FCC’s spectrum-auction lapse stalls next-generation 911 funding

The Federal Communications Commission’s recent lapse in authority to auction off wireless spectrum has members of the House of Representatives concerned about the US's ability to stay competitive in a global wireless market. It has others concerned that the upgrade to next-generation 911 just lost its primary funding source. The Senate recently declined to vote on the House’s Spectrum Innovation Act, a bill that would have funneled spectrum fees into numerous initiatives, including $10 billion for upgrading aging 911 systems. The Senate’s also failed to take action on any other bill that extended either the FCC’s ability to license wireless spectrum or the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) power to arbitrate spectrum holdings. The recent lapse marks the first time in three decades since the FCC was granted the power to auction off wireless spectrum for commercial uses. A full upgrade to next-generation 911, which the federal government in 2018 estimated could cost as much as $12.7 billion, promises to equip the nation’s thousands of public safety answering points with digital technology, replacing the analog systems widely used today. The ability to send and receive photos, video, text, and location data, while also seamlessly handling call transfers across jurisdictions, are key features promised by the new technology.