Petitions OK'd to Build 700MHz First-Responder Networks

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) yesterday granted conditional approval of 21 petitions filed by cities, counties and states that sought waivers to move forward with the construction of regional or statewide interoperable wireless broadband networks in the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum. The Commission required these broadband networks to be deployed under a common interoperability framework in coordination with the FCC's Emergency Response Interoperability Center (ERIC).

The Order provides a path forward for states and local jurisdictions to proceed with the deployment of interoperable public safety broadband networks under uniform terms and conditions set forth under the waiver approvals. It also represents a critical first step toward the deployment of a fully nationwide interoperable network.

The jurisdictions granted waivers were: Adams County, Colo.; Alabama; Boston, Mass.; Northern California Consortium (Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose); Charlotte, N.C.; Chesapeake, Va.; District of Columbia; Hawaii and counties of Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, and city and county of Honolulu; Iowa; Los Angeles County; Mesa, Ariz. and TOPAZ Regional Wireless Cooperative; Mississippi; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York City; New York State; Oregon; Pembroke Pines, Fla.; San Antonio, Texas; Seattle, Wash.; Wisconsin Consortium (Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties).