A Secondary Broadband Provider for Public Safety

A first responder may have multiple wireless communications systems to choose from. At least one system must provide service of sufficient quality and availability for mission-critical voice communications during emergencies. I have referred to this as the primary system [2]. In addition, that first responder can benefit greatly from access to a variety of other systems that I have referred to as secondary [2]. This white paper will briefly summarize some of the advantages of secondary systems in general, and secondary systems providing broadband services in particular. This white paper is a complement to an upcoming Capitol Hill Briefing [1]. This paper will also discuss some of the dangers of using resources intended to build a primary broadband system, and then settling for a secondary broadband system.