NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
January 25, 2011  Robert Kenny 202-418-2668
Email: robert.kenny@fcc.gov
FCC TAKES ACTION TO ADVANCE NATIONWIDE BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS FOR 
AMERICA’S FIRST RESPONDERS
FCC Takes Significant Steps toward Solving Problems Identified by 9/11 Commission
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today adopted a Third Report and Order 
(Order) and Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) that will significantly advance 
communications interoperability for our Nation’s first responders. The rules adopted and proposed in today’s 
Order and FNPRM support the build out of robust, dedicated and secure mobile broadband networks that will 
enable public safety broadband users to share information, videos, photos and emails across departments and 
jurisdictions nationwide for day-to-day operations and during large-scale emergencies. 
The Order and FNPRM requires all 700 MHz public safety mobile broadband networks to use a common air 
interface, specifically Long Term Evolution (LTE), to support roaming and interoperable communications 
and seeks comment on additional rules to enable nationwide interoperability.  The FCC’s actions today build 
on the technical requirements that state and local 700 MHz broadband waiver recipients are already subject 
to in the early buildout of their regional public safety broadband networks.      
The FNPRM seeks public comment on, among other things:
· The architectural vision of the network;
· The effectiveness of open standards;
· Interconnectivity between networks;
· Network robustness and resiliency;
· Security and encryption;Coverage and coverage reliability requirements;
· Roaming and priority access between public safety broadband networks; and
· Interference coordination and protection.
The deadlines for public comments and reply comments on the FNPRM are 45 days and 75 days, 
respectively, after publication in the Federal Registry.
Action by the Commission January 25, 2011, by Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 
11-6). Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn, and Baker. Separate 
statements issued by Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn, and Baker. 
For additional information, please contact Jennifer Manner, Deputy Bureau Chief, PSHSB, at (202) 418-
3619 or Jennifer.Manner@fcc.gov; or David Furth, Deputy Bureau Chief, PSHSB, at (202) 418-0632 or 
David.Furth@fcc.gov.
-FCC-