WASHINGTON-The Senate appropriations subcommittee on homeland security approved President Bush’s request to fund wireless priority service at $73 million in fiscal 2004. The panel passed the homeland security-spending bill Wednesday.
“Wireless technology is a critical tool for our first responders and for key government officials to communicate effectively in emergencies,” said Steven Berry, senior vice president of government affairs at the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association.
The wireless industry credited Senate appropriations subcommittee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and ranking member Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) for championing full funding for wireless priority service.
