The Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability (Interoperability Board) is charged with developing, in consultation with NTIA, NIST and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Emergency Communications, “recommended minimum technical requirements to ensure a nationwide level of interoperability for the nationwide public safety broadband network.” The RTG Board nominated and Chairman Genachowski subsequently appointed Ron Strecker, CEO of Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. and Panhandle Telecommunications Systems, Inc. (Oklahoma) as the rural wireless representative.

The Interoperability Board will conduct a public workshop on April 23rd at the FCC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Interoperability Board was established under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Spectrum Act). Pursuant to the Spectrum Act, the Interoperability Board is required to furnish the FCC with its recommendations by May 22nd and then the FCC must forward these recommendations to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), the entity overseeing the development of the national public safety mobile broadband network. After receiving input from the Interoperability Board, FirstNet is tasked to incorporate those recommendations, without any material changes, into its request for proposals to construct, operate and manage the public safety mobile broadband network. The workshop will be open to the public and parties interested in attending should register here.