We urge the Senate to pass legislation that includes D Block allocation to public safety with sufficient funding to expedite nationwide construction of the public safety broadband network that includes rural America, and does not include damaging provisions to require 700 MHz narrowband giveback, nor an unworkable and unaccountable private entity “administrator” governance model. Additionally, the PSA urges the Senate to maximize state and local flexibility in allowing enhanced “secondary use” of the public safety broadband network by non-public safety entities and users, as well as with respect to forming public and private partnerships that best meet their specific needs to assure sustainment of their mission-critical public safety broadband systems. In sum, the PSA strongly believes that S.911 best provides these priorities, and we urge you together as the Senate’s leadership to replace the Walden JOBS Act provisions that compose Title IV of H.R. 3630 with language similar to S. 911 for Senate passage of the overall bill. Click here to download the full letter.
The 112th Congress is considering the passage of several bills on D-Block wireless communication that would allocate a specific broadband spectrum to public safety, designating this bandwidth for law enforcement use - and finally creating the truly interoperable communications network that law enforcement and emergency responders have needed for decades. We understand that Congress may take action on this important legislation prior to the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Nothing could be more appropriate than marking this solemn anniversary by making a genuine commitment to public safety communication, for this and future generations.
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