WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Committee hearing today on
building a nationwide public safety network, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
(R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee, said America’s first responders must have access to 21st
century wireless communications.
“It is vital for America’s first responders to have the best
equipment available in order to protect the public in times of crisis, and
robust and interoperable communications are essential,” said Senator
Hutchison. “Today, children are walking
to school with cutting-edge smartphones capable of video conferencing and
high-speed Internet connections, while our first responders often rely on voice-only
walkie-talkies that use decades-old technology.
Often times those radios are not even able to communicate with other
departments in nearby towns and counties.
Our emergency personnel must have access to 21st century
wireless communications.”
Senator Hutchison noted that she has drafted a comprehensive
spectrum bill called the Wireless Innovation and Spectrum Enhancement Act, (the
WISE Act) which would allocate a block of spectrum, known as the D block, for
America’s first responders. The measure
would provide a stable funding stream through a combination of grants financed
by auctions revenue and zero-interest loans to build a dedicated wireless
public safety network. Senator Hutchison
said funds would also be specifically targeted to rural and high-cost areas so
that many of the smaller communities in states like Texas and West Virginia
will also see the timely deployment of a public safety broadband network. The bill would also generate billions in new
revenue to help pay down the federal deficit.
“We have an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation to help
spur wireless innovation, create jobs, reduce the deficit, and most importantly
build a much-needed national public safety broadband communications network,”
Senator Hutchison said. “I look forward
to working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass legislation this year that
ensures the public safety community gets the resources they need for their
critical mission to help keep Americans safe and secure.”
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You can watch Senator Hutchison’s statement here.