Policy Areas

The FCC and other federal agencies offer a wide range of communications services that support government, industry, and first responders in performing their Public Safety and Homeland Security missions. Such services include:

9-1-1 Services

The official emergency number in the United States and Canada is 911. Dialing 911 quickly connects a caller to a nearby Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatcher who is trained to route your call to local emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement agencies. Learn More >>

Amateur Radio services

The FCC established the amateur radio service as a voluntary non-commercial radio communications service that allows licensed operators to improve their communications and technical skills, while providing the nation with a pool of trained radio operators and technicians who can provide essential communications during emergencies. This page discusses the rules applicable to amateur radio services and compiles a group of best practice guidelines from across the nation. Learn More >>

CALEA

The U.S. Congress passed the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) to aid law enforcement in its effort to conduct criminal investigations requiring wiretapping of digital telephone networks.   Learn More >>

Emergency Alert System (EAS)

EAS is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service providers to provide communications capability to the President to address the public during a National emergency.   Learn More >>

Commercial Mobile Telephone Alerts (CMAS)

In April 2008, the Commission adopted technical requirements for a Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) - a system by which commercial mobile service (CMS) providers may transmit emergency alerts to their subscribers, if they choose to do so. Learn More >>

Priority Services

The Federal government has three excellent priority communications programs to help ensure these vital calls get through and that telecommunications services are restored or added on a priority basis.    Learn More >>