A Failure To Communicate

A report released Monday by Common Cause examines the failures of U.S. telecommunications policy that resulted in communications breakdowns all along the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina, and recommends reallocating a portion of our publicly-owned airwaves to public safety and the public good. The report, "A Failure to Communicate: Katrina Pinpoints Dangerous Lapses In our Telecommunications Policy," comes as Congress begins work this week on legislation to expedite the transition to digital television and enhance emergency communications. Loopholes in previous digital television transition bills have prevented public safety interests from gaining access to the airwaves they need to upgrade their communications systems. New legislation is likely to set a "hard deadline" for television stations to return their analog spectrum ­ the airwaves that are considered by many to be "beachfront property." But it remains unclear whether only special interests will benefit when these valuable airwaves are returned. Common Cause and other public interest groups believe a portion of the airwaves should be set aside both for public safety, and to expand access to high-speed Internet to all Americans. Enhanced access to "beachfront" airwaves also requires action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on pending rules to require their more efficient use.
http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=810...{C0FD6E62-C62A-4D94-AC76-E80E0FBABE92}&notoc=1

Read the report at:
http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/{FB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665}/FAILURETOCOMMUNICATE10-14-05.PDF