Gazette Notice SMSE-005-06

Comments Received

Department of Industry

Radiocommunication Act

Notice No. SMSE-005-06 — Consultation Paper on Public Safety Radio Interoperability Guidelines

The intent of this notice is to initiate public consultation through the release of the above-mentioned document to develop public safety radio interoperability guidelines.

Discussion

In cases of emergencies and in day-to-day operations, public safety agencies rely heavily on the ability to communicate with each other by radio. The Department recognizes the need for improved radio interoperability and has taken action such as making priority spectrum available and developing associated spectrum policies, processes and technical standards.

The issue of radio interoperability is a broad and complex matter. It involves the convergence of issues such as governance through the cooperation of all public safety agencies, standard operating procedures for the different types of usage situations, training of personnel and exercises to ensure full functionality as well as the technology to allow communications.

The focus of this consultation is on the issue of radio interoperability among public safety agencies in the area of technology, which includes radio frequency issues. This consultation paper provides an opportunity for comments on the definition of radio interoperability and other associated terms, as well as on an outline of different levels of radio interoperability, and the method that the Department would use to ensure the capability of public safety systems to meet the appropriate level of radio interoperability.

Interested parties are invited to submit their comments by September 4, 2006 to the Director General, Spectrum Engineering Branch. Shortly after the close of the comment period, all comments received will be posted on Industry Canada’s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website at: http://strategis.gc.ca/spectrum.

Submitting Comments

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, in electronic format (WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF or ASCII TXT) to the following e-mail address: interoperability@ic.gc.ca, along with a note specifying the software, version number and operating system used.

Written submissions should be addressed to the Director General, Spectrum Engineering, 300 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C8.

All submissions should cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, the publication date, title, and notice reference number (SMSE-005-06).

Obtaining Copies

Copies of this notice and documents referred to are available electronically on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website at: http://strategis.gc.ca/spectrum.

Official printed copies of Canada Gazette notices can be obtained from the Canada Gazette website at: http://canadagazette.gc.ca/publication-e.html or by calling the sales counter of Canadian Government Publishing at (819) 941-5995 or 1 800 635-7943.

June 3, 2006

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R.W. McCaughern
Director General
Spectrum Engineering Branch