In a recent escalation of efforts to influence federal telecommunications policy, two prominent border sheriff coalitions have articulated strong opposition to a proposal before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Southwest Border Sheriffs’ Coalition and the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition are vehemently against handing over control of the crucial 4.9 GHz public safety band to an AT&T-affiliated entity, FirstNet.
Border Sheriffs Want Control Of 4.9 GHz Band To Stay Local: Preserving Local Authority
The coalitions, representing border regions, have made a formal plea to the FCC, urging the agency to reconsider its stance on awarding FirstNet a nationwide license for the 4.9 GHz spectrum. This license would also empower FirstNet to select a band manager, a move the sheriffs argue could severely undermine local control over public safety communications.
“The Border Sheriffs are unified with numerous other public safety groups in insisting that the 4.9 GHz band should remain a resource for local, public safety use, not be managed by FirstNet,” the groups emphasized in their collective statement.
Border Sheriffs Want Control Of 4.9 GHz Band To Stay Local: The Threat of Reduced Local Control
These sheriffs assert that shifting control to FirstNet could potentially displace existing public safety operations currently utilizing the band, compelling them to integrate into the National Public Safety Broadband Network. Such a change, they fear, would strip local agencies of their ability to tailor communications systems to meet specific regional needs, thus diluting the effectiveness of local emergency response efforts.
