Harlin McEwen, Police Chief
September, 2003 - The 800 MHz Interference Problem
In August 1999, the Phoenix Police Department and other public safety agencies were experiencing serious interference in their 800 MHz public safety radio systems. It was soon discovered that commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) licensees (wireless phone operators) such as Cingular, Sprint PCS, Nextel Communications, AT&T and Verizon Wireless were the unintentional cause of this interference. Competing Transmissions The primary problem is that 800 MHz spectrum used by public safety and commercial users such as wireless phone companies is intermingled. These public safety systems typically have one or a few high site base stations serving a large area – while CMRS systems use hundreds of low site base stations in the same area. In many cases, these ubiquitous broadcasting units “overpower” the public safety transmissions. This situation has serious, and potentially fatal, consequences for first responders. In many cities around the U.S., first responders experience garbled, fuzzy or blocked calls. And the vulnerability of one police officer or one firefighter who cannot communicate risks not only that individual, but also the citizens they protect. Especially in times of crisis, when panic and confusion can so easily cripple a response, there is simply nothing more important than getting information where it needs to go and getting it there fast. This fact has prompted the public safety community to act so that mission critical communications can function as needed. By partnering with private wireless users and Nextel Communications, the Consensus Proposal was born.
The Consensus Plan
In March 2002, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) promised to resolve this issue as effectively and expediently as possible. Their primary objectives were to 1) remedy interference at 800 MHz, 2) minimize disruption to existing licensees and services at 800MHz, and 3) ensure public safety agencies have access to adequate spectrum to support their critical missions. After numerous discussions and studies, the public safety community, private wireless and Nextel introduced the Consensus Plan. This proposal solves the economic, technical and policy problems associated with the current banding at 800 MHz for public safety, including interference. Most of the first responder community stands behind this Plan because it takes a systemic approach to solving the problem that involves no extra cost to taxpayers or first responders.
Distinct Blocks
The Consensus Plan would realign the current jumbled licensing of 800 MHz systems into two distinct blocks: one block for high-site architectures like those used by public safety and private wireless systems, and one block for cellular-like architecture – low-site systems like those used by wireless carriers. Creating these separate contiguous blocks for high-site and low-site systems means that interference will be nearly eliminated. Also, the Consensus Plan would provide public safety communications operators considerably more spectrum at 800 MHz.
The Opposition
There is an ongoing effort on the part of those opposing the Consensus Plan to convince the FCC and others that rebanding is not the solution. Those opposing are primarily wireless carriers competing with Nextel, the United Telecom Council (UTC), and utility companies. This opposition has suggested the solution to the interference problems is a case-by-case mitigation tactic. Each public safety area, in theory, could – through a combination of re-training and technical fixes – minimize interference. The trouble with this incremental approach is that it is reactive and attempts to alleviate the symptoms of interference issues rather solving the underlying problem: that pubic safety and commercial radio systems are inherently incompatible system architectures in the same spectrum and geography. Also, this plan is not funded and does nothing to allow the creation of advanced, reliable and robust communications networks.
Moving Forward
Interference continues to escalate and more public safety agencies throughout the country are identifying similar problems in their jurisdictions every day. Currently, wireless carriers are addressing interference on a case-by-case basis through the use of best practices. The Consensus Plan is the only proposed solution that meets the needs of public safety, the FCC’s set goals and that is comprehensive, funded, and technically proven. But, most importantly for first responders, by separating cellular operations from public safety operations in the 800 MHz band, interference will be eliminated – and critical communications can be reliable. There continues to be broad support for the Consensus Plan proposed by IACP, MCC, NSA, MCSA, IAFC, APCO and others. The signatories to the Consensus Plan represent more than 90 percent of all affected licensees in the 800 MHz band. In order to eliminate interference and mobilize first responders to vocalize support for the rebanding effort, the advocates of the Consensus Plan have established a website at http://www.projectconsensus.org where you may obtain further information. This is an extremely important FCC proceeding and we must act to ensure the FCC puts the safety of first responders and the communities they serve as the top priority.
Article submitted by Project Consensus. For more information on Project Consensus, visit www.consensusplan.org.