Telecom carriers continue push for "D-block" auction

Backers of a stagnant Federal Communications Commission proposal for finally providing a cutting-edge communications network for emergency responders continue their 11th-hour push, arguing that the plan is the only viable option in today's economic reality.

A coalition of telecom carriers, and now a few police and firefighter organizations, is lobbying the FCC to resurrect its plan to auction off 10 megahertz of communications spectrum known as the "D-block" and use the proceeds to help fund the construction of an emergency network. To that end, the group, called Connect Public Safety Now brought in former FEMA Director James Witt to call on lawmakers to give the FCC proposal another look.