This week Representatives Eshoo and Waxman introduced the Wireless Innovation and Public Safety Act of 2011, which is designed to create a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network and to provide the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with incentive auction authority to repurpose broadcast spectrum and fund the creation of the interoperable public safety broadband network.
Included in this legislation is a grant program for local governments that will support the implementation of Next Generation 911 services. This grant program would provide $250,000,000 over five years for local governments to upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1 services by enabling the delivery of voice, text, photos, video, and other data to 9-1-1 call centers.
House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden also unveiled related legislation, the Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum (JOBS) Act of 2011, this week. House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans and Democrats are negotiating to potentially reach consensus on the legislation.
Amanda Wood
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