House Democrats Introduce New Public Safety Broadband Network Bill

Displeased with efforts by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced a new spectrum bill “to create nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network and spur wireless innovation.”

Representatives Henry A. Waxman, from Energy and Commerce and Anna G. Eshoo, of the Communications and Technology Committee announced that “the ‘Wireless Innovation and Public Safety Act of 2011’ would also provide the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with incentive auction authority to efficiently and responsibly repurpose broadcast spectrum for commercial broadband purposes and unlicensed innovation.”

According to Waxman, in early October, Republicans refused to allow Democratic input on a bill to repurpose publicly owned airwaves, and the Democrats fashioned their own legislation.

The Waxman bill is similar to the proposed Republican legislation in that both include auctions of broadcast spectrum and both apportion the so-called D-block to public-safety agencies. But there is a difference between the two. Said one report, “…the Democratic version allows the FCC to designate some television broadcaster spectrum for unlicensed use.” Internet companies favor unlicensed spectrum to be used for Wi-Fi and similar broadcast technologies.

The Democrats have lined up organizations from the Consumer Federation to the National Governors Association in support of their version. Nonetheless, Waxman held out hope for bipartisan agreement, saying “I hope our Republican colleagues will join with us to pass this legislation and send it to the White House.”

Energy and Commerce Democrats Release New Legislation (committee press release, Nov. 28, 2011)

House Dems introduce own spectrum bill, say Republicans shut them out (The Hill, Nov. 29, 2011)