Optimizing the 4.9 GHz Band for Public Safety

The 4.9 GHz spectrum band is used by the public safety community for broadband communications. APCO has long played an active role in proceedings at the Federal Communications Commission about the future of this band, strongly advocating for the interests of public safety. We believe that public safety users should have primary, interference-free access to the band, and that public safety use should be optimized in a manner that promotes innovation, helps modernize public safety communications and enables 5G services.

Recent FCC Actions on 4.9 GHz Band

News Related to 4.9 GHz

Court Decision Clears Path for Next Steps in 4.9 GHz Band

The 4.9 GHz band is an important public safety spectrum resource, and a recent court decision has cleared the way for the FCC to continue implementing its plans for the band.

July 23, 2026

APCO Files Response to BART 4.9 GHz Waiver Request

On March 31, APCO submitted a filing with the Federal Communications Commission in response to a request from the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to waive certain rules governing the 4.9 GHz band.

April 7, 2026

Governmental Proceedings

2026
March 31, 2026 APCO Reply Comments: BART 4.9 GHz Waiver Request (ULS File No. 0011761238)
January 12, 2026 APCO Ex Parte: 4.9 GHz (Petition for Rulemaking) (WP 07-100, RM-12002)
2025
May 12, 2025 APCO Reply Comments on Amending 4.9 GHz Band Technical Rules (WP 07-100, RM-12002)
February 5, 2025 Petition for Rulemaking: 4.9 GHz (07-100)
2023
May 15, 2023 Reply Comments: 4.9 GHz (Ninth FNPRM) (WP 07-100)
April 13, 2023 APCO Comments on New Framework for the 4.9 GHz Band (07-100)
2022
November 18, 2022 Ex Parte: 4.9 GHz (PSHSB and WTB) (WP 07-100)
2021
November 29, 2021 Comments: 4.9 GHz (Eighth FNPRM) (WP 07-100)
October 21, 2021 Modification of Temporary Filing Freeze on 4.9 GHz (DA 21-1320)
February 16, 2021 Ex Parte: Meeting with PSHSB on Open Public Safety Proceedings (2021) (ET 04-35, 18-295; GN 17-183; PS 07-114, 11-60, 13-75, 15-80, 15-91, 15-94; WP 07-100)
January 13, 2021 Comments: 4.9 GHz (Seventh FNPRM) (WP 07-100)
2020
December 29, 2020 APCO Petition for Reconsideration of 4.9 GHz Rules (WP 07-100)
October 2, 2020 FCC Sixth Report and Order and Seventh Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ((WP 07-100))
September 21, 2020 Public Safety Organizations Joint Letter on 4.9 GHz Rules
2018
September 4, 2018 Ex Parte: 4.9 GHz (WP 07-100)
August 23, 2018 Ex Parte: 4.9 GHz (WP 07-100)
August 16, 2018 Ex Parte: 4.9 GHz (WP 07-100)
July 6, 2018 Comments: 4.9 GHz (WP 07-100)
March 22, 2018 FCC Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ((WP 07-100))
2016
June 1, 2016 Ex Parte: Use of 4.9 GHz (WP 07-100, PS 06-229, WT 06-150)
2015
September 28, 2015 Letter: 4.9 GHz Task Force Report (WP 07-100, PS 06-229, WT 06-150)
September 28, 2015 Report: 4.9 GHz Task Force (WP 07-100, PS 06-229, WT 06-150)
May 20, 2015 Ex Parte: Use of 4.9 GHz (WP 07-100, PS 06-229, WT 06-150)
2013
November 22, 2013 Comments: NPSTC’s 4.9 GHz Report (06-150, 06-226, 07-100)
April 18, 2013 FCC Fifth Report and Order ((WP 07-100))
2012
October 31, 2012 Comments: 4.9 GHz (06-229, 06-150, 07-100)
June 13, 2012 FCC Fourth Report and Order and Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ((WP 07-100))
2007
May 14, 2007 Amending Part 90 of the Commission’s Rules ((07-100))