Northrop wants more spectrum

Northrop Grumman Corp., Los Angeles, has asked the Federal Communications Commission for a rule that would allow an additional 10 MHz of broadband spectrum for advanced wireless applications that first responders need.

More spectrum would strengthen the national effort to meet emergency response and homeland security needs of public safety organizations; permit federal, state and local authorities to deploy advanced, broadband, wireless, high-speed data applications; meet critical interoperability needs; and serve the public interest, said Mike Grady, chief technology officer with Northrop Grumman's Information Technology sector.

Northrop Grumman IT has asked the FCC to consider the merits and viability of particular spectrum bands to meet this need, and to identify spectrum to establish a nationwide Internet Protocol-based interoperable communications network that will support broadband services.