Legislator Promotes Discussison on D Block Bill

The years-long legislative process to assign wireless spectrum to public safety for a nationwide network may be nearing a phase that feels like conclusion. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) has introduced a discussion draft of legislation that would make the 20 MHz spectrum assignment, fund up to $10 billion to create the wireless network, create thousands of jobs and reduce the federal deficit by $15 billion. The Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum (JOBS) Act of 2011 legislation is the latest of several attempts to gain control of the spectrum, which Congress originally intended to be auctioned to the highest bidder in 2008. However, when no bids were received that met the minimum price, the spectrum has been in limbo every since. Public safety officials had hoped that the recent “super committee” budget negotiations would include spectrum solutions, but the committee announced last week that it had failed to reach agreement on any budget matters. Yesterday, in a press release announcing the legislative draft intended to promote discussion of the issues, Walden said, “Congress has an obligation to give America’s wireless industry the tools it needs to do what it does best: innovate and create the kinds of jobs that will keep America’s economy competitive in the 21st century.” He acknowledged that, “No party, special interest, or lobby gets everything they want in this legislation.” But he reminded legislators of the important goals of jobs, public safety and deficit reduction. Typically, discussion drafts of legislation lead to a final proposed bill, which then follows the usual path through Congress. The process of adopting the bill could take many months. Download (pdf) the bill and other materials, and read public safety’s reaction after the break.

Here is the press release that Rep. Walden issued in connection with the discussion draft:

Walden unveils Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum Act

WASHINGTON, DC– House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) today unveiled the Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum (JOBS) Act of 2011. The JOBS Act will advance wireless broadband service, spur billions of dollars in private investment, create thousands of jobs, help bring interoperable broadband communications to public safety officials, and reduce the deficit by approximately $15 billion. The legislation is the culmination of five hearings and extensive bipartisan negotiations to use voluntary incentive auctions to make more efficient and effective use of the public’s airwaves and support establishment of a nationwide, interoperable, broadband public safety network. Walden issued the following statement:

“It’s time to unleash the full potential of America’s most innovative job-creating sector. Congress has an obligation to give America’s wireless industry the tools it needs to do what it does best: innovate and create the kinds of jobs that will keep America’s economy competitive in the 21st century.

“Following nearly a year of hearings, meetings, and negotiations, I am disappointed that we could not develop a bipartisan bill. But for the sake of the economy and public safety, we need to take the best ideas, which are represented in the JOBS Act, and move forward with a subcommittee vote on Thursday. No party, special interest, or lobby gets everything they want in this legislation. But for the American people, it delivers on three important goals for the country: job creation, a nationwide public safety network, and deficit reduction.

“During a visit to Silicon Valley earlier this month, I met with job creators in the industry who made it clear that Congress must act to clear the market to unleash the potential of wireless broadband. The JOBS Act of 2011 authorizes incentive auctions that will spur economic growth and job creation in an industry that impacts the daily lives of nearly every American business, consumer, and citizen.

“Everyone shares the goal of creating a nationwide, interoperable public safety network on spectrum dedicated for that purpose. The JOBS Act of 2011 would give the public safety sector the contiguous 20-MHz block of spectrum they have asked for, along with up to $6.5 billion to build an interoperable public safety network that Americans deserve.

“Finally, at a time when Americans expect their government to stick to a budget—just like every business and family must do—the JOBS Act of 2011 provides for approximately $15 billion in deficit reduction for the taxpayer.

“Congress has a unique opportunity to deliver on multiple fronts for the American people. The JOBS Act of 2011 delivers job creation, dedicated public safety spectrum, and deficit reduction at a time when the country could use a good boost in all three areas.”

The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) issued the following press release:

CALL-TO-ACTION

WE NEED YOUR HELP TODAY!

PLEASE CONTACT REPRESENTATIVES FRED UPTON AND GREG WALDEN AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT D BLOCK ALLOCATION, $10 BILLION IN FUNDING FOR A NATIONWIDE PUBLIC SAFETY BROADBAND NETWORK, AND TO OPPOSE ANY GIVE-BACK OF PUBLIC SAFETY’S EXISTING 700 MHz NARROWBAND SPECTRUM

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology announced that on Thursday, December 1st it will consider a draft entitled, Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum (JOBS) Act of 2011, which would auction spectrum through incentive-based and other means to cut the deficit, create jobs and build out and support the creation of a nationwide, interoperable, public safety broadband network.

Please urge all of your friends, family and colleagues within your state to contact Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden and tell them that…

Any bill they consider must include the following provisions:

1. Allocate the D Block spectrum to public safety for broadband. (The current draft of the JOBS Act includes this language.)
2. Provide at least $7 – $10 billion in funding at no additional taxpayer cost by using proceeds of other spectrum auctions to finance the build out of the network. ( The current JOBS Act only guarantees $5-$6.5 billion.)
3. Establish an appropriate governance structure that provides majority representation on the board from public safety and state and local government. (The current draft of the JOBS Act does not provide a majority of seats to public safety.)

Additionally, the bill should not include the following provision:

1. Urge these two Members of Congress to oppose any language that would require public safety to give back 700 MHz narrowband spectrum. (Ask them to support the deletion of Section 102 of the current draft of this JOBS Act!)

Please take this opportunity to call your Member of Congress and ask them to support public safety and our first responders. Thank you for your service and your commitment to advancing public safety communications by supporting APCO International on this most critical matter.

Sincerely
Gregg Riddle, President