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4.9 GHz: What Now?

Donny Jackson  (Editor, IWCE's Urgent Communications)

Jeff Johnson  (CEO , Western Fire Chiefs Association)

John Foley  (Managing Director, Safer Buildings Coalition)

Winston Beauchamp  ( Deputy Chief Information Officer , US Department of the Air Force)

Location: N259

Date: Wednesday, March 29

Time: 10:15 am - 11:15 am

Pass Type: All Access, Standard, Quick Pass Wednesday

Track: Broadband

Format: Panel Session

Vault Recording: TBD

For more than 15 years, 50 MHz of spectrum in the 4.9 GHz band has been dedicated for public-safety use, although many have questioned its utilization level through the years. An FCC order in late 2020 proposed allowing states to oversee these airwaves, but that ruling was quickly nixed the following year. Now, the FCC is considering new rules for the band, with most expecting that they could be in place by IWCE.

Should this band be used to enable 5G access, backhaul, direct-mode communications or something else? Will entities other than public safety be allowed to utilize the spectrum? How will the band be managed? What can be done to encourage vendors to develop solutions that leverage these airwaves? Join us to listen to a panel of experts debate these questions and more, as well as to get an update on the latest 4.9 GHz developments.