On August 4, 2025, APCO submitted comments in response to the FCC’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on improving interoperability and reliability for NG9-1-1 systems.
When Disaster Strikes: How the FCC and TERT Step In
This session explored how both federal agencies and public safety telecommunicator teams respond when disasters strike, offering practical insights and real-world experiences.
FCC Update on Public Safety Proceedings
The annual FCC update provided attendees with the latest information on federal actions impacting public safety communications. Representatives from the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau — from both the Policy and Licensing Division and the Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division — shared updates on key rulemakings and initiatives affecting public safety communications.
FCC Seeks Public Safety Input on May 2025 Cellcom Outage
The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau is seeking input from public safety agencies, government entities, and the public on the impacts of a service outage in Wisconsin and Michigan experienced by Cellcom in May 2025
APCO First Vice President Jack Varnado Participates in FCC Hurricane Resiliency Roundtable
On July 7, APCO International First Vice President Jack Varnado served as a panelist during the FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau’s Hurricane Season Resiliency Roundtable.
APCO Comments Wireless E911 Location Accuracy
APCO Urges Technical Flexibility in the 4.9 GHz Band to Support 5G Deployments
APCO urged the FCC to amend its technical rules governing the 4.9 GHz band to support the deployment of advanced technologies, such as 5G
APCO Urges the FCC to Preserve Important Public Safety Rules, Including 9-1-1 Outage Reporting Obligations, Amid Proposals for Removal
APCO urged the FCC to retain important public safety requirements in the face of requests for deregulation in the FCC’s “In re Delete, Delete, Delete” proceeding, which seeks public feedback on rules the FCC should eliminate.
APCO International Guidance on Requesting 9-1-1 Traffic in IP-Based Format
On March 25, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that 9-1-1 authorities can make requests to originating service providers (OSPs) to begin the process of delivering 9-1-1 traffic in IP-based format to delivery points designated by the 9-1-1 authority. This document informs APCO members of the FCC requirements regarding these requests and provides guidance […]
APCO Applauds FCC Action Securing 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., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a long-anticipated Report and Order concerning licensing and use of the 4.9 GHz band.
APCO Applauds FCC Action to Support Next Generation 9-1-1
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an Order that establishes new rules to facilitate the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).
APCO Discusses ECCs’ Needs for NG9-1-1 With FCC Staff
APCO met with representatives of the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to discuss the FCC’s proposed rules to facilitate Next Generation 9-1-1.
APCO Responds to Comments in FCC Proceeding on Next Generation 9-1-1
On September 8, APCO filed reply comments regarding the FCC’s proposed rules to facilitate the transition to NG9-1-1.
APCO and Others Oppose Request to Waive 6 GHz Protections
On September 7, APCO joined several organizations in opposing a request by Extreme Networks to waive certain protections for 6 GHz licensees.
FCC Instructs 6 GHz Temporary Fixed Station Licensees to Register in ULS
On September 6, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau announced that the FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) will now accept applications for temporary fixed stations operating in the 6 GHz band.
APCO Files Comments in FCC Proceeding to Facilitate the Transition to Next Generation 9-1-1
On August 9, APCO filed comments with the FCC regarding proposed rules to facilitate the transition to NG9-1-1.
APCO Continues Efforts to Protect 6 GHz Public Safety Spectrum
APCO and other organizations representing users of the 6 GHz band met with FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s office to discuss actions the FCC should take to ensure public safety agencies and other users of the 6 GHz band are protected from interference from unlicensed devices.
FCC Regulatory Update
Senior officials from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau provided updates on agency regulations impacting 9-1-1, including public safety spectrum, location-based routing, 9-1-1 location accuracy, network resiliency, and outage reporting.
APCO 2023: Second General Business Session
APCO International’s new second vice president is Mark Spross of the Oregon chapter, selected by the assembled membership at the second General Business Session of APCO 2024 held Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee.
APCO Continues Efforts to Protect 6 GHz Public Safety Spectrum
APCO and other organizations FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s office to discuss actions the FCC should take to ensure public safety agencies and other users of the 6 GHz band are protected from interference from unlicensed devices.
APCO Statement on FCC Nominations
Alexandria, VA – Today, President Biden announced the nomination of Anna Gomez to serve as Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the renominations of current Commissioners Carr and Starks. Ms. Gomez has a distinguished record of promoting public safety communications including during her tenure as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Administrator at the National […]
FCC Regulatory Update
Representatives from the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau provided updates on agency regulations impacting 9-1-1, including public safety spectrum, location-based routing, 9-1-1 location accuracy, text-to-911, and fee diversion.
APCO, UTC, IAFC, NPSTC etc.: Petition for Rulemaking: Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band
APCO, UTC, IAFC, NPSTC etc.: Request for Stay: Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band
APCO Congratulates FCC Chairwoman on Senate Confirmation
Today, the United States Senate voted to confirm FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to serve another five-year term at the Federal Communications Commission. Rosenworcel was first appointed as an FCC Commissioner in 2012 and is the first woman to be designated as permanent chair.
