A US Federal Communications Commission plan to allow the sharing of broadband spectrum between commercial and public safety interests concerns a Department of Homeland Security official. In testimony before a Congressional committee on 27 July, Greg Shaffer, assistant secretary of the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications in the DHS, said that the technology being relied upon to guarantee first responders access in the event of an emergency is based on unproven technology. The 10 megahertz of broadband spectrum is due to be auctioned to commercial organizations. Public safety organizations would be granted access in the event of an emergency rather than have dedicated spectrum. Schaffer says that there are too many unknown factors for DHS to support the auction.  Public safety providers have also expressed their reservations about the plan. (NextGov)