Hope remains for national wireless network

From Yahoo! News: Technology News:

Government and public safety officials said Wednesday they remain committed to plans for a national wireless network that could solve critical communication problems during emergencies, even though the most likely builder of the network has shut down. Industry analysts said Frontline Wireless' demise throws into doubt the viability of the ambitious plan, which would impose unusual constraints on a private operator by forcing it to share airwaves with public safety agencies. Frontline was expected to be a leading bidder in the Federal Communications Commission auction of wireless airwaves, which starts Jan. 24. "We are still hopeful there will be someone who will emerge as being willing to take on this challenge," the FCC said in a statement. The FCC is offering to sell relatively cheaply a chunk of spectrum to a carrier that will agree to share the airwaves with police and fire agencies during crises. Public safety agencies often have been unable to communicate with each other during disasters such as Hurricane Katrina because they use different frequencies.

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