The International Association of Chiefs of Police has written leaders of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation and House Energy and Commerce committees expressing support for the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act (HR 5085 and S 3347).

“As you know, the spectrum in the T-Band (470-512 MHz) is used by law enforcement and other public safety entities in and around eleven metropolitan areas of the United States to support critical public safety communications and provide regional interoperability among first responders. These areas are Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.,” said the letter from IACP President Paul Cell.

“Unfortunately, Section 6103 of Public Law 112-96 (The Spectrum Act) directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin auctioning the public safety T-Band spectrum for commercial use by February 22, 2021 and clear all public safety operations from the band within 2 years of auctions close (i.e., by early 2023). Significantly, while the Spectrum Act does allow the auction revenue to be used to cover costs associated with relocation, the act does not specify any replacement spectrum or ensure auction revenues will be sufficient to fund the relocation.” The letter added “that the IACP strongly supports H.R. 5085/S. 3347 which would repeal of section 6103 of P.L. 112-96 to allow public safety to continue using the T-Band spectrum (470-512 MHz) to accomplish its mission of providing emergency services to over ninety (90) million citizens.”

Courtesy TRDaily