FCC Petition Filed: Signal Booster Authorization Framework - What You Need to Know

Filed July 22, 2025

Executive Summary

The Safer Buildings Coalition has filed a formal petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requesting amendments to 47 CFR § 90.219 to establish a comprehensive authorization framework for Part 90 industrial signal boosters.

Signal boosters are an important tool for addressing in-building wireless coverage gaps that ensure reliable public safety communications. However, while FCC rules require "express consent" from frequency licensees before installation, no standardized framework exists for requesting, evaluating, granting, or tracking this consent. The absence of rule-based coordination procedures has led to improper deployments that can cause harmful noise and interference with the very systems they are designed to support, while creating resource drain and inefficient use of staff and budget across federal, state, and local agencies.

The petition establishes clear, standardized procedures that reinforce licensee authority while reducing administrative burden through published technical criteria, streamlined compliance processes, and systematic tracking. By addressing coordination failures proactively, the framework reduces the need for reactive government enforcement while leveraging market-based solutions. The petition creates these standardized procedures for the "express consent" requirement established in the 2013 Report and Order (WT Docket No. 10-4).

The Context: Essential Technology Without Coordination Framework

Signal Boosters: Essential Technology Lacking Coordination Procedures

Signal boosters (also called Bi-Directional Amplifiers or BDAs) address in-building coverage problems in weak signal areas. Fire and building codes and standards have required solutions to ensure adequate first responder communication coverage inside buildings since 2009, with signal boosters being the most common technology deployed to meet these performance requirements.

These signal boosters are the core component of Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) - the current standard terminology in fire and building codes and standards. ERCES are complete solutions that include signal boosters, cabling, antennas, couplers, power supplies, and other components needed to provide reliable in-building coverage. While the entire ERCES system is needed for a complete solution, signal boosters and their performance are specifically referenced in FCC Part 90 rules, which is the focus of this petition.

The technology itself is valuable and necessary - but the lack of a standardized coordination framework is the root cause of current problems.

The Missing Framework: Multiple Coordination Problems

• No Clear Process: Current rules require "express consent" but provide no standardized procedures for requesting, evaluating, or granting permission
• Unpublished Requirements: Without clear, published technical criteria, building owners cannot plan effectively, system integration contractors cannot design to meet licensee needs and expectations, and competitive bidding becomes difficult
• Role Confusion: Without clear framework, misunderstanding develops between code enforcement and public safety network operations
• Authority Gaps: Unclear duties and responsibilities decrease effectiveness of essential deployments
• Project Uncertainty: Building owners face unpredictable approval processes causing occupancy permit delays
• Resource Strain: Public safety agencies handle ad-hoc requests without standardized procedures or professional support, creating inefficient use of staff time and budget
• Lack of Tracking: Without systematic tracking, harmful noise and interference hunting and mitigation become more difficult, and system updates and continuing maintenance are harder to coordinate

Broad Recognition of Coordination Challenges

Multiple organizations have documented these coordination process gaps. The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) established the Bi-Directional Amplifier Focus Group specifically to address these issues, documenting that "unknown implementations and operations of uncoordinated Bi-Directional Amplifiers is causing harmful noise and interference to public safety radio systems." An APCO survey of public safety agencies confirmed widespread deployment challenges, while SBC's No Noise Task Force brought together industry veterans to develop solutions for these coordination problems. Supporting documentation and references are included in the filed petition.

Benefits of the Authorization Framework

Life Safety Protection:

• First Responder Safety: Framework directly addresses DHS/CISA documented concerns that uncoordinated signal boosters are "potentially placing first responders in jeopardy"
• Emergency Communication Reliability: Addresses cases of signal booster harmful noise and interference blocking critical communications during incidents
• Resource Protection: Reduces diversion of essential public safety personnel from emergency response duties and eliminates inefficient use of agency staff and budget

For Public Safety Operations:

• Communication Reliability: Reduces harmful noise and interference with critical emergency communications during incidents
• Professional Standards: Ensures signal booster systems are properly deployed and integrated to support public safety operations
• System Tracking: Comprehensive database with current contact information enables rapid identification of systems during troubleshooting
• Coordination Support: Leverages FCC and legislative precedents for optional third-party support services to assist agencies

