Launch Requirements - PSCR

Executive Summary
Public Safety Broadband
public safety requires a very robust prioritization scheme that can be enacted at the local level. This is
especially true in large-­‐scale events that have established hierarchy with role-­‐based levels of priority.
Some situations are of such critical importance that certain network traffic should be able to pre-­‐empt
lower level traffic. Strict controls and national standards need to exist for this type of pre-­‐emption to
curtail any potential abuse.
Resiliency
Public safety responders need to be able to exchange information even when any piece of the network
is unavailable due to failure, such as in the event of a natural disaster. This makes off-­‐network, peer-­‐to-­peer,
and self-­‐healing capabilities critically important. Redundancy is one traditional approach to
building high availability networks, but high network availability could be achieved by designing the
network with resiliency, which could result in a lower deployment cost.
Security
Public safety processes sensitive information on a daily basis, which requires robust security measures
to ensure integrity, confidentially, privacy protection, and information assurance. A nationwide public
safety broadband network would be an obvious target for cyber attack. This fact requires that extensive
security measures be enacted to prevent attacks on the network to include but not be limited to cyber-­attacks,
physical site security, and denial of service.
NPSBN High-Level Requirements
The establishment of high-­‐level technical and administrative launch requirements for the NPSBN will
form a firm foundation for subsequent detailed requirements for the NPSBN and expected support
activities that FirstNet will undertake.
The high-­‐level launch requirements defined in this document are intended for FirstNet consideration in
its design, development, deployment, operation, and evolution of the NPSBN.
Managing Expectations
Although this Statement of Requirements document describes the “Launch Day” needs of public safety,
there are features and functionality not listed that require the attention of FirstNet. Any Request for
Proposal (RFP) issued by FirstNet should be written to leverage the efficiency of a long-­‐term vision
during the initial build out. For example, if mission critical voice is envisioned to become part of the
NPSBN, the RFP should consider this in defining coverage requirements.
Various requirements in this document refer to public safety grade (PSG). While the meaning of this
terminology was not defined at the time of this document’s completion, the NPSTC Broadband Working
Group (BBWG) plans to define the terminology as quickly as possible, for use by FirstNet in system
design. For now, the intent of the PSG terminology is to convey the need for design choices that support
a greater overall network reliability and resiliency to network disruptions compared to commercial
Launch Statement of Requirements
viii for FirstNet Consideration, December 2012