As part of the payroll tax extension compromise, President Obama signed legislation that will allocate the so-called D-Block, which will in turn create a nationwide broadband network.
Long a goal of public safety officials, the D-Block is radio spectrum in the 700-MHz band (broadband spectrum). Adjacent to the D-Block is 10-MHz of spectrum already allocated to public safety. The D-Block, which was previously slated to be auctioned to the private sector, will now be preserved for public safety’s growing communications needs. Good news!