In July 2010 several U.S. legislators introduced bills pertaining to the FCC’s national broadband plan, the 700 MHz band and the creation of a nationwide public safety wireless network. Both would grant public safety the D Block of spectrum that the FCC has already decided will be re-auctioned at some time in the future.
HR 5907 – Jane Harman (D-CA) introduced the Next Generation Public Safety Device Act of 2010, saying it would, “spur innovation and competition in the development of next generation mobile communications devices that will provide the highest-speed transmission of data, voice, and video services over the Internet for police, firefighters and EMTs at an affordable price. In a press release, Harman said the bill would authorize a $70 million grant competition to develop and build prototype mission critical voice and data-capable handsets and vehicle-portable devices for the 700 MHz spectrum.
Read her press release and full bill text.
S. 3625 – Sen. Jay Rockefeller IV (D-WV) introduced the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, which he says provide public safety with “an additional 10 MHz of spectrum to support a national, interoperable broadband network that will help protect people and keep them from harm.” A companion bill, HR 4992, was introduced in the House.
Read his press release and full bill text.
In June 2010 Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) heard sub-committee testimony about the national broadband plan from several public safety and cellular witnesses. He then wrote a letter to the FCC asking several specific questions about the Commission’s proposed broadband plan. The FCC then wrote back their response, containing several interesting statements on communications gear vendors and other topics. Download (pdf) both documents here.