Holder Pledges To Help Resolve Public Safety Spectrum Dispute

Attorney General Eric Holder said that trying to resolve the dispute over what should be done with a chunk of spectrum that public safety officials want to use for an interoperable public safety broadband network and the Federal Communications Commission wants to auction is one of his department's top priorities.

In a speech to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which along with other public safety groups has called for Congress to reallocate the D-block spectrum for public safety use, AG Holder said the Justice Department has "facilitated a series of discussions concerning the public safety broadband network, including the future of the D-block." He said the department, working with the relevant stakeholders, has been trying to "determine a path forward" to make sure the "communication needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement are met." AG Holder added, "This is a Cabinet-level priority. It is a Justice Department priority. And I will continue to advocate for meaningful, affordable access to radio spectrum when and where you need it. This continues to be a personal priority for me."