From my perspective, I see Congress, "industry," and a number of lobbies pushing the FCC to put anything that uses independent communications systems on to fee-for-service networks. GMRS fills a void for local communication that is otherwise money in the pocket of cellular companies. It also provides communication in areas where it's not lucrative for a cellular company to build out and realize a return on their investment. Sadly, the FCC's "vision" of GMRS seems to overlook repeaters and our land mobile model, instead taking their cues from blister pack radio manufacturers and cellular companies who are quite content on the revenue they'll realize from every independent system they replace.
As for putting things on 70 cm, sure, it's an option, and it's a great option. The only differences between many ham machines and GMRS machines are the license and the frequencies. Amateur radio is a national treasure. But amateur radio is under attack, too. Hams recently dodged a bullet with HR-607, where Congressman Peter King and a back-room coalition sought a spectrum give-back to create a high CBO score. If this had gone down the road, a sizeable chunk of 70 cm, GMRS, all of UHF public safety, and all of UHF business would have been a "give back" and sold at auction for more network-intensive broadband solutions. People got up in arms and that particular threat went away. For now.
Won the battle but not the war. It's not safe. Senator Mark Warner may be drafting legislation with give back provisions in the Senate's Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Be sure there are more on the horizon.
Keep your ear to the ground and be ready to make your voice heard.
