The House of Representatives overwhelming passed spectrum relocation legislation, a major boost for industry efforts to secure military frequencies for third-generation wireless systems. “This is a big win for consumers and for government-spectrum users. The legislation ensures that sufficient airwaves will be available to support millions of wireless users, who are increasing their use of wireless voice and adopting wireless data at record speed. It also offers government incumbents, especially the Department of Defense, the whole package-sufficient funding for relocation and a clear plan for a smooth transition into alternative bands of spectrum,” said Steven Berry, senior vice president of government affairs for the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. Bipartisan companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate.
The Defense Department said it supports the spectrum review announced June 5 by the Bush administration, but stressed that military wireless requirements are increasing in modern-day warfare. After the White House spectrum announcement, CTIA said it was assured the administration action would not impact plans to transfer military spectrum to mobile-phone carriers for 3G systems. But DoD strongly hinted the 3G-spectrum issue could still be in play.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) said she plans to introduce legislation to integrate wireless and Internet technologies into the nation’s emergency warning system. Maloney wrote Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to urge the department to establish a comprehensive emergency alert system that takes full advantage of new communications technologies to better inform and guide the public during national disasters. Text messaging is one of various technologies put forward to deliver wireless emergency alerts. An industry group advising the Federal Communications Commission and the non-profit Partnership for Public Warning also advocate modernizing the nation’s Emergency Alert System, which is limited to radio, television and cable TV communications.
