McCain backs Cyren Call plan

The battle is joined.
Cyren Call Communications Corp. and the nation’s first responders found a big-time lawmaker to champion legislation that would redirect 30 megahertz of auction-bound spectrum in the 700 MHz band for a nationwide public-safety broadband network. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he will introduce the legislation, which could stand as a major homeland security issue to aid his 2008 presidential aspirations.
“The federal government has made strides in developing a comprehensive, interoperable emergency communications plan, establishing equipment standards, funding the purchase of emergency and interoperable communications equipment, and belatedly making additional radio spectrum available. But none of this is enough. We must do more,” said McCain, a powerful legislator who is one of the frontrunners for the Republican presidential nomination.
McCain’s proposed bill, based on a Cyren Call plan rejected by the Federal Communications Commission last November, would set aside 30 megahertz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band for a public-safety broadband trust to oversee. The nationwide wireless network would be built by the private sector and shared on a priority basis with first responders.
“It is now time to think big and bold and solve the interoperability crisis once and for all. We are at a watershed moment where we can provide more of the 700 MHz spectrum to solve our national public-safety communications crisis and greatly enhance our emergency preparedness. If we do not act now, this valuable spectrum will be auctioned off and this opportunity will be lost forever,” McCain said.
The 30 megahertz is half of a highly valuable swath of airwaves being returned by TV broadcasters as part of their transition to digital technology. Congress ordered the total 60 megahertz of spectrum-estimated to be worth $12.5 billion-to be auctioned by this time next year. Public safety advocates say they can contribute $5 billion to the U.S. Treasury by using revenues from commercial users and through the assistance of federal loan guarantees like those previously made available to airline, shipping, pipelines and automotive industries.
The 30 megahertz in McCain’s bill would supplement 24 megahertz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band already headed public safety’s way. The FCC is attempting to craft a broadband public safety solution within the 24 megahertz.
“I fought for many years to clear the 700 MHz spectrum for first responders and now that there is a firm date for the availability of this spectrum, we should ensure that enough spectrum is being provided to first responders,” said McCain. “That is why I support the allocation to public safety and the creation of a public safety broadband trust and will introduce legislation in the near future to provide this spectrum to these valiant police officers, fire fighters, sheriffs and other first responders.”
The 9/11 Commission’s Final Report identified communications failings immediately following the 2001 terrorist attacks and recommended more radio frequencies for first responders.
The injection of additional spectrum for first responders and the creation of a public-safety broadband trust are supported by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major Counties Sheriffs Association, the National Sheriffs Association, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, the Western Fire Chiefs Association and others.
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials said it supports McCain’s proposed bill.
The mobile phone industry and high-tech giants oppose any legislative move that reduces the amount of 700 MHz spectrum scheduled for auction in the next 12 months. Major telecom service providers and vendors have begun a lobbying campaign to counter changes now publicly embraced by McCain.
“The basic facts of the matter should compel this important debate to be about providing first responders with funding, access to equipment and coordination, not more spectrum,” said Jot Carpenter, vice president for government affairs at cellphone association CTIA.
Carpenter said the bill is overkill and ill conceived.
“Right now, the public-service community utilizes 47 megahertz of spectrum to serve its public-safety users,” said Carpenter. “At the same time, there are wireless carriers that use roughly the same amount of spectrum to deliver voice, data and advanced information services to many times that number of subscribers. More spectrum is clearly not the answer.”
Mobile phone carriers have offered various public-private alternatives to Cyren Call’s public-safety broadband model.
“We believe first responders need and can build a 21st century network with the existing allocation of spectrum and we intend to continue to work with all members of Congress to help make that a reality,” said Carpenter.