Alternative Frequencies for Use by Public Safety Systems

On behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has prepared this report in response to Title XVII, Section 1705 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2001. It represents part of a joint submission to the Congress by NTIA and the Federal Communications Commission regarding alternative frequencies for use by state and local public safety agencies. It is submitted as a separate report, under a joint cover letter, outlining the issues involving the use of alternative frequency bands allocated for federal use. Another important part of this legislation directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to study the feasibility of sharing frequencies in the 138-144 MHz band with non-federal public safety agencies.

The FCC's companion report is posted at http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/020118-Alternate_138-144_Report.pdf