Mayor Announces $50 Million Grant for New Public Safety Network

The U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) and Mayor Newsom today announced the
award of a $50.6 million grant to build a broadband communications
network for Bay Area public safety agencies.  This network is one the
first of its kind in the nation to be built utilizing the 700MHz
spectrum, recently vacated by television stations.


The
grant will fund the Bay Area Wireless Enhanced Broadband (BayWEB)
project, which will provide Bay Area emergency responders with a
dedicated and prioritized broadband communications system.  The system
will allow fire, police and other public safety officials to transmit
information more quickly and efficiently, during both day-to-day
operations and major emergencies.  For example, new broadband
applications can enable responders to view the layout of a burning
building before entering it or transmit video images from an accident
scene.


“When a major earthquake or disaster strikes next in the Bay Area, a
regional, secure and dedicated communications network for our first
responders will literally save lives, prevent further damage and protect
public health and safety,” said Mayor Newsom. “I am proud that, working
together with cities and our public safety and law enforcement agencies
throughout the region, the Bay Area will now be one of the nation’s
first regions to deploy this innovative emergency broadband
communications network.”