[Scan-DC] New 700 Mhz system in DC?

[Andrew Feinberg]

Frankly, while this telecom policy journalist / scanner buff is
painfully aware of the 700mhz public safety land grab / bandwagon, I'm
a bit dumbfounded as to why DC would pay for a new (voice only) 700
system when not only does the 800 work well and is interoperable with
most of the neighboring COG-member jurisdictions (also on 800) many of
which having just rebanded, but also when FirstNet (the nationwide
public safety broadband network) is just starting its process. .

Now, I see how the most excellent signal penetration of the 700mhz
band (remember watching tv via rabbit ears indoors?) might be
attractive to those jurisdictions that for whatever reason are just
now going to their first trunked digital system for voice
communications, but I don't see the utility in a jurisdiction with a
working 800mhz deploying a whole new voice only system on a different
band when there will soon be a large swath of spectrum available for
not only voice but all sorts of broadband applications as well.

Maybe I am naive but if it were me, I'd save my money and invest in
the sexy broadband and all the cool toys it can support.

(Too bad for us you can't scan ip-based broadband)

Thoughts? Maybe someone knows something I don't.



On Jan 8, 2013, at 9:59 PM, Alan Henney <alan at henney.com> wrote:

>
> I think the irony is that the taxpayers are paying $50 to $60 million for this system and there is no discussion or mention of it in the "main stream" media.
>
> I would presume after it is up, running and tested, the mayor will make a
> big announcement.
>
> Alan
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dewey3" <dewey3 at gmail.com>
> To: <Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 12:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] New 700 Mhz system in DC?
>
>
>> Coincidence... yes.  I'm hearing that the move to 700 has already started,
>> just haven't been able to personally confirm it (remember, I'm retired).
>>
>> Dewey
>
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