Next-generation 911 gets $10 billion in spectrum bill

Congress advanced an amendment that would provide billions in funding for next-generation 911, moving one step closer to possibly fulfilling a longstanding wish of the public safety community. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s communications and technology panel voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the Spectrum Innovation Act (H.R. 7624) that would use funding from wireless spectrum auctions to raise $10 billion for next-generation 911, a suite of IP-based technologies that enables 911 call centers to use location data, photos and video. The amendment would also use auction proceeds to shore up an Federal Communications Commission program that reimburses service providers replacing network devices manufactured by Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE, which were blacklisted by the US in 2020. The funding would come from an auction for airwaves in the Lower 3 gigahertz band, which is to be sold to commercial wireless service providers within the next seven years. The Spectrum Innovation Act was introduced as a response to a provision in last year’s infrastructure law calling for greater access to high-speed internet service. "I applaud the Communications and Technology Subcommittee for their leadership on upgrading our nation’s 911 systems and using the auction of our public airwaves to do it," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. "We can take the funds from our next spectrum auction to help make next-generation 911 a reality nationwide."