The Federal Communications Commission today adopted a Third Report and Order (Order) and Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) that will significantly advance communications interoperability for our Nation’s first responders. The rules adopted and proposed in today’s Order and FNPRM support the build out of robust, dedicated and secure mobile broadband networks that will enable public safety broadband users to share information, videos, photos and emails across departments and jurisdictions nationwide for day-to-day operations and during large-scale emergencies.

The Order and FNPRM requires all 700 MHz public safety mobile broadband networks to use a common air interface, specifically Long Term Evolution (LTE), to support roaming and interoperable communications and seeks comment on additional rules to enable nationwide interoperability.  The FCC’s actions today build on the technical requirements that state and local 700 MHz broadband waiver recipients are already subject to in the early buildout of their regional public safety broadband networks.     

The FNPRM seeks public comment on, among other things:

• The architectural vision of the network;
• The effectiveness of open standards;
• Interconnectivity between networks;
• Network robustness and resiliency;
• Security and encryption; Coverage and coverage reliability requirements;
• Roaming and priority access between public safety broadband networks; and
• Interference coordination and protection.

The deadlines for public comments and reply comments on the FNPRM are 45 days and 75 days, respectively, after publication in the Federal Registry.