A Federal Communication Commission recommendation to auction a swath of 700 megahertz spectrum for commercial use with priority access for first responders received criticism April 9 from the National Governors Association.

In a letter to the FCC, Governors Martin O'Malley (D-Md.) and Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) urged the agency on behalf of the association to revise the commission's recently released National Broadband Plan, where the recommendation was made, so the spectrum is dedicated entirely over to public safety.

"Allowing first responders roaming and priority access on other 700 MHz commercial broadband networks for a fee is not sufficient because it adds cost and complexity to their communications," they wrote.

The FCC attempted to auction 700 MHz spectrum--so-called "D block" spectrum--in 2008 to create a public-private nationwide public safety broadband network, but couldn't find a buyer.

The National Broadband Plan envisions selling to the private sector an upper portion of the 700 MHz band, but stipulates that public safety users could enter into a spectrum sharing agreement with public safety users. During emergencies, first responders would gain priority roaming access to the D block should first responder networks be loaded to capacity. Both private sector and public safety licensees would have to operate the D block using LTE standards.

The plan would require new communication devices capable of operating across portions of 700 MHz spectrum already dedicated to public safety and the D block--another point of O'Malley's and Pawlenty's criticism, since they don't exist.

"Removing the D block as the designated spectrum for public safety officials does not adequately meet public safety needs," they added.

For more:
- read the National Governors Association letter
- see the FCC's National Broadband Plan (Chapter 16 deals with public safety)

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