https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Events
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • IWCE
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Premier Partners
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookies Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • Microwave/RF
    • T&D World
    • TU-Auto
  • In the field
    • Back
    • In the field
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Internet of Things
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Call Center/Command
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Network Tech
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Operations
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Regulations
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • Organizations
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
Urgent Communications
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Events
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookies Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • Microwave/RF
    • T&D World
    • TU-Auto
  • newsletter
  • In the field
    • Back
    • Internet of Things
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Cybersecurity
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
acc.com

Policy


Dingell comments raise questions about 700 MHz transition date

Dingell comments raise questions about 700 MHz transition date

Lackluster federal efforts to ease the digital-television (DTV) transition could lead to a delay in the 700 MHz transition date of Feb. 17, 2009, that was enacted a year ago, the chairman of the House Commerce Committee indicated this week
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 2nd March 2007

Lackluster federal efforts to ease the digital-television (DTV) transition could lead to a delay in the 700 MHz transition date of Feb. 17, 2009, that was enacted a year ago, the chairman of the House Commerce Committee indicated this week.

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) raised the issue in a speech to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and in reported comments to journalists following the address, which sharply criticized the Bush Administration’s DTV transition plan.

“We have to fix a date that … makes sense,” Dingell said to reporters after the speech, according to several press reports.

During his speech, Dingell noted several problems with the DTV transition, most notably the lack of details about the federal program to provide subsidized digital-to-analog converter boxes that will enable existing analog TV sets to receive digital programming after the transition date that is less than two years away.

Currently, there are no technical standards for the boxes or any procedures associated with the distribution of the boxes via retail outlets, Dingell said. With the program mandated to start in 10 months, such uncertainty potentially will be problematic for politicians on Capitol Hill, he said.

“While there is a lot we don’t know, we can be certain of one thing: If the converter box program doesn’t proceed smoothly, a day of reckoning will come,” Dingell said in his speech. “A scapegoat will be found. People will be voted off the island.”

Democrats voiced this sentiment repeatedly a year ago, when the Republican-controlled Congress enacted a DTV transition plan requiring broadcasters to stop transmitting analog signals on Feb. 17, 2009. With broadcasters transmitting only spectrally-efficient digital signals, 84 MHz of new spectrum will be made available to wireless operators—24 MHz for public-safety entities and 60 MHz for commercial carriers, which would bid on the airwaves in an auction that must begin by Jan. 28, 2008.

CTIA, the primary trade association for cellular carriers, would oppose any proposal to delay the 700 MHz auction—a notion that could “open up Pandora’s Box,” CTIA spokesman Joe Farren said.

“We supported the DTV legislation that is now law, and we certainly support having the auction in the established statutory timeframe,” Farren said. “We want to ensure that it occurs within the timeframe that is allowed by law. We wouldn’t support extending the deadline.”

Revenue generated from the auction—estimated at $10 billion by the Congressional Budget Office—has been earmarked to pay for the converter-box program, a public-safety interoperability grant program, some enhancements to 911 networks and deficit reduction. A delay in the DTV transition could have significant impacts on these budgetary programs, the auction, broadcasters’ business plans and wireless operators’ planning for the 700 MHz band.

Calling the initial proposal from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) an effort that treats the DTV transition as “little more than an unwelcome homework assignment,” Dingell noted that the $5 million cap on consumer-education funds is inadequate, given the importance of the program.

“As you must recognize, this effort will require much more than that—$5 million won’t even buy two 30-second Super Bowl spots,” Dingell said in his speech.

While some broadcasters may be treating the DTV transition like a political campaign in terms of their information push, Dingell said there is a notable distinction.

“You can win a political campaign with low turnout and a plurality of the votes – sometimes you don’t even need a plurality, as the 2000 Presidential election taught us,” he said. “If the digital transition campaign has low turnout and only captures 51% of the over-the-air audience, I doubt it would lead to much of a victory celebration.”

Tags: content Policy

Related


  • Public safety needs a better way to triage emergency calls
    The overarching goal of the public-safety community is to ensure that 911 callers receive the most appropriate emergency response as quickly as possible. Lives often are on the line in an emergency, and every second matters. Achieving a balance between sending the optimal response to an emergency and having it arrive as fast as possible […]
  • Newscan: FBI received over 100,000 pieces of digital evidence after Capitol attack
    Newscan: FBI received over 100,000 pieces of digital evidence after Capitol attack
    Web Roundup Items from other news organizations FBI received over 100,000 pieces of digital evidence after Capitol attack Social workers to be sent to non-violent 911 calls for service in St. Petersburg, Fla. Minnesota cities turning to drones to help law enforcement Police investigating legitimacy of 911 call that prompted huge response to Connecticut home […]
  • Intelsat to test 4G connections to iPhones from stratosphere
    Satellite company Intelsat appears to be coming down to Earth. Or, at least a little lower. Specifically, Intelsat is asking for FCC permission to test LTE connections in Arizona from a “high-altitude platform system,” or HAPS. The company said the HAPS is an unmanned aircraft operated by Airbus, and that it will allow the company to offer […]
  • Connected fleets and EVs could pose greatest cyber risk, says GuardKnox
    Connected Fleets and EVs could be at the biggest risk of future mass infrastructure cyber hacks that automakers will have to gear up to prevent. That’s the view of  Moshe Shlisel, CEO of cyber-security specialist GuardKnox who points out that these automotive sectors have become important parts of a nation state’s core infrastructure. The company, […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

To leave a comment login with your Urgent Comms account:

Log in with your Urgent Comms account

Or alternatively provide your name, email address below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Healthcare organizations bear the brunt of cyberattacks amid pandemic
  • On the road with in-vehicle satellite navigation systems
  • Report: Many governments facing revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19
  • Newscan: All Californians will soon be able to text 911 for help

Commentary


Public safety needs a better way to triage emergency calls

13th January 2021

In challenging year, working with public safety to move FirstNet forward

30th December 2020

Communications solutions must evolve quickly to meet needs of a changing world

31st October 2020
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


UrgentComm

RT @IWCEexpo: 📆 Mark Your Calendars: IWCE will be returning to Las Vegas this September and registration is slated to open in April 📆 Wa…

15th January 2021
UrgentComm

RT @IWCEexpo: ⚡FLASH SALE: Don't miss this exclusive offer! Passes to #IBFVirtual are now 50% off with code TWITTER50. Take advantage of th…

6th November 2020
UrgentComm

Get ready for part 2 of "Ensuring Public Safety Emergency Communications" next week! @PCTEL_inc will explore… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

3rd November 2020
UrgentComm

Over the past few months, we’ve seen the world transform, and it's clear that cities will be affected in the long-t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
UrgentComm

Florida state & local agencies subscribing to the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) will be able to co… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
UrgentComm

Tune in to @slacorp CEO Josh Lober as he explains how the company has fully integrated its #PTT application to work… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
UrgentComm

.@SierraWireless announced the commercial availability of the AirLink MG90 platform, which they tout as the first m… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
UrgentComm

Attorneys for #Hytera and #MotorolaSolutions this week submitted final written arguments, apparently clearing a pat… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

22nd October 2020

Newsletter

Sign up for UrgentComm’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about Communications and Technology.

Expert Commentary

Learn from experts about the latest technology in automation, machine-learning, big data and cybersecurity.

Business Media

Find the latest videos and media from the market leaders.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital and print audiences? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • Microwave/RF
  • T&D World
  • TU-Auto

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Careers

FOLLOW Urgent Comms ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X