Commission issues rules for interoperable public safety network

Continuing its efforts to ensure seamless communications between emergency services personnel, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued additional rules to advance communications interoperability for first responders throughout the United States.

As a result of its Third Report and Order and Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in January 2011, the Commission will now require all 700 MHz public safety mobile broadband networks to use a common air interface (namely, Long-Term Evolution, known as LTE) to support roaming and interoperable communications.

In addition, the Commission is seeking comments on specific additional rules to ensure nationwide interoperability.  Comments on the Commission’s additional proposed rules are due to the Commission by mid-March, 2011.

In an effort to make its activities more transparent and accessible for all, the FCC has also released a video on YouTube that provides an overview of the Commission’s rulemaking in connection with advance interoperability communications.