CITIES FACE FCC RESISTANCE, VERIZON SUPPORT ON GETTING 700 MHZ SPECTRUM

摘要

The New York Police Department is working for a rule provision to clear the way for the FCC to give it access to 700 MHz spectrum for its local wireless broadband network. Deputy Chief Charles Dowd made the rounds at the FCC following his testimony to a House subcommittee on the D-block. However, agency sources said Friday, Chairman Kevin Martin opposes the proposal, as does Public Safety Bureau Chief Derek Poarch. Verizon Wireless endorsed the department's calls for giving public safety agencies and municipalities direct control of the 700 MHz D-block. Verizon Wireless discussed its evolving stance on the D-block in an ex parte filing at the FCC reporting on a meeting with Commissioner Deborah Tate. nn" Verizon Wireless agrees with the positions of the New York City Police Department and the cities of Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., that the adoption of advanced broadband technologies by public safety will yield considerable benefits," the carrier said. "That outcome can best be achieved by licensing the 700 MHz spectrum on a regional basis, and providing local jurisdictions with control over how the spectrum is used and how partnerships are formed." Verizon Wireless said its position on the issue is consistent with its stance in previous filings. However, the most recent filing is the first that directly endorses New York's proposal for assigning the spectrum directly to local governments like New York.