05.22.08
Block D NPRM
The FCC has issued an Notice of Proposed Rule Making to revise the operation of Block DÂ (pdf).
The key sentence for me:
First, we seek comment on whether it remains in the public interest to require a public/private partnership between the nationwide D Block licensee and the Public Safety Broadband Licensee for the purpose of creating a nationwide, interoperable broadband network for both commercial and public safety network services.
A lot of the other key issues for which they are also seeking comments (negotiating rates, setting auction price, network sharing agreement) becomes inconsequential if instead of looking to create a two-headed monster the Feds create a single government sponsored enterprise chartered to serve the joint mission.
The FCC is also considering just abandoning the public safety communications provisioning requirement, which I think would be a mistake.
