[Satellite Today 09-29-08] The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rejected a proposal by Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) that every handset in a national broadband network for emergency responders include satellite connectivity, according to an FCC proposed rulemaking notice released Sept. 26.
     The commission said it wanted to let spectrum licensees determine which equipment should have satellite capability. It did, however, support integration of some satellite connectivity into a nationwide public safety network that would be created in the 700 megahertz spectrum, D Block.
    The Satellite Industries Association, whose chairman of the board, Jennifer Manner, also is vice president of regulatory affairs for MSV, joined Inmarsat and the Mobile Satellite Users Association in expressing support for MSV’s proposal to the FCC.
     The FCC is attempting a second auction of the D Block spectrum after the first auction in 2008 failed to draw a bidder to match the commission’s minimum asking price of $1.3 billion.