In response to the Federal Communications Commission’s plans to conduct a re-auction of the 700 MHz D block spectrum, Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) filed comments recommending the expansion of satellite requirements to ensure reliable and interoperable communications to the public safety community. A copy of MSV’s complete filing is available on the FCC web site.

MSV’s filing recommends that the Commission modify its “one satellite handset” rule to require that at least one model of each major device type (e.g., one laptop card, one PDA, and one phone), and half of all models made available to public safety officials, incorporate satellite communications capability. “The Commission and the public safety and emergency response communities recognize that satellite services can improve the public safety network by extending coverage and increasing reliability and survivability,” said Jennifer A. Manner, vice president of regulatory affairs for MSV. “However, for these benefits to be realized satellite capability must be built into public safety officials’ primary devices — the devices they keep charged and at hand and already know how to use.”

“MSV’s comments explain that broadening the satellite requirement to include multiple types of devices (i.e. laptop card, PDA and phone) will go a long way to ensuring that public safety officials have reliable satellite communications at their fingertips when an emergency strikes,” said Jim Corry, vice president of government solution for MSV. “This type of requirement also will enable expanded area coverage and improved connectivity for public safety organizations operating in rural areas, especially when the terrestrial network is damaged or congested.”