Internet Fee Suggested To Fund PS Network

An official at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has suggested that a nationwide wireless network for public safety agencies could be funded with a 50 cent monthly fee tacked on to subscribers of broadband Internet services. Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau chief James Barnett Jr. mentioned the amount of the fee during an interview about on-going plans to allocate 700 MHz spectrum to a public safety network, and a debate over a Congressionally-mandated plan to auction certain bands to commercial communications providers. Public safety organizations generally oppose the auction plan, and instead want Congress to pass legislation directly assigned the spectrum to public safety. The FCC’s plan for a public safety network have included a fee as a possible funding source, but Barnett’s talk of “50 cents” is the first time a specific amount has been mentioned. Read more about Barnett’s remarks here.