Jay Rockefeller: “On behalf of myself and Senator Baucus, I wish to state that title VI of the conference report to H.R. 3630, the Middle…”

“On behalf of myself and Senator Baucus, I wish to state that title VI of the conference report to H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, contains landmark bipartisan legislation that more than 10 years after 9/11 will provide police, firefighters, and other first responders with a nationwide, interoperable wireless broadband network for public safety. This legislation will also help ease the Nation's growing spectrum shortage, through the auction of new spectrum to commercial providers. Revenues from these spectrum auctions will fund the public safety network--and contribute $15.2 billion to the unemployment compensation fund. Specifically, Title VI of the conference report provides $7 billion in spectrum auction proceeds as well as D-Block spectrum worth $2.75 billion to develop a nationwide, interoperable wireless broadband network for public safety officials through a new First Responder Network Authority. The title also directs the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, to auction underutilized spectrum and provides the agency with authority to hold voluntary incentive auctions. These auctions are expected to raise more than $25 billion in revenue. In addition, the title authorizes the FCC to create guard bands in the broadcast spectrum that can be used for innovative new unlicensed uses like Super Wi-Fi. These efforts will help meet the growing spectrum demands of smartphones and tablets.…”