Public Safety Spectrum Trust Selects Cyren Call as Advisor

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The newly constituted board of directors of the Public Safety Spectrum Trust Corporation (PSST) has voted unanimously to select Cyren Call Communications Corporation as its advisor, subject to completion of a professional services agreement between Cyren Call and the PSST.

On July 9, 2007, recognizing a short time frame before the commencement of the 700 MHz auction, the PSST made public a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the position of advisor to the PSST. Letters of intent were due to the PSST on July 20, 2007 and by the time of the RFP submission deadline of July 30, 2007, the PSST received ten responses for the role of advisor. A PSST review committee then narrowed their focus to three responses and conducted oral interviews with the candidates on August 13, 2007.

Chief Harlin McEwen, Chairman of the PSST, said, "The PSST received a number of qualified responses and we're grateful to all those who sought to assist the creation of the public safety network. Although we have selected a single advisor, I'm hopeful that we will reach out to our applicant pool in the future when opportunities to support the public safety network become available." He added, "The PSST spent the last several weeks reviewing responses, interviewing prospective candidates and further defining the role of our advisor. The Cyren Call team contains the right mix of skill and experience and we are confident their contributions will make the public safety network a success."

Among the short-term goals for the PSST will be the preparation of a Statement of Requirements (SOR) defining the public safety network for interested commercial partners. The SOR is planned to be released in advance of the 700 MHz auction short form application deadline. This document will serve as a general blueprint for the construction, operation and cost of the public safety network. Its purpose is to ensure potential 700 MHz D Block bidders are appropriately informed before the spectrum auction begins on January 16, 2008.

Chief McEwen stated, "A few weeks ago, the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) Broadband Working Group, working in consultation with Project MESA, began developing a technical statement of requirements for the public safety network and Cyren Call will be working closely with this group." He added, "Our goal is to have as many well- informed bidders for the D Block spectrum as possible. The PSST has been hearing from a number of potential bidders and I now encourage all prospective bidders to contact Cyren Call to begin understanding the requirements of public safety for this shared network."

Following requirements provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in its Second Report & Order on the 700 MHz band released on August 10, 2007 and its September 24, 2007 Order on Reconsideration, the PSST is also now preparing its application to the FCC for the position of national Public Safety Broadband Licensee (PSBL).

Chief McEwen commented further, "On behalf of my fellow board members, I'm pleased to announce that we are off and running toward the goal of creating a nationwide wireless broadband network built to meet the challenging needs of public safety. We are particularly grateful to FCC Chairman Martin and the other FCC Commissioners for presenting this historic opportunity."

The PSST Board of Directors is comprised of representatives of the following organizations: the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO); the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO); the Forestry Conservation Communications Association (FCCA); the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC); the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA); the National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials (NASEMSO); the National Emergency Number Association (NENA); and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA). In addition to these organizations, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the National Governors Association (NGA) have been invited to name representatives to the Board and the FCC will be appointing four separate organizations as part of the board of the PSST.

In July 2007, the FCC adopted a decision to facilitate the creation of a nationwide wireless broadband network for public safety by way of a public/private partnership. In exchange for building the public safety network, the winning commercial bidder for the 700 MHz D Block will gain secondary access to adjacent public safety spectrum after successful negotiation of a Network Sharing Agreement with the PSBL. Together, these spectrum assets will be used to create one network, which will allow commercial service for consumers, while maintaining a nationwide network for public safety, including priority access during emergencies.

About the PSST

The PSST is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia. This organization was established to provide national public safety leadership a focal point and an organizational structure through which decisions can be made to guide the construction and operation of an interoperable nationwide broadband network. Pending FCC approval, this nationwide, shared network will be built and operated to meet the communications requirements of the public safety community through a public safety/commercial partnership.