The Federal Communications Commission revised plans to auction portions of the 700 MHz band of radio spectrum in order to create a nationwide interoperable broadband network for use by public safety. For more than a decade first responders have had a clear need for additional radio spectrum in order to communicate more effectively. In 2006, Congress passed legislation making 24 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band available to first responders. The rest was scheduled to be auctioned to private entities no later than Jan. 28, 2008.

The revised FCC rule would combine 10 MHz currently scheduled to be auctioned with the 24 MHz already designated for public safety. The private entity that purchases the 10 MHz would enter into a partnership with public safety organizations to develop a shared nationwide interoperable network for commercial and public safety users. Public safety users would have priority access to the network during major emergencies.

The National Volunteer Fire Council submitted comments to the FCC on two occasions over the past year supporting the creation of a nationwide interoperable broadband communications network that will provide thousands of rural volunteer fire departments access to broadband communications for the first time. The network will allow for interoperable communication between public safety agencies with different types of communications equipment.

The FCC also announced that its Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau will host a summit on communications network surge management in emergencies Sept. 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the commission meeting room (TW-C305) in Washington, D.C. The Summit will examine how communications networks are managed during mass emergency situations.