Sen. Markey commends FCC Chair’s call not to auction off T-band spectrum

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) commended Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai’s call for Congress to repeal the mandate to auction T-Band spectrum.

Markey was among several senators who introduced a bill that would repeal a provision of the 2012 Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, which directed the FCC to auction off this band of spectrum by 2021.

The senators argued that this should not be auctioned off as police and firefighters use critical T-Band spectrum for emergency public safety communication. Agencies across the country have invested millions of local, state, and federal dollars in the T-Band networks to enable communications systems for first responders during emergencies.

The bill – called the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act — was introduced by Markey along with Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bob Casey (D-PA). Rep. Eliott Engel (D-NY) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Pai’s recommendation supports this legislation.

“Supporting the brave women and men in police and fire departments across the county and giving them the tools they need to succeed isn’t a partisan issue,” Markey said. “I commend Chairman Pai for joining the coalition of public safety organizations and industry actors alike calling on Congress to protect the T-Band. It’s time for Congress to do right by the people who keep us safe and secure and pass my Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act before the end of the year.”

The U.S. Government Accountability Office said the cost of relocating T-Band users to other bands of spectrum would cost between $5 and $6 billion.