Cyren Call’s proposal would derail Congress’ plan to facilitate the DTV transition. CEA urges the FCC and Congress to maintain the DTV and Public Safety Act as it was signed into law last year.
Jason Oxman, VP Communications, CEA

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the High Tech DTV Coalition called on Congress to reject a proposal by a private company to allocate the 700 MHz spectrum for public safety first responders.

CEA says the proposal by Cyren Call Communications could disrupting the delicate bipartisan balance struck in the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 (DTV and Public Safety Act).

Jason Oxman, vice president, communications at CEA, said, “Cyren Call’s proposal would derail Congress’ plan to facilitate the DTV transition. CEA urges the FCC and Congress to maintain the DTV and Public Safety Act as it was signed into law last year.”

The DTV and Public Safety Act sets a firm date for transitioning existing television services to digital technology, ensuring that public safety agencies will have access to an additional 24 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band to provide critical interoperability and meet their future voice and data needs. In addition, the Act provides for $1 billion in funding for interoperable communications systems through the auction of commercial spectrum. More than $300 million will be used for other important public safety programs, including the establishment of a unified national alert system and enhancements to existing 911 systems.