The FCC should ensure that spectrum already allocated to public s...

is allocated for public safety communication, including 24 MHz in the 700 MHz band occupied by broadcasters pending resolution of the DTV transition,” Lenard said, suggesting that more spectrum doesn’t guarantee better service. “Given the large amount of spectrum already allocated to public safety agencies and its high opportunity cost, an extra dollar spent on other inputs, including new equipment and additional public safety personnel, is likely to yield far more in terms of improving the emergency response effort than an extra dollar’s worth of spectrum,” he said. Lenard urged the FCC to “propertize” the public safety spectrum, using the market to allocate spectrum rights. “A market-based system of flexible-use, resalable licenses should not be restricted to private-sector uses,” he said. Because emergencies are rare, he said “much of the public safety spectrum undoubtedly is unused most of the time. Given the value of spectrum, this is extremely costly.” Lenard said giving public safety licensees expanded property rights in licenses they already hold would encourage them to “explore creative new cooperative relationships with the private sector to obtain needed new technologies in exchange for granting usage rights to their excess spectrum.” Such arrangements, he said, would “constitute a significant new revenue source, providing resources to upgrade communications equipment and perhaps fund a range of public safety activities,” while retaining the rights to use the necessary spectrum in emergencies. Lenard’s comments came as the FCC gathers data to assess the spectrum needs of federal, state and local emergency response providers. The review was ordered by the 2004 Intelligence Reform & Terrorism Prevention Act. The Commission’s report on the results is due to Congress by Dec. 17. “Additional spectrum for emergency response providers is definitely needed” and should be in the 700 MHz band, adjacent to the existing public safety band, said the National Emergency Management Assn. (NEMA). FCC loopholes let broadcasters stay in that band indefinitely, NEMA said. “This has compelled some states to purchase radios that work in both the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands,” NEMA said: “Keeping any additional bandwidth adjacent to the current spectrum will allow those states to use equipment that they've invested in and currently own.” The Fla. Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) said Congress should consider allocating more spectrum at 700 MHz to meet short- and long-term needs. The 700 MHz band is best for an advanced statewide communications system supporting highway safety, FDOT said. Given “overwhelming benefits to be gained from operation in this band,” FDOT said it’s “willing to wait a reasonable time” for incumbent TV operations to be cleared. But “any timetable much beyond the contemplated December 31, 2006 objective for clearing the band of TV operations will severely strain the operations of FDOT and other Florida emergency response providers,” FDOT said.