In the world of public safety, the most critical infrastructure is often the one you cannot see. While police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances are visible to the naked eye, the invisible lifeblood of public safety is the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. Because the RF spectrum is a public resource, U.S. spectrum allocation is managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“Essentially, spectrum allocation is how we decide who can use specific radio frequencies and for what purpose,” says John Paul Jones, Executive Director of the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA). “For public safety, that decision is critical because communications are mission-essential. Firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS, and emergency managers rely on that spectrum to coordinate operations, share situational awareness, and ultimately save lives.”
As the digital landscape evolves, the fight for dedicated “lanes” on the information highway—specifically in the 700 MHz and 4.9 GHz bands—has become the defining challenge for the future of critical communications.
Understanding Spectrum Allocation for Public Safety
To understand why effective spectrum allocation is so vital to public safety, one must look at the alternative. Without access to protected, allocated spectrum, first responders are forced to compete with the general public for cellular telephone bandwidth. During a major disaster, when thousands of civilians are streaming video or calling loved ones, commercial networks often overload—blocking the very first responder communications needed to manage the crisis.
“If public safety doesn’t have reliable, protected access to the RF spectrum, communications can fail at the exact moment they are needed most. That is the ‘why’ in a nutshell,” Jones explains.
This necessity is codified in federal regulations like 47 CFR Part 90, the rulebook that governs private land mobile radio services and public safety pools. These rules are designed to create “exclusive real estate” for first responders, to ensure that their signals get through during major emergencies. Since the tragic communication failures of 9/11, there has been a concerted national movement to move away from fragmented, local allocations toward a unified, nationwide strategy—a movement that culminated in the creation of the FirstNet Authority. It operates FirstNet, the Congressionally authorized nationwide broadband wireless network dedicated to public safety communications.
FirstNet and Dedicated Public Safety Bands
As a network purpose-built to put first responders first, FirstNet is a major advance in how America manages public safety communications.
The philosophy behind FirstNet is simple: distinct requirements demand distinct resources. “The substance of the philosophy behind FirstNet begins and ends with RF spectrum, because that is the backbone,” says Jones. “In this mix, Band 14—a VIP lane reserved for public safety users—is the backbone of FirstNet, and FirstNet is the backbone of public safety communications.”
Unlike commercial networks that are optimized for profit, FirstNet is optimized for survival. It is managed in this fashion by the FirstNet Authority, which ensures that the network evolves to meet the needs of first responders rather than shareholders.
“FirstNet doesn’t exist for profit, it exists for service,” said Michael A. Barnbeck, PSBTA Deputy Executive Director. “That’s why Congress created it, and why the FirstNet Authority has been given special access to America’s airwaves. This is why FirstNet has exclusive access to Band 14, and why the FCC has authorized a Band Manager to share the 4.9 GHz band—which is already being used by many first responder agencies—with FirstNet.”
Band 14 Advantages for First Responders
The crown jewel of the FirstNet network is Band 14, a 20 MHz slice of the 700 MHz spectrum. Operated under a competitively-bid contract by AT&T, Band 14 is managed to give first responder communications priority service whenever necessary—just like a VIP lane on a highway.
Here’s how Band 14 works: On a normal day, traffic flows smoothly in this lane. But during rush hour—or a mass casualty event—when the main highway (commercial spectrum) is gridlocked, the Band 14 VIP lane remains open exclusively for police, fire, and EMS. This dedicated public safety band ensures that while the public might struggle to post on social media, the Incident Commander can still download building schematics or coordinate a medevac.
“Band 14 is a game-changer because it provides excellent coverage, strong signal penetration, and—most importantly—exclusive access for public safety users when they need it,” Jones said.
The 700 MHz band is referred to as “beachfront property” in wireless communications due to its unique physical properties. It sits in a “Goldilocks zone”: the frequency range is low enough to allow signals in this band to penetrate thick concrete walls, basements, and parking garages (essential for urban search and rescue), yet high enough to carry significant data loads for voice, video, and data traffic.
Ensuring Reliability During Emergencies
The difference between a commercial wireless network and the FirstNet public safety network comes down to their fundamental engineering models: the “Efficiency Model” versus the “Response Model.”
“Commercial carriers operate on an ‘efficiency model’: they find the most efficient way to operate by pushing right up against failure points,” said Jones. In the commercial world, unused capacity is wasted money. Consequently, commercial networks are designed to run near 100% capacity at all times. When a crisis hits and traffic spikes, there is no room left, leading to dropped calls and throttled data.
