The FCC has adopted a Seventh Report and Order and Ninth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking modifying the 4.9 GHz band rules. The R&O solidifies the 4.9 GHz band as public safety spectrum while also allowing secondary, non-public safety use as agreed to by public safety licensees through a new leasing model. A nationwide Band Manager will be selected to coordinate all of the operations in the band to ensure that non-public safety use remains fully secondary to public safety operations.
The Ninth FNPRM seeks comment on how specifically the FCC should implement the new leasing model to allow for robust locally controlled public safety operations while ensuring that the FCC is promoting spectral efficiency and innovation.
