Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act

In a December 2005 report to Congress submitted pursuant to the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Govtrack), the FCC recognized that broadband applications offer the public safety community a number of benefits, including video surveillance, real-time text messaging and e-mail, high resolution digital images, and the ability to obtain location and status information of personnel and equipment in the field. The commission is considering whether to adopt rules permitting a single licensee to charge public safety entities for access to the broadband service. Critics have alleged it would monopolize public safety communications. Three private companies have formed, offering competing public safety broadband plans. Two of the proposals involve utilizing frequencies in the 700 MHz band.

Related SourceWatch resources

 * See the other articles at the Telecom, Media and Intellectual Property Policy (U.S.) portal.
 * See the main Congresspedia article on Digital television.
 * See the main Congresspedia article on Spectrum.

External Resources

 * Lennard Kruger, The Digital TV Transition: A Brief Overview Congressional Research Service, Aug. 12, 2005.
 * Lennard Kruger, Digital Television: An Overview Congressional Research Service, updated Jan. 23, 2007.