FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
January 3, 2013
JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Steve Israel
U.S. House of Representatives
2457 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Israel:
Thank you for your letter regarding the public safety systems in the 470-512 MHz
band. I appreciate your interest in this matter and am pleased to provide the enclosed
letter on this issue from the Chief of the FCC's Public Safety Homeland Security Bureau.
If you have any additional questions or need any further assistance, please do not
hesitate to contact me.
Julius Genachowski
445 12lH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON. D.C. 20554 • 202-418-1000
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
January 3, 2013
In Reply Refer To:
1201269
The Honorable Steve Israel
U.S. House of Representatives
2457 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Israel:
Thank you for your letter regarding the recently enacted Middle Class Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012 (Act), and in particular the provisions of the Act relating to the public
safety systems in the 470-512 MHz band (commonly referred to as the T-Band). You relay that
your constituents have expressed concern with respect to the need to purchase new equipment to
relocate these systems, and the associated cost.
As you note, Section 6103 of the Act provides that, not later than nine years after the date
of enactment, the Commission shall "reallocate the spectrum in the [T-Band] '" currently used
by public safety eligibles" and "begin a system of competitive bidding under Section 3090) of
the Communications Act of 1934 ... to grant new initial licenses for the use of the spectrum."
It also provides that relocation of public safety entities from the T-Band spectrum shall be
completed not later than two years after completion of the system of competitive bidding, and
provides that auction funds may be used to cover the cost of public safety relocation.
The Commission has begun initial consideration of the provisions of the Act, including
Section 6103, and is committed t6 working with NTIA to follow the Act's directives. We expect
to issue a Public Notice soon that will solicit comment on Section 6103's implementation, which
will provide T-Band licensees with an opportunity to publicly address their concerns and inform
the Commission as it considers this issue. We are happy to discuss with any affected T-Band
licensees what options are available to them under Section 6103.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further
assistance.
S' y,
( ().v;J~Is (
avid S. Turetsky
Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau