Broadband & Public Safety and Homeland Security

The FCC is currently working to expand the deployment of broadband technologies so that robust and reliable broadband products and services are available to all Americans. The term "broadband" refers to advanced communications systems capable of providing high-speed transmission of services such as data, voice, and video over the Internet and other networks.

Broadband technology is particularly critical to public safety because it can provide enhanced situational awareness from first responders in emergency situations. Through broadband use, public safety entities can access medical records, site information and other video and data information useful for emergency responses. Broadband will also improve the nation’s current 9-1-1 system by establishing the foundation for the transmission of voice, data or video to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) during emergency phone calls.

The FCC's PSHSB broadband goals are to examine existing and potential uses of broadband technology by public safety entities and ways in which broadband technology can enhance homeland security.

National Broadband Plan

• Executive Summary (pdf)
• National Broadband Plan
• Public Safety and Homeland Security Highlights
• Public Safety and Homeland Security Elements of the National Broadband Plan

Public Safety Events

• 3/22/10
  Colloquium on Public Safety Portion of the National Broadband Plan
  News Release: Word | Acrobat
  Agenda: Acrobat
  Presentation: Acrobat
  
• 3/2/10
  Public Forum to Create an Emergency Response Interoperability Center (ERIC)
  News Release: Word | Acrobat
  Concept Paper: Word | Acrobat
  Transcript: Word | Acrobat
  Webpage: ERIC
• 11/12/09
  Broadband Field Hearing: Public Safety Concerns and Emergency Response
• 9/30/09
  Broadband Workshop: Cyber Security
• 8/25/09
  Broadband Workshop: Public Safety and Homeland Security
• FCC meets with Public Safety leaders

Public Safety Broadband Network Fact Sheets

• Long Term Evolution (LTE) Public Safety Information Sheet (pdf)

Public Safety Presentations

• 6/22/10
  UASI National Conference, New Orleans, LA (pdf)
  
• 3/9/10
  The Public Safety Broadband Wireless Network: 21st Century Communications for First Responders (pdf)

Releases

• 9/16/10
  FCC Extends Deadline for Nominations for Membership on the Emergency Response Interoperability Center Public Safety Advisory Committee.
  Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
• 8/18/10
  FCC Seeks Nominations by September 17, 2010, for Membership on the Emergency Response Interoperability Center Public Safety Advisory Committee.
  Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
  
• 8/17/10
  The FCC's Public Safety Bureau provides 700 MHz broadband waiver recipients additional time to more fully develop and finalize their network interoperability plans.
  Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
  
• 8/11/2010
  Implementing a Nationwide, Broadband, Interoperable Public Safety Network in the 700 MHz Band.
  Order: Word | Acrobat
• 8/9/10
  FCC Seeks Public Comment on National Broadband Plan Recommendation to Create a Cybersecurity Roadmap.
  Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
  
• 7/22/10
  FCC Extends Comment Period on the Impact to Broadband Communications Networks from Equipment Failures or Severe Overloads.
  Order: Word | Acrobat
  
• 8/11/2010
  Implementing a Nationwide, Broadband, Interoperable Public Safety Network in the 700 MHz Band.
  Order: Word | Acrobat
• 6/21/10
  Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Appoints Members to the Emergency Response Interoperability Center Technical Advisory Committee.
  Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
  
• 6/18/10
  Office of Management and Budget Grants Emergency Approval For Information Collection Mandated Under 700 MHZ Waiver Petition Order in PS Docket 06-229.
  Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
  
• 6/17/10
  Statement of James Arden Barnett, Jr.
  Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
  Legislative Hearing on the Public Safety Broadband Network and H.R. 4829
  Before the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet Committee on Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives.
  Final Testimony: Acrobat
  
• 6/15/10
  FCC Releases Comprehensive Analysis on Network Capacity for Nationwide Mobile Public Safety Broadband Network.
  News Release: Word | Acrobat
  White Paper: Word | Acrobat
  
• 5/18/10
  Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Seeks Comment on Interoperability, Out of Band Emissions, and Equipment Certification for 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Networks.
  Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
  
• 5/12/10
  FCC Grants Conditional Approval of 21 Petitions by Cities, Counties and States to Build Interoperable Broadband Networks for America's First Responders.
  News Release: Word | Acrobat
  Order: Word | Acrobat
• 4/23/10
  FCC Outlines Economically Viable Way to Build a Public Safety Broadband Network Across America.
  News Release: Word | Acrobat
  Cost Model: Acrobat
  
• 4/21/10
  Cyber Security Certification Program.
  News Release: Word | Acrobat
  Notice of Inquiry: Word | Acrobat
  Genachowski Statement: Word | Acrobat
  Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
  McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
  Clyburn Statement: Word | Acrobat
  Baker Statement: Word | Acrobat