BACKGROUND: THE 700 MHz SPECTRUM IS CRITICAL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

A 700 MHz public safety nationwide broadband wireless network supporting both broadband voice and data will enhance interoperability in public safety emergencies requiring a multi-jurisdictional response. The September 2009 Draft of the National Broadband Plan calls for an eventual converged broadband voice and data network for public safety as a strategic goal. This vision will never be realized without a commitment by the Federal government to allocate the 700 MHz D Block to public safety now. Auctioning the D block is shortsighted as it precludes this possibility.

Public safety needs additional broadband spectrum for both current and future technologies such as streaming video, automated license plate recognition, biometric technologies including mobile fingerprint and iris identification. The 700 MHz band is ideal for public safety as it provides superior coverage and in-building performance compared to higher frequency bands. Public safety needs to control this spectrum as it is the only way to guarantee that it will be available in an emergency. Many incidents have occurred where the commercial wireless companies could not or would not provide the bandwidth needed during an emergency.

The existing public safety 700 MHz spectrum allocation is inadequate to support public safety requirements. The D Block spectrum is crucial because it is adjacent to the existing public safety broadband allocation. Combining the existing public safety 700 MHz spectrum with the D block will simplify network design and deployment and will reduce handset costs. A single wireless broadband network combining the D Block and the adjacent public safety 700 MHz spectrum is the only logical choice to satisfy public safety broadband wireless spectrum requirements.