Why 700?
The DTV transition keeps creating more and more issues. Among other things, the idea was that last year's DTV bill would clear 24 MHz of spectrum for interoperable public safety communications and allow the auctioning off of other spectrum — potentially bringing in billions of dollars.
This spectrum is in the 700 MHz range. So Congress is targeting funding to pay for emergency radios in that range. And the FCC is looking for comments (PDF) on their planned “Implementation of a Nationwide, Broadband, Interoperable Public Safety Network in the 700MHz Band.”
But there are many interesting wrinkles here. According to the Associated Press, Mayor Bloomberg told Congress on Monday that they shouldn't be targeting emergency radio funding at the 700 MHz range. He's pointing out that NYC has been using 400 MHz (penetrates building and tunnels better than 700 MHz) and has invested a lot — and should be supported.
Here's a good LightReading background piece — note particularly the petition by Cyren Call (more details here) seeking to have only commercial wireless operators and public safety entities sharing the whole swath of spectrum that is now scheduled to be auctioned off. It looks as if the wireless carriers want to get their hooks into this spectrum by arguing for a privatized public safety network.
Lots going on here.
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