Good morning. I’d like to thank the witnesses for testifying today on this very important issue. I commend Chairman Markey for holding this important hearing.
The topic of our hearing today is “Spectrum Opportunities and the Future of Wireless.” I think we’d all agree that the explosion of wireless services and devices is nothing short of amazing, and the wireless industry has revolutionized the way that we communicate. I also believe that Congress has taken some critically important strides in spectrum policy which will help fuel the continued explosion, not to mention greatly advance the cause of public safety communications.
As a Member coming from a diverse district, I understand the incredible opportunity that the 700 MHz auction presents. The technical properties of the 700 MHz spectrum make it particularly valuable when it comes to serving rural areas. Carriers can use this technology to cover large geographic areas in a more economical way -- enabling them to serve regions, like Southwest Michigan, where customers may be spread out over a large geographic area. Between those benefits and the benefits that will come from the 24 MHz and $1 billion for public safety, we can not allow other factors to delay or sideline that auction and transition.
The horrible tragedy that occurred earlier this week at Virginia Tech further demonstrates the important role wireless technology can play in times of crisis. This heartbreaking tragedy has given us yet another reason and another example for why we must make the spectrum auction a success. There are lessons to be learned from the tragedy this week, and some of them speak directly to our hearing today. I would like our witnesses to address in their testimony – and I will ask – how they think we can better use wireless services to directly and swiftly notify students or other large populations about threats to their safety. Technology currently exists for as little as $2 per year per student for a text message based emergency warning system.
During a disaster, there are many important “life-lines” of communications, all of which are all instrumental in relaying important information and hopefully saving lives. One “life-line” comes from the communication
between first responders. Another “life-line” comes from our local broadcasters delivering important public safety messages over the radio or TV. And a third “life-line” comes from the direct communication, often by cell phone, or email, or text message, between the people on the scene and their friends, family, and loved ones. It is so important that in a disaster all three of these “life-lines” can be used simultaneously as redundant layers.
I am aware that proposals have been made to combine the first responder network with a commercial broadband network. While I remain open minded and look forward to hearing the testimony, I am highly skeptical of proposals to rig the auction for particular parties. The proposals are very complex, and the odds that the government finds the right balance in advance on such a tight timeframe in not necessarily good.
After 10 years of legislation, planning, hearings, roundtables, and negotiations which culminated in the passage of the DTV Act, I am very concerned about eleventh hour calls for 700 MHz service rules that may significantly lower the value of the spectrum in the eyes of potential bidders, thereby depressing interest in the bidding and jeopardizing auction proceeds for the $1 billion public safety interoperability grant program and the $1.5 billion set-top-box program.
While the proposals may have the best intentions and promise to give First Responders preferred access in times of need, the better course may be to let public safety negotiate with the winners of the auction, or any other spectrum holder, for construction of a public safety network in exchange for sharing of the public safety program. It’s not clear why the government should be hardwiring particular business models into the auction rules at the outset.
Again, I think all the witnesses for their time today and I look forward to your testimony.
