Senators' Letter Takes 2 GHz Contest to Homeland Security Dept.

Sens. Burns (R-Mont.) and Clinton (D-N.Y.) asked the Homeland Security Dept. (DHS) to take the lead on a 2 GHz proceeding pending at the FCC, citing the security benefits of "next-generation, ubiquitous, interoperable nation-wide wireless system." In a Aug. 4 letter to Secy. Michael Chertoff that was attached to comments filed by TMI/TerreStar Mon. at the FCC, the senators asked DHS to "play a leading role" on the issue. It's imperative that DHS weigh in on critical telecommunications infrastructure, they said: "We believe the FCC would give some deference to your views on this matter, and we urge you to be actively involve as the FCC considers how it will allocate this spectrum."

The senators said they favor allocating all the spectrum to mobile satellite services (MSS) licensees TMI/TerreStar and ICO, not terrestrial wireless providers and other satellite interests seeking the spectrum (CD Aug. 3 p6; July 27 p10). "Legacy networks are unable to support advanced security applications. Advanced security applications cannot be dependent on networks with a variety of protocols, varied bandwidth, competing commercial priorities and products and tenuous interconnection arrangements," Burns and Clinton said in the letter: "In our experience, lack of spectrum capacity is a major impediment to the development of advanced communications applications for emergency management and homeland security."

As potential beneficiaries of 2 GHz MSS services, the letter listed aircraft security and a proposed Defense Dept. interconnection, by broadband, of 450 critical domestic sites. Advanced imaging applications that would be performed over a wireless signal from airplane to satellite are being developed, the senators said. The data, which would allow scrutiny of passengers from inside an aircraft, could be transmitted to DHS before an airplane departs the terminal, they said. TMI/TerreStar said they're committed to providing details on their system to the national security and homeland security communities to foster wireless-based application development and to ensure interoperability.

MSS also could satisfy a DoD request for information on the feasibility of interconnecting 450 critical domestic sites by broadband, they said. "Most of these sites are in rural areas which lack a developed land-based telecommunications infrastructure," the letter said. But a nationwide network with both a satellite and terrestrial component could fill the requirement and close critical security gaps, they added. The letter was echoed by in a letter to the Commission from Virginia's Region 2000 Economic Council, a consortium of technology firms that develop security applications for the govt. and suitors of potential homeland security contracts. Legacy networks, the group said, can't support the types of advance security applications being developed.

The International Assn. of Chiefs of Police filed comments on the proceeding with the Major Cities Chiefs Assn., National Sheriffs' Assn. and major County Sheriffs' Assn. "This outcome could provide some benefits for public safety, to the extent that these providers are able to provide integrated satellite and terrestrial services for future public safety commissions" the public safety officials said: "We recommend the Commission give consideration to the possible public safety benefits of this proposal."

TMI/TerreStar said reallocating the extra 13.34 MHz away from 2GHz MSS licensees would thwart funding by sending "a message to operators, the financial community and potential customers that the Commission has lost confidence in the public interest benefits of sustaining a competitive mobile satellite service." Meanwhile, ICO said Tues. it issued and sold $650 million principal amount of 7.5% convertible senior secured notes due 2009 in a private placement to institutional investors. ICO said the proceeds will fund "a substantial portion" of the costs to develop its MSS/ATC system.

Competitors CTIA, Intel, Sirius, Inmarsat and Globalstar didn't file reply comments. All separately have voiced interest in the spectrum, and many have asked the FCC to open an entirely new processing round.

Copyright ©2005 Warren Publishing, Inc.