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Objective 2— Facilitate a modernized and improved

spectrum management system

Spectrum Management Process

National Forum on Public SafetySpectrum Management

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Introduction

Objective 2— Spectrum Management Process

• The Commerce Advisory Group (CAG) is responsible for producing a report focusing on state and local public safety and commercial spectrum issues related to the President’s four objectives

• This session will help develop input on how public safety entities manage spectrum and frequency assignment process that the Department of Commerce will incorporate into the report

• Specifically, the group is asked to help develop a means to facilitate a modernized and improved spectrum management system

• This group will discuss and comment on figures outlining perceived processes used in assigning and managing spectral resources

Spectrum Management Process

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Meeting Ground Rules

Objective 2— Spectrum Management Process

• The primary goal of the breakout session is to generate discussion

• Debate should focus on ideas posed, not the individual providing the input

• Open and candid discussion is encouraged

• Participants must use available microphones, stating their name and organization they represent EACH TIME they contribute to the discussion.

• Discussions will be non-attributable. All information gathered will be presented in the aggregate. No individual or agency will be mentioned in conjunction with a specific suggested improvement or opinion

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Objective 2— Spectrum Management Process

Spectrum Management Process

• The current FCC Rules do not always reflect the reality of the coordination process in the field. Geography, in particular, requires different decision models and considerations than are delineated in the Rules

• The regulatory bodies should ensure a complete understanding of the licensing process by the users and coordinators. In addition, more responsibility might be delegated to the coordinators

• The rulemaking process seems to be unnecessarily protracted. The regulatory bodies may be too concerned with perfecting the rule, often missing the effective window of opportunity

• State and local public safety agency representatives acknowledged that the current spectrum management system could be improved, but that combining the authority of the NTIA and the FCC was not a viable solution

Preliminary Key Findings

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Objective 2— Spectrum Management Process

• Does this figure require any significant changes?

• What parts of this process work well?

• What parts do not work well?

• How can this process be improved?

• What best practices exist in the overall spectrum management process?

User Defines Needs

ITU Establishes International

Allocations FCC Establishes U.S.

Allocations

FCC Conducts

Administrative Programs

FCC Authorizes

Frequency Use

FCC Evaluates

Users’ Requests

Users Request

Frequencies

Frequencies Ready For

Assignment

User Defines Needs

ITU Establishes

International Allocations

FCC Establishes U.S.

Allocations

FCC Conducts

Administrative Programs

FCC Authorizes Frequency

Use

FCC Evaluates

Users’ Requests

Users Request

Frequencies

Frequencies Ready For

Assignment

Spectrum Management Process

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Objective 2— Spectrum Management Process

• Does this figure require any significant changes?• What parts of this process work well?• What parts do not work well?• How can this process be improved?• What best practices exist within the user activities

of the spectrum management process?

Define System User

Requirements Define

System User Requirements

Submit Application to Appropriate

NPSPAC Regional Review Committee

Submit Application for NPSPAC Coordinator

Review

?

NPSPAC Channel

Applications

Non - NPSPAC Channel

Applications

User Activities

Prepare Application: FCC Form 601

Frequency Coordinator Forms

Submit Application To Appropriate

Frequency Coordinator

Submit Application To Appropriate

Frequency Coordinator

Define System User

Requirements Define

System User Requirements

Submit Application to Appropriate

NPSPAC Regional Review Committee

Submit Application for NPSPAC Coordinator

Review

? ?

User Activities User Activities

Prepare Application: FCC Form 601

Frequency Coordinator Forms

Submit Application To Appropriate

Frequency Coordinator

Submit Application To Appropriate

Frequency Coordinator

Spectrum Management Process

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Objective 2— Spectrum Management Process

• Does this figure require any significant changes?• What parts of this process work well?• What parts do not work well?• How can this process be improved?• What best practices exist within these frequency coordinator activities?

Frequency Coordinator Activities

Available Frequencies

Application Entered into CET, APCO,

or FCCA Database National Office

Review of Application

National Office

Review of Application

Intercoordination Among Frequency

Coordinators

Available Frequency

Review Available

Frequency Review

Submit Application

to FCC

Spectrum Management Process

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Objective 2— Spectrum Management Process

• Does this figure require any significant changes?• What parts of this process work well?• What parts do not work well?• How can this process be improved?

FCC Activities

Application Received by

FCC Database License

Application Reviewed by

FCC Examiner

License Application

Reviewed by FCC Examiner

License Granted or Refused

Application Automatically Checked by

ALMAPS

Spectrum Management Process

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Objective 2— Spectrum Management Process

• During the November 12 meeting, the majority of participants did not support the combination of public safety spectrum management into a single entity

The Frequency Management Process

License Granted (Administration Process Begins)

Federal Agencies Define User

Requirements and Request Frequencies

Independent Frequency

Coordination

Internal NTIA Regulatory Review

and Frequency Coordination

Final FCC Regulatory Review of Application

State and Local Agencies Define

User Requirements and Request Frequencies

Spectrum Management Process