnership, ensuring the communications requirements of the public safety community are met. For additional information, visit www.psst.org.
SOURCE Public Safety Spectrum Trust Corporation

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