Transcript December, 2010

700 MHZ BROADBAND FOR MISSION CRITICAL
PUBLIC SAFETY DATA
A BRIEF OVERVIEW
March 2012
Present State of Broadband in Canada
• Different technologies in use
• Different systems in use
• Not seamless ability for wireless broadband
nationwide
• No Canada-U.S. harmonization
• Thirst for public safety bandwidth increasing
exponentially
• Industry Canada Consultation provides opportunity
to state public safety needs
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
The Issue
• The allocation of 700MHz broadband spectrum
represents a once in a lifetime opportunity
• If done correctly will enable mission critical data
communications for public safety for years to come
• Having this ability directly impacts community and
responder safety, innovation and the health of
Canada’s digital economy
• Public safety’s voice must be heard — we need the
right tools to protect and save lives
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Background
• November 2010 – Industry Canada (IC) Minister announces
Spectrum Auction for late 2012
• IC opened consultations on the 700 MHz broadband allocations
on November 30, 2010
• Submission and rebuttal period in early 2011
• August 2011 marked the transition from analog television to
digital in Canada, freeing up spectrum for potential use by
public safety
• IC Minister Paradis announces on March 14, 2012 that 10 MHz
will be allocated in Canada for “public safety use”
• Additional round of consultations expected summer 2012 on
additional 10 MHz of spectrum (D Block)
• Canadian public safety professionals must have access to
modern and reliable communications capabilities
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
In the U.S.
• A similar analogue-to-digital TV transition was accomplished
in June 2009
• The FCC had already licensed 10 MHz to the Public Safety
Spectrum Trust (PSST) - board comprised of IACP, IAFC, etc.,
see www.psst.org/index.jsp
• Collectively, U.S. public safety agencies fought for a second 10
MHz block in the critical band of 700 MHz spectrum known as
the D Block
• On February 17, 2012, US Congress agreed to allocate the D
Block to public safety (for a full 20 MHz) and support the
development of a mission-critical, nationwide public safety
broadband network
• Canadian responders now face the same challenge for the
second 10 MHz
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Three Key Points
• We applaud the Government of Canada’s commitment to designate 10 MHz of
spectrum in the 700 MHz band for public safety broadband use. It is an important
first step. But in order to implement a nationwide network that can support
mission-critical communications for our first responders, we need Industry Canada
to take the second step. Canada's first responders need ubiquitous access to 20
MHz of spectrum.
• It is vitally important to our public safety and security requirements that we
acquire a full 20 MHz allocation, just as the U.S. has decided to do. This is the
amount of bandwidth we need to make effective use of modern communications
tools during emergencies. Our case for the full 20 MHz of spectrum in response to
realistic and frequent occurrences is proven and scientifically supported. 20 MHz
of spectrum will improve the ability of emergency responders to protect
communities and save lives.
• Governance of the 20 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum for public safety for broadband
use must reside with public safety stakeholders. A dedicated national
interoperable public safety broadband network under the stewardship of public
safety will be inherently more reliable, more robust, more functional and more
resilient than current public safety communications systems.
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Why is this so important?
• Today, Canadian public safety entities use existing
commercial networks for their data needs
• Some 700 MHz narrow and wide band spectrum is
already dedicated to public safety in Canada for
voice and some low speed data use
• However, securing dedicated spectrum for
broadband applications for public safety will ensure
wireless broadband networks can be built with the
needs of public safety in mind moving forward, to
“Mission Critical” requirements
• Take advantage of US/World standard LTE 4G
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Why is this so important?
• With advances in technology, Canadian agencies will
have an increasing need to access data and video
networks during all emergency incidents
• Availability of such networks responds directly to the
Canadian tri-services identified priorities of improved
interoperability and integrated emergency management
-- spectrum allocations are a key enabler for the creation
of such a network
• Above all, Canadians will be safer if responders have the
ability to provide services with the most up-to-date
technology enabled by spectrum dedicated for public
safety
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Example
Firefighters from New Brunswick asked by CIFFC to fly
to British Columbia (or California, or Australia) to
help fight wildfires – the wireless device (future
versions that are hardened & intrinsically safe)
immediately connects to the 700 MHz system in BC
(or wherever), authenticates them as a public safety
user and gives them full BROADBAND access to
mission critical data including GIS location tracking,
situational awareness info about where the fires are
located (based on access to wireless sensors that
have been deployed) and full topographical and /or
satellite maps.
