Verizon proposes plan for public-safety broadband network

Verizon Wireless is now reportedly proposing a plan to build a nationwide broadband public-safety network in the 700 MHz band, but unlike Cyren Call's earlier proposal, Verizon wants to do so in a spectrum band that has already been allocated to public safety when analog TV operators transition to digital TV. That way public safety won't touch the 60 megahertz of spectrum promised for commercial services. Verizon's plan envisions using 12 megahertz of the 24 megahertz that is already allocated for public safety to build a nationwide network. Verizon would then augment its existing infrastructure to give the first responder community coverage it would require, making it, in essence, pay rent. And the spectrum would not be shared with Verizon Wireless' commercial customers. It's an interesting proposition given the fact that the public-safety community has been asking the FCC to allow it to deploy high-speed data services in a part of the band and the leading technology contender there is CDMA 1xEV-DO.

Nextel co-founder Morgan O'Brien and his company Cyren Call asked the FCC to set aside 30 megahertz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band for a national broadband public-safety network. The network would be run by a public-private partnership with commercial operators that would fund network infrastructure deployment in exchange for leveraging the 700 MHz band for wireless business opportunities. CTIA and operators oppose the idea since it cuts into spectrum already allocated for commercial services.

For more about Verizon's public-safety network proposal:
- take a look at this article from RCR Wireless News