APCO-AFC Announces No-Cost Filing for 4.9 GHz Fixed Operations License Updates

APCO-AFC is pleased to announce a special opportunity for incumbent public safety licensees operating in the 4.9 GHz band. As part of ongoing efforts to assist agencies in meeting new FCC licensing requirements, APCO-AFC will file PF (fixed point-to-point and point-to-multi-point) 4.9 GHz applications at no cost for eligible public safety licensees.

On December 9, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice requiring all 4.9 GHz public safety licensees to update their existing licenses with granular licensing data in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) by June 9, 2025. To support this effort, APCO-AFC previously announced special pricing for gathering and submitting this data. Now, in an expanded initiative, APCO-AFC is offering to file PF (fixed point-to-point and point-to-multi-point) applications free of charge for incumbent public safety licensees who submit the required information.

Eligibility and Process

To qualify for no-cost PF application filing, applicants must properly complete^* and submit:

• The 4.9 GHz PF Import Excel Worksheet
• The 4.9 GHz PF Administrative Worksheet
• Follow the Import Worksheet Guidelines

These resources are available through APCO-AFC, and agencies are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible to ensure compliance with the FCC’s June 9, 2025 deadline.

^*Worksheets that are deemed by APCO-AFC staff to be incomplete or incorrectly completed will not be eligible for the offer and the existing license preparation fees will apply: $200 per PF application and $150 per PB application. PB applications are not eligible for the offer currently due to FCC Electronic Batch Filing limitations. PB radio license applicants should continue to use our 4.9 GHz worksheet to submit their granular data.

Why This Matters

Updating 4.9 GHz licenses is essential to maintaining public safety communications and preventing interference. APCO-AFC’s expertise in frequency coordination and licensing ensures that agencies meet FCC requirements efficiently and accurately.

How to Get Started