For Building Owners and Contractors:

• Clear Procedures: Standardized process eliminates confusion and project delays
• Published Criteria: Requirement for licensees to publish technical criteria enables better planning and reduces costs
• Streamlined Process: Framework reduces expensive troubleshooting and rework through standardized coordination
• Compliance Certainty: Clear guidelines ensure federal regulatory compliance while meeting fire code requirements

For Regulatory Efficiency:

• Addresses Problems Proactively: Coordination reduces enforcement actions and harmful noise and interference complaints
• Market-Based Options: Petition suggests leveraging third-party coordination options, following established FCC precedents, rather than expanding government bureaucracy
• Streamlined Compliance: Standardized procedures reduce regulatory uncertainty and administrative burden
• Structured Approach: Provides clear, standardized procedures that reduce uncertainty and streamline compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are signal boosters and when do buildings need them?

A: Signal boosters (also called Bi-Directional Amplifiers or BDAs) address the well-established problem of "wireless dead zones" inside buildings that block critical public safety communications. The FCC has recognized that "signal booster systems play a crucial role in allowing public safety first-responders to communicate in buildings, tunnels and other areas where signals would normally be blocked." Under FCC rules, frequency licensees are permitted to grant express permission to building owners and their contractors to use signal boosters to address poor in-building public safety communications coverage.

Q: How do ERCES and signal boosters relate to building codes?

A: Fire and building codes and standards have required solutions to ensure adequate first responder communication coverage inside buildings since 2009, though these requirements have been continuously refined over time. Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and code official awareness of these requirements has grown significantly, leading to increased enforcement and more ERCES deployments.

Q: Where can I read the full petition?

A: The complete petition is available for download at SBC FCC Signal Booster Petition (PDF). 

Q: Why are coordination problems occurring now?

A: Rapid growth in coverage solution deployments driven by fire code requirements has exposed the absence of rule-based coordination procedures, creating a regulatory gap during significant deployment growth.

Q: Will this delay building projects?

A: No. The framework provides clear procedures with published criteria that reduce uncertainty and streamline coordination, actually reducing delays caused by current confusion.

Q: Does this create more red tape?

A: No. This streamlines existing requirements by providing clear procedures and leveraging market-based options rather than expanding government bureaucracy. It reduces regulatory burden by addressing problems before they require government enforcement action.

Filing Information

• Date Filed: July 22, 2025 (corrected filing, supersedes Submission IDs 1071895389395 and 107210863615884)
• Current Status: RECEIVED (not yet publicly disseminated by FCC) - status as of July 22, 2025
• Check Current Filing Status: FCC Filing Status
• Download Full Petition: SBC FCC Signal Booster Petition (PDF)
• Filed Document Title: Petition for Rulemaking - Revisions to 47 CFR Part 90 rules for Public Safety Communications and Signal Boosters
• Regulatory Citation: Request for amendments to 47 CFR § 90.219
• Document Length: 39 pages plus appendices
• Regulatory Precedent: Builds on 2013 Report and Order (WT Docket No. 10-4)
• Public Comment Process: FCC will issue Public Notice when filing status changes to "DISSEMINATED" and comment period opens (typically 30-day comment period, 15-day reply comment period)
• How to Follow: Monitor www.fcc.gov for Public Notice announcement or check filing status link above

IMPORTANT NOTE: Corrected Filing

• Supersedes Submission IDs 1071895389395 and 107210863615884
• Removed words “SBC Internal Confidential” and “DRAFT” from footer of original filing.
• Added Footnote on page 24 and updated subsequent footnote numbering 

About the Safer Buildings Coalition

SBC is an independent 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and the recognized thought leader on policies and technologies that ensure effective in-building communications for public safety personnel and the communities they serve. SBC authored the Complete ERCES Handbook, a foundational reference for the NICET Public Safety In-Building Communications (IB-PSC) Certification Program. SBC's mission focuses on eliminating wireless "dead zones" while combating harmful RF interference.

Contact Information

John Foley, Managing Director
Safer Buildings Coalition
[email protected]
(610) 291-3856
www.saferbuildings.org