Policy & Licensing Division Chief Michael Wilhelm discussed three different spectrum bands used by public safety. First, he discussed use of the 4.9 GHz band, which is currently reserved for public safety. He noted options for increasing use of and investment in the band, such as allowing shared use of the band between public safety and non-public safety users, while allowing public safety to maintain priority access. Second, he discussed the FCC’s proposal to allow unlicensed uses, such as Wi-Fi, in the 6 GHz band, which is used for a variety of critical services and is heavily encumbered by public safety for extremely reliable fixed, point-to-point microwave transmissions. He noted APCO’s concern that unlicensed users will cause interference to public safety operations and stated the FCC is examining solutions that would protect incumbent users. Finally, Wilhelm stated that the rebanding of the 800 MHz is almost complete, with only 25 stations on the Mexico border still needing to be rebanded.

Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division Chief Austin Randazzo discussed the need to ensure that 9-1-1 systems remain reliable and the FCC’s efforts to improve the resiliency of 9-1-1 networks. FCC Operations Center Director Tim Perrier then discussed how data is collected during disasters and the FCC’s role in national security event planning to help ensure that communications are free from interference.

Attorney Advisor Elizabeth Cuttner discussed recent and upcoming enhancements for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) such as live, end-to-end WEA testing and improved geo-targeting for alerts. Where before, there was county-level or best-efforts alerting, carriers will be required to match the target area specified by alert originators, with no more than one-tenth of a mile overshoot.

Policy & Licensing Division Deputy Chief John Evanoff discussed the FCC’s recently adopted rules requiring new multi-line telephone systems (MLTS), beginning in 2020, to provide direct-dial capability (meaning the ability to call 9-1-1 without having to first dial an extra digit such as “9” for an outside line) and on-site notification, and that a dispatchable location is conveyed with a 9-1-1 calls from MLTS, Interconnected Voice over IP, mobile texting, and Telecommunications Relay Services.  Evanoff and Attorney Advisor Nellie Foosaner described the current status of the wireless 9-1-1 location accuracy proceeding, noting that by 2021, the wireless carriers will be required to provide a vertical location component for 9-1-1 calls in one of two ways: (1) dispatchable location or (2) z-axis information. Foosaner touched on text-to-911 progress stating that approximately 1,800 emergency communications centers have certified that they are text-to-911 capable. Finally, David Furth, Deputy Chief of the Public Safety Bureau, took questions from the audience on T-Band, 800 MHz interstitials and other issues.

Covered by Nicole Zimbelman