Resolution calling on the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign into law the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act (S.911), which amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide public safety providers an additional ten (10) megahertz of spectrum to support a national, interoperable wireless broadband network and authorizes the Federal Communications Commission to hold incentive auctions to provide funding to support such a network.

By Council Members Vallone, James and Williams

Whereas, Many police, fire and medical personnel across the nation still rely on radios with separate voice channels assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); and

Whereas, Police, fire and other first responders could not communicate effectively with one another during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; and

Whereas, The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9/11 Commission) urged Congress to enact legislation that provides for the expedited and increased assignment of radio spectrum for public safety purposes; and

Whereas, In order to ensure that first responders have the resources to communicate in an emergency, Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand are supporting the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act (S.911); and

Whereas, S.911 would allocate ten (10) megahertz of spectrum, known as the “D-block,” to public safety providers; and

Whereas, S.911 creates a “Public Safety Broadband Corporation,” a private nonprofit corporation that would be granted a license for the use of the D-block to develop a nationwide, interoperable, wireless broadband network for public safety and operate it on behalf of public safety users; and

Whereas, S.911 would direct the FCC to establish standards that allow public safety officials, when not using the network, to lease capacity on a secondary, but preemptible, basis to non-public safety entities, including other governmental and commercial users; and

Whereas, S.911 would also provide the FCC with incentive auction authority, which allows existing spectrum licensees to voluntarily relinquish their airwaves in exchange for a portion of the proceeds of the commercial auction of their spectrum; and

Whereas, The funds from these incentive auctions, in conjunction with funds from the auction of other specified spectrum bands, and funds earned from leasing the public safety network on a secondary basis would be used to build and maintain a nationwide, interoperable, wireless broadband public safety network; and

Whereas, Surplus revenue from spectrum auctions would be directed to the United States Treasury to reduce the deficit; and

Whereas, Such an increase in radio spectrum for public safety purposes would assist the City as it enhances its communication abilities among first responding agencies; and

Whereas, S.911 promotes the efficient use of our nation’s airwaves; and

Whereas, S.911 would ensure that our first responders have access to the airwaves they need when tragedy strikes; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign into law the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act (S.911), which amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide public safety providers an additional ten (10) megahertz of spectrum to support a national, interoperable wireless broadband network and authorizes the Federal Communications Commission to hold incentive auctions to provide funding to support such a network.

CG
8/22/11
LS #2347