The Payroll Tax Extension legislation recently passed by the U. S. Congress includes funding for a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network that will, for the first time, allow law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs to have a dedicated communications network so they can talk with one another. The legislation allocates the 700 MHz D Block spectrum to first responders, and it provides $7 billion in federal grant money for the deployment the network.
This morning, the House of Representatives voted 293-132 in favor of the measure, followed shortly by a 60-36 vote in the Senate to approve the bill, which was the product of House-Senate conference committee negotiations during the last two months. President Barack Obama has vowed to sign the legislation into law shortly after returning from a West Coast trip.
While the focal point of the legislation is to extend the payroll-tax cut and unemployment benefits, the measure includes spectrum-policy language designed to make more airwaves available to commercial wireless operator via FCC auctions — a significant revenue source for the bill — and to address public-safety broadband needs.
Media reports:
Urgent Communications: Congress passes D Block legislation (17 FEB 12)
Urgent Communications: Payroll-tax deal includes D Block, billions for public safety (16 FEB 12)
Background information:
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
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