Policy & Law Commentary

The FCC keeps making it worse for public safety

Broadband fever has spread though the FCC like a virus. The way the commission tells it, the future of wireless is broadband and ONLY broadband. The way I see it, the commission’s vision is fatally flawed.

Legislation puts D Block debate on Capitol Hill

The existence of the bill takes the debate on the D Block in Congress — which has to pass a new law to stop the airwaves from being auctioned — from a theoretical discussion to one with substance, because there is legislation that can be the subject of a vote on the matter. The fact that the legislation has bipartisan support from co-sponsors is another plus for public safety.

Elected officials support provides hope to public safety’s D Block effort

Public safety seemed to lack the political base necessary to make a legitimate push for the D Block. But last week, this effort received a big boost when the “Big Seven” state and local governmental organizations issued a letter asking for D Block reallocation for public safety.

National Broadband Plan a slap to public safety’s face

The nation’s most important 3 million-plus men and women got shortchanged, again, this time by the FCC’s National Broadband Plan presented to Congress last month.

Broadband-usage fee is the next battleground

Perhaps the biggest aspect of the national broadband plan CTIA is screaming about on the inside is the FCC’s recommendation that Congress provide $16 billion to construct and operate the network for the next decade and how that money would be raised: through an ongoing fee.

Stand up for broadband

Now that the FCC has issued its national broadband plan, the hard work begins (again) with regard to a nationwide public-safety system in the 700 MHz band. Part of that heavy lift for public-safety folks will be convincing the outside world of the need and viability of such a network.

Not so fast

Now that the FCC has issued its national broadband plan, it’s important to address a crucial misconception, which is that broadband technology can replace mission-critical public-safety voice systems in the near term.

McDowell sparks questions about narrowband 700 MHz

That thud you just heard was the sound of elected officials, public-safety communications directors and frequency coordinators hitting the floor after feinting in incredulity over the notion that the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars spent nationwide on 700 MHz narrowband voice systems represents spectrum that is described as “sitting there.”

Congress begins movement on public-safety network legislation

During a House subcommittee hearing on the FCC’s national broadband plan, two key lawmakers said they are working together to draft legislation that would appropriate most, if not all, proceeds from the commercial D Block auction to help pay for the proposed nationwide, broadband wireless network for first responders.

New jamming rules may be needed

Properly crafted, rules calling for such certified jamming are something the FCC and Congress should consider.

The FCC keeps making it worse for public safety

Legislation puts D Block debate on Capitol Hill

Elected officials support provides hope to public safety’s D Block effort

National Broadband Plan a slap to public safety’s face

Broadband-usage fee is the next battleground

Stand up for broadband

Not so fast

McDowell sparks questions about narrowband 700 MHz

Congress begins movement on public-safety network legislation

New jamming rules may be needed

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