President Obama Adds Voice to Spectrum Debate

Proving that the issue of spectrum management and the FCC’s National Broadband Plan has reached an important level, President Obama has issued an official memorandum to the heads of government agencies ordering them to make available a total of 500 MHz of Federal and nonfederal spectrum over the next 10 years. The plan also includes auctioning the spectrum to raise revenues to fund communications projects, including a nation-wide public safety wireless network. In the memo, Obama noted the importance of expanded wireless access, and that it would, “will trigger the creation of innovative new businesses, provide cost-effective connections in rural areas, increase productivity, (and) improve public safety.” The memo puts the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in charge of managing the effort, and sets requirements for periodic reports. Read the memo here, some analysis of the president’s action here., and FCC chair Genachowski’s statement on the memo here (pdf).Update: In a statement, the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) applauded the President’s action. “NENA applauds the Administration for taking this critical step toward ensuring that public safety is equipped with the technology and capabilities necessary to efficiently and effectively respond to every-day emergencies as well as large scale events,” said NENA President Steve O’Conor, ENP.