A Nationwide, Broadband, Interoperable Public Safety Network in the 700 MHz Band

In this Report and Order, the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) acts to implement clear directives of Congress set forth in the Public Safety Spectrum Act.

The Bureau reallocates the D Block for “public safety services” and deletes FCC rules that are plainly inconsistent with this revised allocation. It also deletes the FCC rules establishing, providing license authority with respect to, and governing operations under the Public Safety Broadband License in the existing public safety broadband spectrum. The Bureau replaces these with rules implementing the clear mandate of the Public Safety Spectrum Act to grant a license for this spectrum and the D Block to FirstNet. The rule changes adopted by the Bureau in this order are strictly limited to aspects of that mandate that leave no room for agency discretion, and thus fall within the Bureau’s delegated authority and are consistent with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. By eliminating any confusion or uncertainty about the new regulatory framework applicable to the public safety broadband network, the FCC action facilitates the transition of this spectrum to FirstNet, the prospective licensee established by the Act.