A congressional panel told the FCC that it thinks it should re-auction a block of public airwaves, which failed to reach the minimum bid in the last auction, to the highest bidder and then use the proceeds to fund a nationwide emergency communications network, AP reported today. The idea was raised during a meeting of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet that talked about why a plan aimed at using public airwaves and private money to create a nationwide emergency communications network failed. Following disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Sept. 11, 2001, the FCC approved a plan to set aside the "D block" in the 700 MHz auction in March, which would require the winning bidder to build a public-safety network. But the block failed to attract a high enough bidder. This new suggestion—to use the proceeds of the auction to fund the network—also sounds like it has hurdles. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said they'd need legislative approval. Plus, there's no telling if the auction would raise enough money. Estimates vary between $6 and $7 billion.
