The FCC has adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) which proposes to enable wireless communications for unmanned aircraft system use in the 5030-5091 MHz band. The Commission is also seeking comment on whether these actions are necessary for such use on flexible-use wireless networks. In a statement, the Chairwoman highlighted the importance of unmanned aircraft use in disaster recovery, first responder rescue efforts, and wildfire management. Developed in collaboration with the FAA and NTIA, the NPRM seeks comment on a potential process for unmanned aircraft operators to get licenses in the aeronautical VHF band for communication with air traffic control and also seeks comments on the sufficiency of rules for co-existence with terrestrial mobile operations.
