Making dramatic improvements to interoperable communications was an important finding of the 9/11 Commission’s report. ICMA and its Big 7 partners endorsed the creation of an interoperable public safety broadband communications network that supports the increased need for data and video communications for police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. The first step towards the accomplishment of this goal was realized in February 2012 with the allocation of the 10-MHz D-block segment of the 700-MHz radio spectrum. 

The Big 7 and various public safety interest groups asked Congress to pass legislation that allocates the D-block directly to public safety rather than auctioning off the spectrum to a telecommunications bidder, as the Federal Communications Commission had planned to do. In February 2012 Congress passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, which allocated the D-Block to state and local public safety. 

issue History

Public safety currently holds 10-MHz of radio spectrum for interoperable broadband communications. As technologies improve and more data and video communication is needed by first responders, it has become apparent that an additional 10-MHz is required. This is where the D-block segment comes in. Broad public and private sector support exists for allocating the D-block segment of the radio spectrum to public safety.

The other side of the D-block issue centers around revenue generated through an auction to telecommunications bidders, which is evidenced in the FCC plan below.  In 2008, the D-block failed to sell at auction, due in part to a condition of sale that required a minimum bid of $1.3 billion.

The Obama administration has expressed its desire to allocate the D-block directly to public safety. According to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano in her "State of Homeland Security" address on January 27, 2011,

"As the President announced in his State of the Union, the so-called "D Block" of communications spectrum will be set aside for public safety, so we will work with first responders on the standards and requirements for interoperability of vital communications equipment during times of crisis."

The allocation of the D-block to public safety was included in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. The legislation provides for:

• The allocation of the 700-megaherz spectrum (D-block) to state and local public safety
• Incentive auctions of other portions of spectrum to provide up to $7 billion in funding for the planning and construction of the interoperable network
• The creation of the First Responder Network Authority, which will be housed within the NTIA and and will oversee the network development.

ICMA AND BIG 7 OUTREACH

ICMA supported its Big 7 partners in their efforts to lobby for the allocation of the D-block to public safety by signing on to policy letters and attending meetings and Congressional briefings on the issue. 

• Letter to Congressional leadership urging passage of S. 911 (July 2011)
• Letter to House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, urging the reallocation of the D-block to public safety. (June 2010)
• Letter to House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet asking for opposition to the D-block auction. (April 2010)

Legislative Activity

The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012

Summary of House and Senate D-block bills (from U.S. Conference of Mayors)