WASHINGTON-Before Congress left town, two members lent their support to allocate spectrum for private wireless use.
The private wireless industry has been urging the Federal Communications Commission to allocate six megahertz as part of the spectrum made available with the transition to digital TV. The government is transitioning channels 60-69 (746-806 MHz) from TV use to other areas. Twenty-four megahertz was allocated for public-safety use, and 36 megahertz is expected to be auctioned for commercial purposes.
Reps. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) and John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), ranking member of the House Commerce Committee, each wrote letters to FCC Chairman William Kennard urging that six megahertz be set aside for private use as part of a guard band for the public-safety spectrum that already has been allocated.
