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POLICY INITIATIVE: FCC PETITION FOR RULEMAKING – PART 90 SIGNAL BOOSTERS FCC RM-12009 | SBC Petition Filed July 2025 SBC filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the FCC requesting clear, enforceable rules governing Part 90 signal boosters used in Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES). The public comment period drew an extraordinary response. Since FirstNet is Part 90 spectrum, FirstNet, AT&T, and Public Safety have a vested interest in the outcome of this Petition.
The Problem Current FCC rules governing Part 90 signal boosters in ERCES are vague and inconsistently applied, leading to interference with public safety radio systems and compliance confusion. A single poorly installed signal booster can degrade communications across an entire public safety radio system, putting first responders at risk. The Cost Fairfax County, Virginia has spent over $400,000 addressing signal booster interference issues. San Francisco estimated the national cost impact at $1 billion. These are real costs borne by local governments and ultimately by taxpayers. Who Supports This Petition Support spans the entire public safety and wireless ecosystem: APCO International, IAFC, IACP, NASFM, NFPA, the New Jersey State Police, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Motorola Solutions, JVCKenwood, Nextivity, SureCall, ADRF, Westell, Comba Telecom, and dozens more. What SBC Asks We urge the FCC to proceed to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish clear technical standards, authorization frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms for Part 90 signal boosters used in life-safety ERCES installations. Zero stakeholders oppose the existence of the problem; near-unanimous consensus supports FCC action.
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