Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District

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Inslee wins amendment to free up spectrum for public safety, wireless broadband
27 October 2005 The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill that would make Dec. 31, 2008, the hard date for transitioning television sets from analog to digital signals. Included in the bill was an amendment, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, aimed at freeing up wasted portions of the television broadcast spectrum for use by emergency responders and wireless-broadband users. Inslee's provision directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete ongoing proceedings that would allow public-safety organizations and wireless service providers to use unlicensed portions of prime spectrum - channels two through 51. This spectrum, with the capability to transmit data over longer distances with less power, is reserved for television broadcasting. A significant amount of it is underutilized in American media markets. If reassigned, emergency responders could use the vacant spectrum for the improvement of communications systems among and between jurisdictions. Traditional and unlicensed wireless broadband networks also could be accommodated - increasing the range of services available to consumers. Helping meet spectrum needs of unlicensed devices, which have been used to create high-speed Internet networks in homes, schools, neighborhoods, towns and rural areas, could help narrow the digital divide by making access more affordable and prevalent in underserved areas. "Public safety and consumer choice prevailed today," said Inslee, during a statement before the commerce panel on Wednesday evening. "Freeing up this spectrum will help spur technological innovation and economic growth." Last Thursday, the Senate Commerce Committee approved April 7, 2009, as the date for conversion to digital television signals. That bill did not include a companion to Inslee's amendment. House and Senate negotiators will work out differences of this and a wide range of bills as part of the so-called budget reconciliation process, which occurs when committees make legislative changes to spending and revenue-generating programs in order to meet limits set in the budget resolution. Committees must submit their reconciliation recommendations to the House Budget Committee by midnight on Friday. Inslee's district is home to some of the nation's top communications and technology companies and he's known as a leading congressional voice on hi-tech issues. Since joining the House Energy and Commerce Committee in January, universal broadband access in the U.S. has been one of Inslee's priorities.

Inslee wins amendment to free up spectrum for public safety, wireless broadband

27 October 2005

The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill that would make Dec. 31, 2008, the hard date for transitioning television sets from analog to digital signals. Included in the bill was an amendment, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, aimed at freeing up wasted portions of the television broadcast spectrum for use by emergency responders and wireless-broadband users.

Inslee's provision directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete ongoing proceedings that would allow public-safety organizations and wireless service providers to use unlicensed portions of prime spectrum - channels two through 51. This spectrum, with the capability to transmit data over longer distances with less power, is reserved for television broadcasting. A significant amount of it is underutilized in American media markets.

If reassigned, emergency responders could use the vacant spectrum for the improvement of communications systems among and between jurisdictions. Traditional and unlicensed wireless broadband networks also could be accommodated - increasing the range of services available to consumers. Helping meet spectrum needs of unlicensed devices, which have been used to create high-speed Internet networks in homes, schools, neighborhoods, towns and rural areas, could help narrow the digital divide by making access more affordable and prevalent in underserved areas.

"Public safety and consumer choice prevailed today," said Inslee, during a statement before the commerce panel on Wednesday evening. "Freeing up this spectrum will help spur technological innovation and economic growth."

Last Thursday, the Senate Commerce Committee approved April 7, 2009, as the date for conversion to digital television signals. That bill did not include a companion to Inslee's amendment.

House and Senate negotiators will work out differences of this and a wide range of bills as part of the so-called budget reconciliation process, which occurs when committees make legislative changes to spending and revenue-generating programs in order to meet limits set in the budget resolution. Committees must submit their reconciliation recommendations to the House Budget Committee by midnight on Friday.

Inslee's district is home to some of the nation's top communications and technology companies and he's known as a leading congressional voice on hi-tech issues. Since joining the House Energy and Commerce Committee in January, universal broadband access in the U.S. has been one of Inslee's priorities.