Lautenberg Joins Chairman Rockefeller to Announce First Responders Network

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) joined Commerce Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV to hail a historic win for America's first responders and the economy. An agreement in the payroll tax deal will provide for the creation of a nationwide, wireless, broadband network for first responders.

"This is a major victory for America's first responders and the safety of our families and communities. The attacks of September 11th demonstrated the need for our police, firefighters, and rescue personnel to have dedicated lines of communication," said Lautenberg, a senior member of the Commerce Committee and original cosponsor of legislation to establish the public safety broadband network. "The 9/11 Commission recommended a nationwide wireless emergency communications network for our first responders, and we are finally going to see it become a reality. New Jersey is home to one of the most at-risk areas for a terrorist attack and it is essential that our first responders be adequately equipped to do their jobs."

"Today is monumental for all Americans and our future safety," Rockefeller said. "Technology and the way we communicate are rapidly changing every day bringing us closer to one another, keeping us in touch in a way like never before, and ultimately improving most people's lives. The ultimate gift technology can give is connecting us in a way that puts safety first. There is truly nothing more important than safety. And for those courageous and selfless first responders that risk their lives to save others every single day, this is the least we can do." Rockefeller continued, "Since 9/11, we have heard from police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel that communicating in a time of crisis is absolutely critical. This agreement will allow us to build a nationwide, interoperable communications network that is as reliable as the first responders that protect us. It will quite literally save lives."

The final public safety spectrum agreement is based on the fundamental framework developed in the public safety spectrum bill approved by the Commerce Committee. The bill has two essential elements. First, it provides public safety with D-Block spectrum for a nationwide, wireless, broadband network. Second, it provides the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with authority to hold new spectrum auctions, including voluntary incentive spectrum auctions.

The Public Safety Spectrum Agreement:

* Provides public safety officials across the country with the same spectrum resource--a portion of the 700 MHz wireless airwaves known as the D-Block--and $7 billion in dedicated funding to get a nationwide, wireless, broadband network using D-Block spectrum up and running;

* Directs the FCC to auction underutilized government spectrum to commercial wireless providers;

* Creates an independent First Responder Network Authority, which will be housed under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, to develop the public safety network;

* Permits state efforts to develop their own networks using the same protocols as the national system;

* Provides up to $300 million for R&D critical for the development of next generation public safety communications; and

* Preserves the opportunity for nationwide unlicensed use of spectrum known as "white spaces" to foster innovative new wireless technologies.

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