By Ron Thaniel
February 20, 2006

Cities that have campaigned for increased spectrum in the 700 MHz band for public safety interoperability finally have a specific deadline for television stations to switch to digital broadcasts thereby releasing 24 MHz of valuable analog spectrum for public safety. The Budget Reconciliation bill approved by Congress on February 1 sets February 17, 2009 as the hard deadline for ending broadcasts in this band.

The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act was inserted in the Budget Reconciliation bill because Congress expects to raise $10 billion or more by the auction of analog spectrum.

The bill provides $1 billion for state and local interoperability grants and creates a $990 million digital-to-analog converter box assistance program to subsidize set-top converter boxes for people who receive TV signals over the air using analog-only televisions not connected to cable or satellite service.

At the Conference of Mayors October 24, 2005 Homeland Security press conference upon releasing the 2005 National Action Plan on Safety and Security in America’s Cities Working Paper, Conference President Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill and Homeland Security Task Force Co-Chairs Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley and Sugar Land (TX) Mayor David Wallace urged immediate Congressional action for establishing a deadline for the spectrum transfer for public safety as well as financial assistance to purchase the interoperable systems.