On September 28, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released new guidance aimed at smoothing the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) for multi-line telephone systems (MLTS), originating service providers (OSPs), NG9-1-1 service providers, and 9-1-1 authorities.
FCC Launches Broad Review of Its 9-1-1 Regulatory Framework
On September 30, the Federal Communications Commission launched a broad examination of the FCC’s framework for regulating 9-1-1. Citing “an era of rapid technological change,” the Commission’s Notice of Inquiry invites the public to consider how new technologies and services could reshape 9-1-1 in ways that may not be accounted for by its current regulatory framework.
FCC Reminds Communications Providers That They Must Comply With 9-1-1 Outage Notification Obligations
For years, APCO has urged the Federal Communications Commission to take steps to make providers’ outage reports more useful to the emergency communications centers that rely on them to assess the impact of network outages and implement mitigation strategies.
FCC Begins 4.9 GHz Band Manager Selection Process — Nominations for Stakeholder Selection Committee Due October 28, 2026
The FCC has launched the process to select a 4.9 GHz Band Manager, an entity that would protect incumbent public safety operations, help coordinate and promote efficient and more intensive use of the 4.9 GHz band, support deployment of advanced technologies and manage spectrum-sharing arrangements.
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.
Federal Agencies Take Steps to Promote State and Local Drone Defense
On July 1-2, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and Federal Communications Commission took steps to establish a framework for state, local, Tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement and correctional agencies to obtain and use capabilities to defend against hostile drones.
APCO Applauds FCC Actions to Modernize 9-1-1 Reliability Requirements and Improve Emergency Alerts
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted two orders that advance the interests of public safety by modernizing 9-1-1 reliability requirements and strengthening the security of emergency alerting systems.
Federal Communications Commission Will Vote on NG9-1-1 Reliability and Emergency Alerting Measures Next Week
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has announced his proposed agenda for the Commission Meeting scheduled for June 25. Among other items, the FCC commissioners are scheduled to vote on public safety matters of particular importance to APCO members.
The FCC Takes Action to Modernize Disaster Information Reporting System
On May 21, the FCC unanimously adopted measures to modernize its web-based Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). The FCC uses DIRS to gather information about service disruptions during disasters.
FCC Selects APCO CTO To Participate in Advisory Council
This week, the Federal Communications Commission announced the members of its Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC), including APCO’s Chief Technology Officer Stephen Devine.
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.
FCC Advances New Enhancements for Wireless Emergency Alerts
On December 18, the Federal Communications Commission set effective dates for new rules enhancing the multilingual capabilities for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs).
APCO Provides Comments to Improve Interoperability and Reliability for NG9-1-1 Systems
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.
