The week ahead: Telecom subpanel takes on the D Block

Spectrum gets top billing this week at a number of events inside and outside Washington.

House Communications subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (Ore.) will hold a hearing Tuesday on how the airwaves can be used to promote public safety, create jobs, and reduce the deficit. The hearing will center on the controversial D Block of spectrum.

Fiscal conservatives are at loggerheads with senators and the White House over whether to devote those airwaves directly to public safety agencies or whether to auction them off to commercial providers, who would then share their networks with emergency groups.

Expected to testify in favor of the auction is former Sen. Slade Gorton (R-Wash.). Charles Dowd of the New York City Police Department will advocate for direct allocation.

Meanwhile, members of the National Association of Broadcasters are gathered in Las Vegas for their annual show. It will include presentations by director James Cameron, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski and CBS President Leslie Moonves.

The American Cable Association holds its Washington summit this week, including keynote speakers Walden and FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn.

Justice Department and FBI officials will head to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday for a cybersecurity hearing. A McAfee official is slated to join the panel.

The Senate Homeland Security Committee will look into at how to eliminate wasteful federal IT spending on Wednesday. Federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra heads to the Hill for that discussion.