[Ccarc] FCC forms new bureau will include Ham Radio

[Tom Murray]

==>FCC LAUNCHES NEW PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU

The FCC has formally launched its new Public Safety and Homeland Security
Bureau (PSHSB) <http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/>. The PSHSB will assume some
functions that had been under the umbrella of the Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau (WTB), where the Amateur Radio Service will
remain. WTB Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure Division Chief Michael
J. Wilhelm, WS6BR, has assumed a role within the new bureau, however.

"The events of September 11, 2001, and last year's hurricane season
underscored America's dependence on an effective national telecommunications
infrastructure," the Commission said. "The new bureau will build on the
Commission's longstanding commitment to meet the needs of public safety by
promoting robust, reliable and resilient communications services in times of
emergency." Addressing interoperability issues will be a part of that
process, Acting Bureau Chief Ken Moran told the Commission September 26.

The PSHSB is responsible for the combined public safety-related functions
previously spread among other bureaus and offices. It will include Policy,
Public Communications Outreach and Operations and Communications Systems
Analysis divisions. Wilhelm will serve as deputy chief of the PSHSB's Policy
Division. The Public Communications Outreach and Operations Division will
operate the FCC's Communications Center and the High Frequency Direction
Finding Center.

Some observers had speculated that Amateur Radio would be shifted to the
PSHSB, thus removing it from the WTB's market-based approach to regulation.
Moving some of the WTB's current responsibilities to the new bureau could
nonetheless speed up the process of moving Amateur Radio-related proceedings
through the Commission.

The FCC Order setting up the new bureau is on the FCC Web site
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-35A1.pdf>.