Three former chiefs of the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau — including two former top military officers — have expressed their strong endorsement of Gigi Sohn as the regulator‘s fifth commissioner.

Confirmation of Sohn, a Democrat, would tip the balance of power on an FCC that‘s currently politically tied at 2-2. Sohn was a top adviser to Tom Wheeler, FCC chair during the second term of President Barack Obama.

Those ringing endorsements came in letters this week to the chair and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, copies of which were provided to Multichannel News. The committee has held a hearing on Sohn's nomination but has yet to vote on it.

Sending a joint letter were retired Rear Admirals Jamie Barnett and David Turetsky, with retired Rear Adm. David Simpson sending a separate letter.

Also: Preston Padden Backs Sohn for FCC Seat

Sohn has received major pushback from Republicans over some tweets about Fox News Channel and her progressive stands on some issues, including as head of Public Knowledge, but she also has backers in that party who concede elections have consequences and respect her has a principled advocate for positions they may not agree with.

Simpson said he had worked closely with Sohn for three years and called her a patriot, a big backer of law enforcement and an advocate for public safety. “She would be an outstanding commissioner and bring useful consumer and community focused perspective to the FCC,” he said, adding that Sohn had his “strongest possible endorsement.”

In their joint letter, Barnett and Turetsky said, “Based on our knowledge and experience with the public safety communications role of the FCC, our knowledge of FCC commissioner nominee Gigi Sohn and our work and dedication to make the public safer, we enthusiastically recommend that you confirm Gigi Sohn to serve as an FCC commissioner.”

They urged the legislators — Commerce chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and ranking member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) — to confirm Sohn ASAP. Actually, they would simply be favorably reporting the nomination to the full Senate, whose affirmative vote would be confirmation, but their meaning was clear. 

“She is someone we believe will be a strong, effective, and knowledgeable advocate for the public’s safety as an FCC commissioner,” Barrett and Turetsky concluded.

FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is waiting on that fifth commissioner to be able to tackle potential broadcast and internet service provider re-regulation that the two Republican members are unlikely to support. ■

Citizens Against Government Waste is telling the FCC it would be a waste not to use 45 MHz of the 5.9 GHz band to expand WiFi, citing the pandemic as one reason. 

Vehicle-to-vehicle communications currently claim the entire band, though that technology has been slow to roll and WiFi backers including cable operators and computer companies say V2V can do fine with only 30 MHz of the 75 MHz total. 

Related: Public Interest Groups Call for 5,9 GHz 

In its reply comments to the FCC, which has proposed freeing up the lower 45 MHz for WiFi/5G, CAGW said that the FCC's plan more closely aligns the U.S. with other countries. Then there is the virus-driven need for remote communications. 

"During the coronavirus pandemic, WiFi has enabled tens of millions of Americans to work and learn remotely and operate many devices at the same time on their home networks," CAGW said. "Designating the lower 45 MHz of the 5.9 GHz band for unlicensed use can help address an immediate need for capacity." 

Related: NCTA Says It's Time 5.9 GHz Drove WiFi Expansion

The group also said that if V2V got to keep all 75 MHz they would likely try to use some of that capacity for nonsafety systems including entertainment systems. "Good spectrum policy requires that the FCC only give away spectrum for free, without an auction or sharing requirements, if it will be used for a public purpose such as public safety," it said. 

Related: NCTA to FCC: Set 5.9 GHz Free

Besides, it said, using the spectrum for "infotainment" could lead to distracted driving and accidents, so it would be the opposite of public safety use.