- What is the PSST and who are the board members?
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The PSST is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia. It was established to provide public safety leadership an organizational structure through which decisions can be made to guide the construction and operation of a nationwide wireless broadband network for public safety.
The PSST board is comprised of representatives of the following organizations:
- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
- American Hospital Association (AHA)
- Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO)
- Forestry Conservation Communications Association (FCCA)
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
- International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
- International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
- International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA)
- National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials (NASEMSO)
- National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA)
- National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)
- National Emergency Number Association (NENA)
- National Fraternal Order of Police (NFOP)
- National Governors Association (NGA)
- National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)
- Who determined the composition of the PSST board?
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defined what organizations must be represented on the board of the Public Safety Broadband Licensee (PSBL). The PSST followed these requirements when it applied to the FCC to be the PSBL.
- What is the difference between the PSST and the PSBL?
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In 2007, the FCC created the role of the Public Safety Broadband Licensee (PSBL) to be the licensee of 10 MHz of public safety broadband spectrum. That spectrum will be paired with the 10 MHz from the commercial D Block licensee to create a Shared Wireless Broadband Network (SWBN). Following an application process, the FCC awarded the PSST the PSBL license on November 19, 2007. Since that time, the PSST has been the PSBL.
- How will the PSST incorporate the needs of local public safety representatives?
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As directed by the FCC, PSST board members represent organizations representative of local, county and state public safety organizations - and the local, county and state governments who employ them. Members of the PSST board have experience at the local level and understand the unique needs of differing communities. The PSST also looks forward to maintaining contact with the local public safety community by way of Public Safety's Regional Planning Committees.
- Knowing that the PSST board members all have outside responsibilities, will there be sufficient staff resources dedicated to this complex and critical initiative?
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The FCC has provided public safety with an unprecedented opportunity to gain access to advanced communications capabilities and tools. The PSST board includes public safety officials who have dedicated their lives to advancing a public interest mission. Each of them is personally committed to ensuring the success of this undertaking. The PSST has also retained a professional advisor, Cyren Call Communications Corporation, to help make sure the PSST's duties and obligations are met.
- What is the Bidder Information Document for the public safety network?
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The Bidder Information Document (BID) was created by the PSST to share with prospective D Block bidders the expectations and preferences of the public safety community in advance of the start of the 700 MHz auction. The final BID was published on November 30, 2007.
- Who contributed to the creation of the BID?
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In addition to the PSST, public safety organizations from across the country contributed to the creation of the BID, including the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC). In addition, a number of potential bidders for the 700 MHz D Block shared information that was considered in preparing the BID.
- Why did the PSST choose Cyren Call as its advisor?
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The PSST sought an advisor that had the experience necessary to provide the PSST with advice and counsel on the myriad topics and subject areas relevant to its activities and objectives. The PSST looked for an entity that both understands the needs of the public safety community user base and has an acute knowledge of the commercial wireless sector. Cyren Call met these requirements, providing the right mix of perspectives, experience and skill sets necessary to help design and operate a dual-use network of this historic magnitude.
- Why is an advisor needed?
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Given the unique nature of this task, its scope, and complexity, an advisor provides the PSST with access to resources, skill sets and backgrounds that may not be available within the public safety community. Cyren Call's knowledge of the commercial sector, the wireless business, next-generation technologies, financing and economic drivers will help the PSST ensure public safety's best interests are served.
- Why is this network needed for public safety?
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Since the responsibilities of public safety continue to expand, its communications capabilities must grow as well, particularly in the area of data applications. It also has become apparent that public safety would benefit if its equipment could leverage some of the cost efficiencies enjoyed by users of consumer wireless products. The Shared Wireless Broadband Network that will be developed with the PSST's leadership will provide the next-generation capabilities first responders need to do their jobs effectively and efficiently.
- How much will it cost to build the network?
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It is impossible to know that at this time. Ultimately, this question will be best answered by the D Block licensee who will be constructing the Shared Wireless Broadband Network.
- Per the FCC Order, when will the network reach 99.3% population coverage? Which markets will roll out first?
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FCC build-out benchmarks cover a period of ten years. The FCC stated that a detailed build-out schedule must be included in the Network Sharing Agreement, but did not specify a market roll out schedule. The FCC has defined the following build-out milestones:
- End of Year 4 - 75% population coverage
- End of Year 7 - 95% population coverage
- End of Year 10 - 99.3% population coverage
- Are local public safety agencies obliged to use the network?
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No, use of the network will be the decision of each local public safety entity. However, the network will provide a robust, next-generation communications service that we believe will be compelling to public safety agencies across the country.
- What happens to the money that has already gone into interoperability and public safety communications?
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Investments in critical voice communications will continue to serve their necessary and worthwhile purpose. However, the new nationwide broadband network will provide capabilities that otherwise might not be attainable to many public safety agencies due to the significant costs involved.
- Should local public safety communities begin planning now for this network?
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Although the Shared Wireless Broadband Network is a few years away from deployment, local budgeting decisions should begin considering how this service could augment current public safety communications capabilities.
- How can local and state public safety agencies request a meeting with the PSST to discuss the impact of this network on their community?
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Members of the public safety community should reach out to the PSST to discuss the network in greater detail by using the contact information found on www.psst.org.
