Congress Hears Debate Over Nationwide Network

A U.S. House of Representatives committee heard testimony from public safety officials about the failed spectrum auction earlier this year, and how a nationwide public safety communications network might best be created. The House Committee on Homeland Security held the hearing, titled ““Interoperability in the Next Administration: Assessing the Derailed 700 MHz D Block Public Safety Spectrum Auction,” and heard from law enforcement, cellular and association officials. Derek Poarch, chief of the FCC’s Homeland Security Bureau, revealed that a draft proposal for a second auction of 700 MHz spectrum would lower the minimum bid to $750 million and would allow regional bidding. Certain technical requirements would also be relaxed and the license period would be extended from 10 years to 12 years, all to encourage more companies to bid. Find downloads of the prepared testimony and watch the hearing video Webcast here.