Sen. McCain To Back Measure To Create Public Safety Network

SEN MCCAIN TO BACK MEASURE TO CREATE PUBLIC SAFETY NETWORK
[SOURCE: Congress Daily, AUTHOR: Peter Cohn]
As he ramps up his 2008 presidential campaign and courts backing from public safety groups, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) plans to introduce legislation that would create a nationwide communications network for police officers, firefighters and other emergency first responders. The move coincides with Senate floor debate on a bill to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 commission. Sen McCain argues his measure would address other deficiencies the panel identified. His bill would carve out a swath of radio spectrum that is scheduled for auction next January, and license it to a "public safety broadband trust" to provide advanced wireless services for first responders to communicate during crises. Public safety groups back his approach. But it has caused alarm among wireless service providers and equipment manufacturers, in part because the idea is similar to a proposal Cyren Call Communications -- a plan they say would cripple the upcoming auction and delay the transition to digital television.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-TVTI1172498530094.html