Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a long-anticipated Report and Order concerning licensing and use of the 4.9 GHz band. Most importantly, the FCC ensured that the band will be reserved for public safety use and emphasized the importance of protecting existing incumbent operations and incentivizing technical innovation within the band. To promote these goals, the FCC adopted a framework in which the band manager, once selected, will hold a nationwide overlay license and will be authorized to enter into a sharing agreement with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to access the band where there are no incumbent operations.
The FCC declined to move forward with prior proposals to permit secondary access via spectrum leases to non-public safety entities at this time. Under this framework, the band manager will ensure that existing licensees will be able to continue operations and be free from harmful interference. The Wireless Telecommunications and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureaus under delegated authority will determine the manner of selection of the band manager and the details of the sharing arrangement between the band manager and FirstNet.
“Today’s action is a major win for public safety. Public safety agencies will at long last have the assurance of interference-free operations and the availability of advanced communications technologies to carry out their lifesaving missions. Furthermore, APCO is confident that FirstNet will build upon its record of success serving the public safety community with a state-of-the-art wireless broadband network now augmented by access to the 4.9 GHz band,” said Mel Maier, CEO and executive director of APCO International. “This will undoubtedly result in significant benefits to public safety agencies and the communities they serve throughout the country. We thank Chairwoman Rosenworcel; Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington; as well as the professional staff at the FCC, for their work in developing a solid path forward. APCO looks forward to working with all stakeholders and the Bureaus to complete the remaining work necessary and enable the public safety community to make the best and most effective use of this band.”
