COM 0522.007 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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rr ory Harry Kim - Lawrence K. ifahuna i t!avor Police Chief i'•: '"i';:'d:"~ f~arr~. KuSojiri Depufj~olicaChief County of Hawaii - POLICE DEPARTMENT -O 349 Kapiolani Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720-3998 _ ~ ~ (808) 935-3311 Fax (808) 961-2389 ~ ~ _ -V April 30, 2004 w TO 0, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE FROM E K. MAHUNA, POLICE CHIEF SUBJECT: RADIO SYSTEM The Managing Director asked that I provide you with an explanation for our Department's intention to develop a trunked land mobile radio system in the 700 MHz band as opposed to the 800 MHz band. Primarily, we were driven by a federal initiative to provide bandwidth in the 700 MHz spectrum specifically for public safety. The State of Hawaii has committed to the 700 MHz public safety radio band, and the County is a member of the 700 MHz Regional Planning Committee which is responsible for developing a spectrum allocation plan. The 700 MHz Band Plan encourages interoperability and is the first and only State and local Public Safety band that can be shared with federal government users. Currently, there are more available channels in the 700 MHz band to support interoperability. The 700 MHz Band Plan provides for both high speed and wideband data. Another concern is that an 800 MHz system will require more tower sites for the same area of coverage than would a 700 MHz system. Finally, there have been serious interference issues with public safety broadcasts in the 800 MHz band, primarily with some of the cellular phone providers. With the proliferation of cellular phone sites supporting the various Personal Communications Services (PCS), the net result is that some of the PCS companies overpower the 800 MHz trunked radio system, leaving communication gaps in the public safety system. With the use of the 700 MHz spectrum, this interference will be minimal or hopefully non-existent. Comm. No. ?it• Ref. To: rqe "An Gyual Opportunity Provider" Ref, DCIe