WASHINGTON, D.C., (February 6, 2024) – The Coalition for Emergency Response and Critical Infrastructure (CERCI), a broad-based coalition of public-safety, critical infrastructure industry (CII), and telecommunications entities, today submitted a filing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expressing unwavering support for the “locally controlled, public-safety nature” of the 4.9 GHz spectrum band. In the filing, CERCI emphasizes the importance of maximizing the benefits of the band to address local public-safety needs while facilitating use through leasing to compatible, non-competing, and public-safety approved critical infrastructure industry (CII) operations.

CERCI’s filing outlines key recommendations to the FCC:

1) Ensuring Local Public-Safety Control: CERCI urges the Commission to ensure meaningful local control of the 4.9 GHz band, emphasizing local decision-making for optimal use that aligns with jurisdiction-specific needs.

2) Supporting Local Decision Making on Leasing: CERCI endorses the “Model 2” leasing framework, enabling local decision-making on leasing to compatible CII entities. This approach ensures coordination and approval by the Band Manager while preserving public-safety licensees’ decision-making authority.

3) Rejecting Nationwide FirstNet Licensing: CERCI opposes nationwide FirstNet licensing, emphasizing that it would compromise “local control” and limit local-public-safety officials to predetermined options from a national network provider.

Read the full filing HERE.

CERCI’s positions are backed by notable public-safety, CII, and commercial stakeholders. Recent additions to CERCI’s membership include the California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA), the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT), and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

To learn more about the CERCI and read the full letter to the FCC, please visit responsecoalition.com.

CONTACT: Jo Maney (jmaney@bgrpr.com)

ABOUT THE COALITION FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The Coalition for Emergency Response and Critical Infrastructure (CERCI) is committed to maintaining local control of vital 4.9 GHz public-safety spectrum and working with the FCC to promote innovative usage of the band including non-interfering critical infrastructure uses. The founding members of the CERCI are Competitive Carriers Association, Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffs Association, T-Mobile, Verizon, and UScellular. Additional members include the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies.