Rare Name-Calling in D-Block Spectrum Debate

A coalition of public safety associations and groups has raised the volume of debate over federal plans to auction a portion of the 700 MHz spectrum, saying that cellular carriers who oppose the project are “blantantly” misrepresenting themselves as guardians of public safety. In a press release, the Public Safety Alliance (PSA) denounced today’s press conference by the 4G Coalition, whose campaign to support the D-Block spectrum auction is called “Connect Public Safety Now.” The PSA called the campaign a “disingenuous marketing effort,” and vowed to expose the Coalition’s claims to be operating in the interests of public safety. The PSA is composed of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and seven other public safety groups, and backs an alternate plan to directly assign the D-Block of 700 MHz spectrum directly to public safety. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has recommended that the D Block be auctioned to commercial carriers who would, in turn, operate a nationwide public safety network.

In today’s press release, the PSA reiterated the “overwhelming and diverse national public safety organizational support” for the direct allocation of spectrum. APCO president William Carrow said, “It is clear to us that T-Mobile, Sprint-Nextel and a narrow coalition of well-financed business interests have made a conscious decision to oppose the professional judgment of an overwhelming majority of our nation’s first responders and state and local government officials.”

The PSA said the Coalition’s press conference would be attended by, “former dignitaries who do not represent public safety or state and local government response interests on this issue.” The group also said its members, “vigorously object to the blatant misrepresentation that ‘Connect Public Safety Now’ in any way is crafted for the benefit of public safety, or the public it serves.”

The 4G Coalition event featured former FEMA director James Lee Witt, who invoked the threat of terrorism, and said, “We have no time to waste” to build a public safety radio network for first responders. Download (pdf) the PSA’s press release here, and surf the Connect Public Safety Now Web site.

Update: Wireless industry analyst Andrew Seybold has posted his viewpoint on the 4G Coalition, saying they are “not your friend,” and saying the group is “late to the party” on the issue of the D Block. He called the group’s press conference “embarassing” and those who appeared at the conference as “hired guns” who don’t understand public safety’s wireless requirements. Read his full remarks here.