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Example
Paramedics are called to the scene of a mass casualty
event along the Washington State – British Columbia
border. BC Incident Commanders quickly realize that
they require assistance from their U.S. counterparts.
They begin deploying wireless patient care telemetry
devices that connect via the 700 MHz Broadband
network. Because the network was built using the
same spectrum and standards (LTE), the US
responders can immediately get access the
information required (as authorized by previous
governance and SOP’s) to successfully respond to
this joint operation.
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Example
Police are called to an Active Shooter situation at a local
college. Based on broadband access to the 700 MHz network,
they immediately deploy three teams into the school via
three different entry points. 3D in-building location and
tracking devices (originally spearheaded by the fire
community) allow team leaders, local Incident Commander
and HQ to be aware of each other’s location. They then
access the IP based speaker/microphone system in the
college, overlay sounds on the building floor plan, and
immediately identify victim/suspect location info. Fire and
paramedic teams responding have (as authorized) access to
the data to begin planning their response.
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Nationwide Broadband Network
• Benefits for Public Safety
– A fully interoperable nationwide network
– Saving resources through a coordinated system
– Unlocking the potential of commercial devices and
infrastructure for public safety
– Providing better performance and cost effectiveness
through innovation
– Enhancing the public safety mission
– Procurement savings through economies of scale
Potential Growth Vision
•Border and a
few major
cities
•Major
centres
•Regional
solutions
•Major
arteries
•Continentally
Aligned
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
It sounds expensive…
• Building and management of broadband networks across
the country can be achieved in collaboration with
industry – possibly via P3 partnerships
• However, the licensing/control of the spectrum is
critical and the key enabler
• Spectrum dedicated to public safety will dictate that
industry build wireless broadband networks with the
needs of public safety in mind
• By design, these networks would be inherently more
reliable, more robust, more functional and more
survivable — to a level that is expected and required to
support emergency response operations
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
The Bottom Line
• Public safety agencies will continue to pay user fees to
access the network – but now to new entity
• LTE Infrastructure/operations with P3 partnerships
• Amend the Building Canada Fund to include
communications networks to help F/T/P/M agencies
• Reduce or eliminate Industry Canada spectrum
licence(s) fees
• Seek federal funding to help set up administrative body
(eventually self sustaining)
• TBA — governance and business model work continues
Work of the Tri-Service Committee
• Formulate a broad-based public safety response to
the public consultations on the use of the 700 MHz
band
• Monitor and advise on the issue, inform
stakeholders and identify responder spectrum needs
and potential opportunities
• Engage with industry, public safety providers and
different levels of government to put forward a
position that makes sense for Canadian public safety
and Canadians in general
• Deliver the written response to the consultations
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Work of the Committee
• Ensure that the spectrum needs of responders and
public safety in general are considered and accounted for
• Enough spectrum to fulfil vision of a robust system of
interoperable networks that will benefit urban, suburban
and rural responder agencies in Canada
• Alignment with U.S. with a view to a trans-continental
vision
• Work with industry to help better define needs and
future vision
• Advocate and work with others on a whole-ofgovernment approach
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
What can YOU do about it?
• Get informed and put this issue on your
organization’s radar
• Inform your boards, municipalities,
provincial/territorial governments and other
governing bodies that spectrum allocations will have
a significant impact on public safety in Canada
• Work with tri-services colleagues and others to
advocate a strong voice for public safety in advance
of spectrum allocations
• Look for and act on mobilization information as it
sent by CACP, CAFC, EMSCC and others
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…
Call to Action!
• Web site created by the Associations to provide a
focal point for communications efforts:
www.action700.ca
(download basic information, including today’s media
release, and sign up for e-mail updates)
• Call for volunteers — send e-mail to:
[email protected]
(we will need supporting letters, technical experts,
outreach, etc.)
Working together to improve public safety interoperability…