T-Mobile, public safety ask for added provisions to stimulus package

The House this week plans to vote on a massive economic stimulus bill with $1 billion earmarked for wireless broadband grants, but the smallest national wireless provider and a leading public-safety group would like to see other provisions added.
T-Mobile USA Inc., among other things, urged key lawmakers to expedite tower-siting approval, calibrate broadband transmission speeds so as to not exclude mobile services, provide funding to lessen the financial burden of backhaul facilities and make broadband a component of universal service support in rural and low-income areas.
The House Commerce Committee last week authorized $2.8 billion fund for broadband grants. The remainder of the $6 billion broadband grants in the $825 billion economic stimulus package would be administered by the Rural Utilities Service’s broadband loan program.
“To maximize the value of these measures, Congress should target government support to promote competition,” T-Mobile told congressional leaders. “It would be unfortunate if government funding had the effect of further entrenching dominant carriers.”
T-Mobile’s reference to backhaul services relates to what is expected to be a major policy battle this year to reform special access regulations. Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc., parent companies of the two largest cellular operators, are dominant providers of backhaul services in major U.S. markets. As such, the special access issue has divided the wireless industry, with Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility pitted against T-Mobile and No. 3 Sprint Nextel Corp.
T-Mobile noted a recent report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, which found one- third of Americans currently do not use broadband because of the cost. “Targeting wireless broadband support in areas with two or fewer wireless broadband providers will expand consumer choice, helping to drive down prices and thereby increasing subscribership. Additionally, the wireless broadband programs should give a priority to projects that will create jobs within 3-18 months.”
Meantime, the National Emergency Number Association encouraged Congress to designate economic recovery dollars for upgrades to emergency 911 centers and emergency communications systems. “Over 20% of counties still lack the latest technology necessary to ensure that a 911 call made using a mobile phone can be automatically located,” said NENA CEO Brian Fontes in a letter to lawmakers. “The Enhance 911 Act grant program should receive $130 million in appropriations to help achieve Phase II wireless E911 deployment throughout the country. Such an appropriation would be sufficient to ensure that in any county in America, urban or rural, on a traditional landline or a wireless phone, the 911 call center will be capable of automatically locating 911 calls and providing an effective emergency response.”