Press Releases
Media Contact:
John Paul Jones
JPJones@thepsbta.org
816-590-3984
Public-Safety and Government Groups Express Support for Congress to Reauthorize the FirstNet
Working toward reauthorization, the FirstNet Authority received a strong response from public safety and government groups supporting its reauthorization. Established by Congress in 2021, the FirstNet Authority is up for reauthorization in 2027. In a proactive response, nineteen key public-safety and government-oriented groups expressed support through letters calling for Congress to reauthorize the FirstNet Authority before it sunsets in two years.
Technology Sessions – 4.9 GHz and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) and Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, Intl. (APCO) held a joint communications event March 18-19, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The Technology Sessions – 4.9 GHz and Artificial Intelligence (AI) featured several panel discussions highlighting the innovations and evolutions 4.9 GHz and AI have introduced into public safety communications.
Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network
In 2009, the leadership of the major public safety organizations came together for the first time ever to ask Congress for dedicated spectrum and funds to build out and maintain the first-ever dedicated Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). In 2012, the U.S. Congress allocated 20 MHz of spectrum (D Block), $7 billion to public safety, and created FirstNet and the governance framework, the FirstNet Authority.
Public Safety Thanks the FCC for Protecting 4.9 GHz
FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel and her fellow commissioners led a bipartisan ruling that protects public safety spectrum. “The PSSA and the thousands of first responders who have supported the process are grateful to the commissioners for listening to our collective voice allowing the band to be used by FirstNet,” said Sue Swenson, a PSSA member and former FirstNet Authority Chairwoman. “Today’s decision ensures that public safety will be able to meet its future spectrum needs,” added John Paul Jones, Executive Director of the PSBTA.public safety’s use of the historically underutilized 4.9 GHz spectrum band. The new rules safeguard
incumbent operations, establish a process to select a band manager, and make the spectrum available to
the FirstNet Authority for 5G deployment on the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (FirstNet).
Public safety is calling the FCC’s 4.9 decision a major win
In a unanimous, bipartisan, 4-0 decision, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is bolstering
public safety’s use of the historically underutilized 4.9 GHz spectrum band. The new rules safeguard
incumbent operations, establish a process to select a band manager, and make the spectrum available to
the FirstNet Authority for 5G deployment on the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (FirstNet).
PSSA Encourages Appointment of Commissioner Brendan Carr as Next Federal Communications Commission Chairman
Today the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) sent a letter to the Trump transition team strongly encouraging them to appoint Commissioner Brendan Carr as the next Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission on his first day in office.
The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance commends the FCC on its decision today to approve new FCC rules contained in WP Docket No. 07-100
The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA), a coalition of the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA), commends the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its decision today to approve new FCC rules contained in WP Docket No. 07-100. This amendment to Part 90 of the Commission’s Rules seeks to protect public safety operations in the 4.9 GHz spectrum band.
Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) and the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) Host Webinar for all Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWICs) to Discuss the 4.9 GHz Spectrum
The Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) stands ready to help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) improve real-time communications with its own law enforcement agency and partnering agencies in all levels of government — in order to boost patient and staff safety at the VA’s 1300-plus health care facilities.
PSBTA Offers Communications Support to VAPolice to Improve Patient, Staff Safety
The Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) stands ready to help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) improve real-time communications with its own law enforcement agency and partnering agencies in all levels of government — in order to boost patient and staff safety at the VA’s 1300-plus health care facilities.
Missouri Valley Division Alert: Important Information for Immediate Dissemination
We must advocate for the continuity of public safety operations by protecting the 4.9 GHz spectrum from potential commercial or non-public safety use.
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