FCC ponders 'more flexible' use of 4.9 GHz

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering steps to “promote more flexible and intensive use” of the 4.9 GHz band, a part of the spectrum that is set aside for public safety communications.

In a Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted on 22 March, the Commission is seeking “comment on proposals, technical in nature, to encourage greater use of and investment in this public safety band, drawing on input from the public safety community and other potential users”.

“The Commission’s goal is to promote increased public safety use of the band and protect users from harmful interference while opening the spectrum to additional uses that will encourage a more robust market for equipment and greater innovation,” the FCC said in a press release.

The FCC specifically is seeking feedback on whether “an appropriate sharing mechanism could encourage more opportunistic use of the band while ensuring the priority, integrity and security of public safety operations”.

Back in 2002, the FCC designated 50 MHz in the 4.9 GHz band to public safety. Yet even though nearly 90,000 public safety entities are eligible for licences in this band, there are fewer than 3200 such licences in use.

It’s no wonder the Commission is worried that the “band has fallen short of its potential”.

Public safety agencies and others have cited reasons such as difficulty in acquiring equipment, the cost of deployment and concerns about harmful interference for the low take-up.

The FCC said that the new proposals are intended to address those concerns.

Image courtesy FirstNet.

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