Public safety cannot afford that risk. It needs to have extra network capacity available at all times, so that traffic jams don’t occur. “We need a ‘response model’ with built-in resilience—what we call ‘public safety grade’,” Jones explained. “It’s essentially MIL-SPEC for first responder communications. It has the headroom, and resiliency to keep functioning in all situations.”
Priority and Preemption in Action
The operationalizing of the FirstNet “Response Model” is achieved through two key mechanisms: priority and preemption.
- Priority moves first responders to the front of the line on Band 14 when the network is busy.
- Preemption is the “nuclear option.” If Band 14 is fully saturated, FirstNet will actively disconnect non-emergency commercial users to clear this VIP lane for public safety.
“During major incidents when networks are overloaded, FirstNet stands alone because it offers the only true definition of priority and preemption for public safety,” said Jones. He contrasted this FirstNet capability with commercial carriers who claim similar features but often rely on software-based “sleight of hand” or outdated voice-only systems like Wireless Priority Service (WPS). “True priority and preemption ensure first responder communications continue uninterrupted.”
Spectrum Allocation Table
As the demand for first responder communications grows—driven by drones, body cameras, and IoT sensors—public safety needs to expand beyond just 700 MHz. This has led to the fight for the 4.9 GHz band, a block of mid-band spectrum perfect for 5G capacity.
The following table breaks down the primary frequency bands currently shaping the future of emergency response networks:
| Frequency Band | Primary Use Case | Key Characteristics | Status |
| 700 MHz (Band 14) | Wide Area Coverage & Penetration | Excellent range; penetrates buildings; the “backbone” of FirstNet. | Allocated & Operational |
| 4.9 GHz (Subpart Y) | High Capacity & 5G Data | “Mid-band” speed; supports heavy data (video/drones); shorter range than 700 MHz. | Frozen / New Framework Pending |
| 800 MHz | Voice / LMR | Traditional two-way radio voice communications; standard for local agencies. | Legacy / Operational |
The allocation of 4.9 GHz is currently a subject of intense debate. The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) has commended the FCC for moving toward a framework that allows the FirstNet Authority to manage this band, arguing it creates a unified 5G ecosystem for public safety communications. Conversely, commercial competitors have formed alliances to oppose this, hoping to keep the spectrum fragmented or available for commercial use.
- Read more: The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance Commends the FCC on its Decision
- Read more: A Look at the Opposition to Public Safety 4.9 GHz
Why Support the Reauthorization of FirstNet
The success of Band 14 and the potential of 4.9 GHz are not guaranteed in perpetuity. The legislation that created FirstNet includes a sunset clause, and the FirstNet Authority must be reauthorized by Congress to continue its mission beyond 2027.
The PSBTA and other first responder groups want Congress to reauthorize FirstNet indefinitely. “Reauthorization provides long-term certainty,” Jones asserted. “It ensures continued access to dedicated spectrum, sustained investment in the infrastructure to support it, and the ability to evolve with technology.”
At present, the FirstNet Authority is investing $6.3 billion in user fees (no taxpayer dollars) to upgrade the network to 5G, an investment that relies on the stability of its congressional mandate. Without reauthorization, the sector risks sliding back into the pre-9/11 era of fragmentation, where agencies are left to fend for themselves with incompatible systems.
“We are in the fourth quarter. It is the 11th hour. We cannot let off the gas,” warned Jones. “Supporting FirstNet and its reauthorization is about ensuring first responders have reliable, mission-critical communications today and in the future. We trust that Congress will do the right thing.”
FAQ
Why is FirstNet better for first responders than commercial networks?
FirstNet provides first responders with priority service on Band 14, the VIP communications lane that no other carrier has access to. This ensures that emergency traffic is never blocked by commercial congestion.
What makes the FirstNet network different from T-Mobile or Verizon?
FirstNet offers priority and preemption service to first responders by separating their video, voice, and data calls from all other traffic. T-Mobile and Verizon do not offer this hardware-based separation, which can lead to first responders not getting through.
What is spectrum allocation?
Spectrum allocation is the government process of designating specific radio frequencies for specific uses. For public safety, the FCC ensures that critical bands (like 700 MHz and 4.9 GHz) are reserved for emergency communications, preventing interference from commercial devices.
Why is the 4.9 GHz band important?
The 4.9 GHz band is a “mid-band” spectrum that supports high-speed 5G data. Allocating this to the FirstNet Authority would allow first responders to use augmented reality and live drone streaming without clogging the lower-band networks.
Who can use the First Responder Network and how do they qualify?
FirstNet is available to law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, and other critical support entities. The specific details for eligibility can be found on the FirstNet website.
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