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800 MHz debate rages on and on Page 2 of 3 We need a faster, more focused approach to the 800 MHz radio interference problem. The "Balanced Approach" plan attacks and resolves interference -both proactively and reactively - at its source with enhanced best practices and without the significant disruptions contemplated in the Consensus Plan.lt provides a solution wherever a problem exists, and pays to fix that problem at no cost to public safety. And, unlike the Consensus Plan, there is no funding cap. If a problem exists, the Balanced Approach plan pays to have it fixed, and quickly. There is no cap on the number of receivers that would have to be replaced. There is no benefit to one commercial operator. There is no disruption to public safety throughout the country. Instead, there is a deliberate and thoughtful focus on the safety and lives of our first responders. The Federal Communications Commission needs to heaz from the public-safety community about its real needs. Editor's Note: Jill Lyon is general counsel for the United Telecom Council and Diane Cornell is vice president for regulatory affairs at the Cellulaz Telecommunications & Internet Association. Visit www.Fix800MHzNow.com to obtain additional information regazding the Balanced Approach plan. Balanced Approach plan proponents distort the facts By Alan Tiller Unfortunately, the CTIA/UTC commentary on the preceeding page significantly distorts what is -and is not -part of the "Consensus Plan." It also claims benefits from the Balanced Approach that the overwhelming majority of the public-safety community does not believe will occur. Allow me to focus my rebuttal on a few key statements made by the proponents: "Should cost overruns occur, public-safety and state treasuries that already are drowning In red ink might be forced to make up the d~erence. " -The Consensus Plan always has provided that no entity need move without the complete necessary funding already having been committed, and in escrow, for that relocation. Period. No public safety entity will be required to put out any money, up front or otherwise. To suggest otherwise is a gross misrepresentation of the Consensus Plan. "Consensus Plan proponents tout the illusion that public safety will get additional spectrum at 800 MHz. This is highly speculative. " - In fact, Consensus Plan advocates conducted sample studies before the plan was submitted. The number of additional frequencies that will be available to public safety after rebanding was discussed at several Association ofPublic-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), International seminazs. In some very large urban azeas (Dallas, for example), the number was quite significant. In other areas (such as San Diego), the number was small. The Balanced Approach proponents have never submitted or otherwise shown any evidence or studies to support their statement. "The Balanced Approach plan attacks and resolves interference, both proactively and reactively, at its source with enhanced best practices. " -Please take the time to review what the proponents have actually filed. You will find that their series of solutions is only imposed on carriers operating from 851 MHz to 869 MHz. In other words, cellular operators are exempt from the requirements the proponents seek to impose. However, this ignores the fact that Cellulaz A systems aze a significant cause of interference, particularly to National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) systems. In any case, best practices -enhanced or otherwise -aze no panacea or interference "silver bullet." Cities such as Denver have been using so-called enhanced best practices for quite some time now, with negligible http://iwce-mrt.com/microsites/magazinearticle.asp?mode=print&magazinearticleid=190329... 6/23/04