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Motorola Calls for Congressional Action to Improve & Secure Nation's First Responders Communications NetworkWASHINGTON, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- One of the foremost technology experts from Motorola, Inc. called on Congress to take action now to ensure much-needed improvements to our nation's emergency communications infrastructure in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. At the hearing entitled "Communications Interoperability - Communications in a Disaster," Mr. Grube stated: "There are two undisputed solutions for this challenge. First, end the DTV transition now with an early date certain so that 700 MHz of desperately needed spectrum for interoperable communications among first responders is available all across the nation. Every year we wait is a year too late. Second, appropriate the money equal to the need so that the goal can be accomplished in five years rather than twenty years." "Whether they be hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, or even terrorist attacks, if we don't prepare for them, we will pay one way or another. In fact, we have known since September 11th, 2001 that most of our existing wireless public safety infrastructure needs to be upgraded. Simply put: Our first responders need modern communications systems that are fully capable of handling whatever challenge is thrown at them," Mr. Grube offered. True, Interoperable Networks True Interoperability provides direct communication between first responders using a standards-based network. It is a thorough, well-planned approach that enhances daily operations, and during a major incident, allows instant communication between all agencies and jurisdictions that respond. True Interoperability is based on the user-developed Project 25 (P25) standard, which is the most commonly deployed radio standard in the world. "A key requirement is interoperability. It was too often the case that the responding agencies could not talk to one another. This interoperability challenge is not new and was not caused by Katrina or Rita. These hurricanes simply again exposed the real world problems and inadequacies. Spectrum, money, and planning are the solutions," Mr. Grube testified. Hurricane Katrina has become the largest single disaster recovery effort in Motorola's 77-year history. Mr. Grube informed the Senate panel about Motorola's experience during Katrina, where most of Motorola's public safety customers were up and running in some form within 48 hours of Katrina. However, despite limited but working communications, many law enforcement and relief agencies could not communicate with one another because their networks were not interoperable. Clearing 700 MHz to Give First Responders Additional Spectrum Motorola also will urge Congress to free up more frequency spectrum (specifically 700 MHz) on which interoperable networks can operate privately and securely. Access to this spectrum is critical to public safety to achieve interoperability among agencies, alleviate radio communications congestion, and implement high-speed data, imaging and video solutions for first responders. A small number of television stations currently occupy the 700 MHz spectrum to operate channels 60-69. In 1997, Congress told the Federal Communications Commission to allocate 700 MHz spectrum for public safety use exclusively by Dec. 31, 2006, but left an open loophole that allows TV stations to remain on 700 MHz if less than 85% of the nation's households are able to receive digital TV broadcasts. Mr. Grube told the Senate panel: "We should establish standards for response that assure minimal communications shall be restored in any area of the country within 12 hours. This can be accomplished by pre-positioning trucks that are self-contained and come equipped with hundreds of portable radios for immediate deployment." Motorola also urged investing in alternative power sources for public safety radios and equipment, such as portable fuel cell cartridges, and moving toward a more sophisticated use of existing satellite communications "to tie together different government entities." About Motorola Motorola is a Fortune 100 global communications leader that provides seamless mobility products and solutions across broadband, embedded systems and wireless networks. In your home, auto, workplace and all spaces in between, seamless mobility means you can reach the people, things and information you need, anywhere, anytime. Seamless mobility harnesses the power of technology convergence and enables smarter, faster, cost-effective and flexible communication. Motorola had sales of US $31.3 billion in 2004. For more information: http://www.motorola.com/ . Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020307/MOTLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-b in/prnh/20020415/MOTNOTAGLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, [email protected] Motorola, Inc. CONTACT: Stephanie Valle for Motorola, Inc., +1-202-944-1911,[email protected] Web site: http://www.motorola.com/ |