House subcommittee sets hearing for public-safety network

Members of the House subcommittee on communications and technology will conduct a hearing entitled “Creating an Interoperable Public Safety Network” next Wednesday, according to the House Commerce Committee website.

Earlier this week, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and four other Democratic senators called for Congress to approve legislation that would reallocate the 700 MHz D Block — set for commercial auction under current law — to public safety, which would use the spectrum to support proposed 700 MHz LTE broadband networks nationwide. Media reports indicate that the Senate Commerce Committee chaired by Rockefeller will mark up Rockefeller’s bill that would reallocate the D Block and authorize the FCC to conduct incentive spectrum auctions next Wednesday — the same day as the House subcommittee hearing.

“The fact that the topic is being discussed and debated is always positive for [public safety], because that means that they’re working the issue,” said Richard Mirgon, former president of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, during an interview. “As much as we have a lot of people who may have some different points of view on some subjects, it’s really an opportunity to resolve issues and create better law.”