President Obama Adds Voice to Spectrum Debate

June 29, 2010 at 12:42 am

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.

In a press released, O’Conor said, “NENA has long advocated for a dedicated and recurring funding source to build and operate both wired and wireless public safety broadband systems and networks. On the heels of the FCC’s National Broadband Plan and draft legislation recently introduced in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, yesterday’s White House announcement demonstrates a continuity in thought throughout the Federal Government that public safety broadband must be a national priority, and that a funding source for both the creation and maintenance of these systems and networks must be identified. NENA is committed to working with the Administration, Congress, the FCC, NTIA, and all other public safety stakeholders to ensure that the broadband needs of our nation’s first responders are met.”