Check out Heather Forsgren Weaver's article in RCR Wireless News today on public safety groups going after the National Association of Broadcaster's stupid remarks on interoperability to Capitol Hill last week.

"WASHINGTON - Public-safety advocates fought back last week against broadcaster attempts to slow the move toward setting a hard date to finish the transition to digital TV.

"The National Association of Broadcasters' cavalier dismissal of public-safety needs also overlooks the fact that improved interoperability is just one benefit of the 700 MHz band. The additional spectrum is also required to alleviate dangerous congestion on public-safety systems, especially in major metropolitan areas. Existing public-safety spectrum bands are completely full in such areas, with no room for expansion. This spectrum congestion existed back in 1997 when the Congress required that 24 megahertz from the 700 MHz band be re-allocated to public safety. The congestion is even worse today, due to population expansion and the new homeland-security obligations imposed on public-safety agencies since Sept. 11, 2001. Public-safety agencies also need additional spectrum in the 700 MHz band to implement new high-speed data and video systems that will greatly enhance their ability to protect the safety of life and property in today's increasingly dangerous world," according to a letter eight organizations sent to Capitol Hill.

NAB told Congress late last month that corporate interests were using public-safety needs unnecessarily. "The Computer Systems Policy Project wrongly asserts that local stations' occupation of TV spectrum is hindering the rollout of public-safety communications interoperability," said NAB President Edward Fritts.

In 1997, Congress said that in 2007, broadcasters would have to return the extra 6 megahertz of spectrum given to TV broadcasters to facilitate the DTV transition. But there was a caveat: TV broadcasters could keep the spectrum if more than 15 percent of the homes in their viewing areas could not receive digital signals. Removing the caveat has become known as establishing a hard date and has been widely encouraged by the wireless industry, which wants access to some of the spectrum. Congress set aside 24 megahertz of the spectrum for public safety with the rest for commercial uses. Some has already been auctioned.

Legislation was introduced last month to end the DTV transition on Dec. 31, 2006, and give spectrum to public safety..."