Outreach News - 06/09/11

Please remember that Senate passage of S 911 was a step; albeit an important step, in the path to granting the D Block to public safety. There remain two other bills to grant the D Block to public safety which are awaiting Committee action; HR 607 and S. 1040. These bills contain legislation that potentially affects spectrum usage in the UHF band. Public safety needs to remain vigilant and continually follow the lead of their respective organizations in working with their elected representatives for the passage of legislation that funds public safety 700 MHz broadband and provides sufficient spectrum (D Block) for first responders.

The votes from the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee are below. If you are represented by a Senator who voted yes, please thank them for their support. It is even more critical to reach out to the legislators who voted no and ask them to reconsider their support for legislation to support first responder broadband communications.

In the news – D Block Senate success stories.

1. http://www.wirelessweek.com/News/2011/06/Policy-and-Industry-Public-Safety-Bill-Senate-Government/

2. D-block 700 MHz legislation closer to full Senate vote The PSBC is designed to replace the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST) as the licensee for existing public safety's 700 MHz broadband spectrum.

http://www.blackipres.com/06/2011/32411/d-block-700-mhz-legislation-closer-to-full-senate-vote