WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today joined her colleagues in the House Homeland Security Committee to examine the state of public safety communications, evaluate the progress that has been made since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and identify remaining shortfalls. In addition, the members discussed the auction of the D Block, the need for a national interoperable public safety wireless broadband network, the National Broadband Plan and the coordination between Federal, State and local partners. Miller is a cosponsor of the Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011 (H.R.607) legislation that will strengthen the communications capabilities of America’s first responders by reallocating the D Block communications spectrum to public safety.

“Ensuring that America’s first responders have all the resources needed to meet their mission is vitally important,” said Miller. “One of the ways to utilizing technology as a way to streamline emergency responses is through allocation of the D Block. By deploying and providing access to this technology, our first responders will be able to utilize the D Block communications spectrum to develop a wireless broadband network and allow for a more coordinated public safety response.”

The Broadband for First Responders Act is comprehensive, addressing not only spectrum allocation, but also funding for the construction of a public safety network and governance. Funding for the construction of the network will come from auction of globally homogenized Advanced Wireless Services spectrum. Under this legislation, there will be a single licensee for the full 20 MHz of public safety broadband spectrum.

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