House Commerce Democrats Release New Legislation to Create Nationwide, Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Network and Spur Wireless Innovation

Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Commerce Committee, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and other Democratic members of the Committee announced plans to introduce legislation that would create a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network.

The “Wireless Innovation and Public Safety Act of 2011” would also provide the Federal Communications Commission with incentive auction authority to efficiently and responsibly repurpose broadcast spectrum for commercial broadband purposes and unlicensed innovation. The legislation reallocates the D Block spectrum for public safety use. In addition, it promotes efficient spectrum use by enabling sharing of public safety network spectrum and infrastructure to facilitate interoperability among agencies responding to emergencies and promote public/private partnerships to speed network deployment. The legislation would establish a private, non-profit entity, the Public Safety Broadband Corporation, as the national governance vehicle for ensuring fiscal responsibility and accountability. The legislation also directs the Commission to identify and auction approximately 250 MHz of spectrum to be made available for commercial mobile broadband. Proceeds from the auctions will be deposited into the Public Safety Trust Fund. The legislation also provides the FCC with the flexibility to preserve unlicensed spectrum in the TV band. Unlicensed spectrum in the TV band will enable innovators and entrepreneurs to develop applications and services like, super Wi-Fi hotspots, which will drive new economic opportunity and job creation. The legislation also gives the FCC incentive auction authority to compensate licensees for voluntary relinquishment of their spectrum usage rights.

The original cosponsors of the “Wireless Innovation and Public Safety Act of 2011” are Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, Rep. Edward J. Markey, Rep. Mike Doyle, Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Donna M. Christensen, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., Rep. Diana DeGette, Rep. Eliot Engel, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky.

Groups in support of the legislation include the Public Safety Alliance, the National Governors Association, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, the International City/County Management Association, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer’s Union, Public Knowledge, the New America Foundation, Free Press, Media Access Project, and the National Emergency Number Association.