White House eyes spectrum for public safety

WASHINGTON Jan 27 (Reuters) - The White House will support legislation to block the auction of wireless airwaves to commercial wireless providers because public safety officials need them.

The Obama administration wants to allocate spectrum from the "D Block," a segment of the 700 megahertz band of airwaves, for public safety, a White House official said in a statement.

The administration's plans are part of an effort to bring high-speed wireless services to nearly all Americans. (Reporting by Jasmin Melvin. Editing by Robert MacMillan)