The FCC's Public Safety Broadband Blueprint: A Cost-Efficient and Effective Solution for Our Nation's First Responders

The National Broadband Plan outlines the deployment of a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network with dedicated capacity for public safety uses that will serve our brave first responders. The public safety network will be a multi-pronged initiative that will be a model of greater reliability and resiliency, capacity and cost savings. Further, public safety will have access to 10 MHz of dedicated capacity as well as to commercial broadband capacity on a priority basis (up to 80 MHz of capacity in total). This more robust and hardened public safety broadband network will provide reliable service to first responders, who everyday are dedicated to serving their communities across the country. The ability to roam onto commercial networks and obtain priority access in times of emergency will expand and enhance current capacity, and resiliency. Further, public safety will have a choice of commercial partners, ensuring that its needs are met in the most efficient manner.