Rep. Pete King disappointed with Obama's wireless plan despite praise from industry

President Barack Obama's executive memorandum on spectrum signed on Monday fell short for Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.), who wanted a promise that spectrum would be devoted to a network for first responders. But many industry groups praised the plan.

"I was disappointed not to see a White House endorsement for any additional spectrum to specifically be allocated for public safety," King said in a statement.

The White House will use proceeds from the auction of unneeded federal spectrum to pay for infrastructure programs, including public safety, according to its plan. But King would like the government to devote a specific block of spectrum, the D-Block, to a national network for first responders, a strategy that is not endorsed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Lawrence Summers, the White House National Economic Council director, said on Monday that auctions — rather than government-directed allocations — lead to the most efficient use of the spectrum.

Obama's strategy drew many positive reactions from wireless companies and industry groups. Cisco compared it to President John F. Kennedy's call to put a man on the moon. Snippets below.

Cisco's Mary Brown:

"The only President to ever carry and use a Blackberry today announced an ambitious plan that will allow people and things to communicate using new IP-based wireless technologies on a scale never before seen. This is a huge step in the right direction. In Cisco’s view, a new era of visual communications is upon us. Americans will use video to communicate with each other, ensure the safety of our citizens and critical infrastructures, for information gathering and collaboration, and in ways that we cannot even imagine. Like President Kennedy’s goal of putting a man on the moon, President Obama’s 10-year spectrum initiative promises to put the United States at the forefront of technologies that will be needed to support a very different communications system than the one that exists today."

AT&T's Jim Cicconi:

"Today’s Presidential Memorandum on spectrum policy, and the public comments of the President’s top economic advisor, are both encouraging and timely…Spectrum deficiencies, if left unaddressed, will limit job growth and investment, harm consumers, and hobble innovation. And just as all wireless carriers will face these spectrum deficiencies, all carriers should be allowed a fair chance to acquire the spectrum their customers need. We look forward to working with the Administration as it moves to meet the spectrum goals outlined in the National Broadband Plan, and now endorsed by the President."

Public Knowledge's Harold Feld:

"We are pleased that the White House is moving forward to increase the amount of spectrum access for non-federal users.  This additional spectrum should eventually translate into more competition in the wireless industry, and more opportunities for consumers. We were particularly pleased that Dr. Summers took note of the importance of both licensed and unlicensed spectrum as part of a comprehensive spectrum policy.  We look forward to working with the Administration, Congress and the FCC in making these spectrum plans a reality.”

Sprint's Vonya McCann:

"Sprint is pleased that President Obama has put his support behind the FCC’s National Broadband Plan recommendations concerning spectrum allocation. The President’s order will facilitate all federal agencies working cooperatively to identify spectrum availability and best manage this scarce resource. If the plan’s recommendations are implemented fully over the next ten years, they will create jobs, promote innovation, and further expand the country’s broadband economy."

Information Technology Industry Council's Dean Garfield:

"This is an important and positive step in our long-term goal of ubiquitous broadband nationwide. As the United States recovers from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, it’s critical that we recognize the vast potential of broadband to create jobs, train our workforce and drive sustained growth across industry sectors. In short, faster, more pervasive Internet will make it easier for retailers to take orders and track inventory, airlines to sell seats, tourist destinations to attract visitors and schools to educate the innovators of the future."

T-Mobile's Tom Sugrue:

"Mobile is pleased that the Obama Administration is making commercial wireless spectrum availability a top priority.  Expanding access to additional spectrum is essential to ensuring that America stays on the cutting edge of mobile broadband deployment and satisfies consumers’ fast-growing demand for wireless data.  Fulfilling the President’s commitment to make 500 MHz available for broadband services will also promote investment and continued innovation in wireless, thereby spurring job growth in the U.S. at the time when we need it the most.  We look forward to working with the Administration in order to make this important policy proposal a reality."

TechNet, a coalition of CEOS:

"Just like roads and bridges of the last century, widespread broadband deployment represents the fundamental underlying infrastructure of America’s innovation economy,” said Rey Ramsey, President and CEO of TechNet.  “As the President said in his memorandum, our nation’s future is wireless and a dynamic broadband network is central to our nation’s long-term economic growth. We look forward to working with our policymakers to make the power of broadband more available and accessible to every American."

Mobile Future Coalition's Jonathan Spalter:

"Mobile is pleased that the Obama Administration is making commercial wireless spectrum availability a top priority.  Expanding access to additional spectrum is essential to ensuring that America stays on the cutting edge of mobile broadband deployment and satisfies consumers’ fast-growing demand for wireless data.  Fulfilling the President’s commitment to make 500 MHz available for broadband services will also promote investment and continued innovation in wireless, thereby spurring job growth in the U.S. at the time when we need it the most.  We look forward to working with the Administration in order to make this important policy proposal a reality."