This Working Group will work with the TIA/ETSI Project MESA organization and coordinate with their work and advocacy for developing broadband public safety standards.

The focus of this group will be to:

1. Provide NPSTC representation and participation within the MESA process;
2. Assist in the development and analysis of global broadband public safety communications scenarios; and
3. Ensure that MESA meets and properly reflects public safety’s requirements for deployable broadband technologies.

This Working Group will focus upon facilitating the development and utilization of Software Defined Radio (SDR) technologies for the support of public safety communications and operations.

The activities of this group are to :

1. Provide NPSTC representation and participation within the SDR Forum process;
2. Provide documentation of NPSTC’s positions in related regulatory matters and filings;
3. Assist in the development and analysis of public safety communications scenarios and in identifying the benefits and concerns related to the use of SDR-based technologies to support public safety operations;
4. Ensure that the work of the SDR Forum meets and properly reflects public safety’s requirements for deployable SDR-based technologies; and
5. Actively contribute within SDR Forum activities and working groups including:
   1. The SDR Forum Public Safety Special Interest Group (PSIG) activities (RFI for SDR Solutions to SAFECOM SDR).
6. The SDR Forum Cognitive Radio/Spectrum Sharing Working Group (Report on Cognitive Radio Capabilities, Spectrum Monitoring at RNC).

This Working Group will work as a focal coordination point for national SIEC activities. Its goal is to assist SIECs in the development of consistent interoperability processes and guidelines.

The focus of this group will be to:

1. Clarify NCC’s recommendations on the use of "Statewide" vs. "State" in the SIEC definition;
2. Provide documentation of NPSTC’s positions in related regulatory matters and filings;
3. Advocate the use of SIECs to establish Federal interoperability grant criteria;
4. Develop and promote State plans; and
5. Assist States to enact legislation to formally establish SIECs

The Radio Channel Naming Working Group, originally the Common Nomenclature Working Group and located within the Regional Planning Committee (RPC) Committee, is working to achieve a common nomenclature for all interoperability channels in all public safety bands.

For more information on the NPSTC Channel Naming Report click here.

This Working Group will promote the availability of 700 MHz spectrum for public safety and Homeland Security nationwide, develop recommendations on 700 MHz issues for the NPSTC Governing Board action, and facilitate outreach to the public safety user community and government decision makers on 700 MHz issues.

The initial objectives of this group are to:

1. Advance TV Clearing;
2. Support shortspacing of land mobile and TV stations, pending full TV clearing;
3. Encourage FCC to stop licensing additional LPTV stations in channels 60-69;
4. Develop a position on the wideband reserve spectrum;
5. Support conformance of 700 MHz station ID rules to match those at 800 MHz;
6. Obtain FCC clarification of Fixed Operation status for 700 MHz;
7. Develop a position on 12.5/6.25 kHz reconsideration issues; and
8. Assist the Technology Committee in seeking FCC action on the TIA 902 wideband standard previously recommended by the NCC.

This Working Group will focus on the mitigation of communications issues involving public safety operations in the U.S. border areas, and will proactively work in international regulatory realms to facilitate more effective communications in these border areas.

The immediate objectives of this group are to:

1. Work with Canada and Mexico to help facilitate timely and effective international allocation, regulation, and sharing of 700 MHz spectrum;
2. Provide documentation of NPSTC’s positions in related regulatory matters and filings;
3. Assist NPSTC and the public safety community with the border region aspects of the 800 MHz rebanding efforts; and
4. Serve as a focal point for border area public safety communications issues as they arise.

Mission: The NPSTC Amateur Radio Working Group was formed under the Technology Committee to review existing interoperation between public safety and amateur stations in emergencies, including technical, operational, regulatory and training considerations, and recommend ways of improving interoperability. It will also and study common concerns of the public safety and amateur radio services, such as interference identification and mitigation.

The focus of this group will be to:

1. During 2007, the Amateur Radio Working Group will study the status of interoperability and interaction between public safety and amateur radio services, both during normal times and in emergencies;
2. Work with the Interoperability Committee to identify technologies and spectrum that help to maximize interoperability between public safety agencies and amateur radio;
3. By 2008, prepare recommendations for advancing interoperability between public safety agencies and amateur radio;
4. During 2007, study the status of interoperability and interaction between public safety and amateur radio services, both during normal times and in emergencies;
5. Develop best practices for public safety to incorporate amateur radio into its operations. Review successes and failures around the country. Promote mutual understanding of Amateur Radio Emergency Organization's roles and organizational structures;
6. As an ongoing effort, identify interference sources common to public safety and amateur radio, and recommend mitigation methods;
7. Help NPSTC define the role of the amateur radio service working with the public safety community.

Mission: To promote the availability of affordable in-building and in-tunnel communications in ways that do not interfere with critical operations and to serve as NPSTC liaison with other entities addressing in-building/in-tunnel communications.

The focus of this group will be to:

1. Assess Public Safety in-building communications requirements (Partnered with IBWA to develop survey free of charge to NPSTC; promoted survey participation at NPSTC and subsequently presented summary results. Recently working with IBWA on a "scorecard" matrix of how in-building communications can assist public safety.);
2. Assess Public Safety in-tunnel communications requirements;
3. Determine interference concerns (Initially significant concerns by Jack Daniel and others, however, request for info on specific interference cases have yielded only a few results),
4. Explore ways to minimize interference (Arranged presentation by Dekolink at June 13, 2006 meeting);
5. Formulate NPSTC recommendations to FCC on in-building communications issues for Board approval (TBD, as part of white paper development.);
6. Liaison with the In-Building Wireless Alliance (IBWA) -- Active and Ongoing;
7. Develop In-Building white paper for Board approval and placement on web (WIP-Revised target by June meeting);
8. Examine wireless access to building information on the incident scene (Initial discussions at WG mtg. 2/5/07);
9. Catalog local ordinances (no Board vote but agreed to in focus group 2/5/07 by several key Board members. Info collected needs to be summarized as part of whitepaper development. (WIP)

• Best Practices for In-Building Communications 
• Best Practices for In-Building Communications - Appendix A-E 

Mission: This workgroup will identify technology topics of interest to NPSTC participants and the communications community at large. They will facilitate the development and delivery of appropriate training materials to address those topics up to and including creating publications, marketing plans, seminars, and/or other methods of ensuring educational benefit.

The focus of this group will be to:

1. Identify list of target topics. - August 2007;
2. Develop a detailed work plan for each target topic, including identification of a SME for each. - November 2007