Orientation summary — a fast, cited starting point, not a substitute for reading the filings. Generated from the public ECFS record.
Key issues (auto-discovered)
Accelerating UAS access to the 5030-5091 MHz band for enhanced operations.
Filers split on: “The FCC should accelerate UAS access to the 5030-5091 MHz band to facilitate robust UAS operations.”
9 filers engaged this issue.
- Ceres Air (support) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to accelerate UAS access to the 5030-5091 MHz band to support robust UAS operations and to enhance and streamline the interim access mechanism for UAS operators to ensure frictionless and widely accessible spectrum access.
- Aerospace Industries Association Air Line Pilo (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to prioritize finalizing existing proceedings for the 5030-5091 MHz and 450 MHz bands to expedite UAS development, support targeted UAS-related proceedings for specific frequency bands instead of a broad spectrum allocation approach, and explore mechanisms to simplify operational access within the 5030-5091 MHz band through scalable coordination frameworks.
- ATT Services (modify) — The FCC should adopt a multi-band, multi-use approach to spectrum allocation to support the diverse needs of UAS operations.
- Utilities Technology Council (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to promote LTE and 5G networks for UAS operations due to their suitability for low-altitude use and lack of interference with other operations, while also emphasizing the need for utilities to access licensed spectrum for BVLOS UAS operations to ensure safety and communication over large areas. Additionally, the commenter supports providing utilities and critical infrastructure operators access to specific frequency bands for operational reliability and emergency response, and calls for flexible-use licensing to allow for diverse applications beyond just drone use.
- Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems Inter (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to prioritize finalizing existing proceedings for the 5030-5091 MHz and 450 MHz bands due to their maturity and strong technical and safety records, expand the Interim Access Mechanism for the 5030-5091 MHz band to allow for more intensive operations prior to the implementation of final rules, and take Covered List status into account in the development of equipment authorization and spectrum access frameworks.
- AURA Network Systems (oppose) — The commenter argues that the Commission should reject any proposals to reallocate the 450 MHz AGRAS band to maintain its primary status for air-ground communications, while also suggesting that the FCC transition the band to a single geographic license with nationwide coverage to enhance UAS operations.
Modifying technical rules for the 450 MHz band to support UAS communications.
Filers split on: “The FCC should modify technical rules for the 450 MHz band to authorize and enable UAS communications services.”
8 filers engaged this issue.
- Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems Inter (support) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to modify technical rules for the 450 MHz band to support UAS communications, finalize rules for the 24.45-24.65 GHz band, initiate a proceeding to establish an altitude threshold for UAS operations regarding interference analysis, and issue a declaratory ruling to clarify Section 333's application to C-UAS technologies, particularly in distinguishing between passive detection and active jamming.
- AURA Network Systems (support) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to promptly finalize rules for the 450 MHz band to alleviate spectrum constraints, emphasizing its unique propagation characteristics that are essential for long-range UAS operations and the need for safety-critical connectivity in controlled airspace.
- Echodyne — The FCC should finalize permanent Part 90 rules for the 24.45–24.65 GHz band immediately to improve public safety through UAS monitoring and detection.
- Aerospace Industries Association Air Line Pilo (modify) — The commenter supports the Commission moving forward with final rules to authorize UAS communications in both the 450 MHz and 24 GHz bands, citing favorable records for the relevant petitions, while also urging the Commission to avoid policies that prioritize terrestrial communications over non-terrestrial and satellite-based solutions.
- Ceres Air (modify) — The FCC should authorize UAS operations on a variety of commercial wireless spectrum bands, including the Citizen Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) and other bands like 800 MHz, 1670-1675 MHz, 1.4 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, and 3.7 GHz.
- Wireless Infrastructure Association WIA (modify) — The FCC should adopt flexible, technology-neutral policies that leverage existing commercial wireless infrastructure to support innovation.
Updating the experimental licensing process to support UAS and C-UAS development.
Filers split on: “The FCC should modernize its experimental licensing framework for UAS and C-UAS to support industry growth and rapid deployment of technology.”
8 filers engaged this issue.
- Wireless Infrastructure Association WIA (support) — The FCC should streamline its experimental licensing processes to better accommodate modern UAS testing and development.
- D-Fend Solutions (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to modernize its experimental licensing framework for UAS and C-UAS to facilitate industry growth and the rapid deployment of technology, suggesting the extension of license renewals to 5-7 years and the creation of low-regulatory-burden pathways for C-UAS development and testing.
- Echodyne (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to adopt flexible licensing approaches for UAS detection, modernize the experimental licensing process to keep pace with technology, and implement a blanket experimental authorization with a modular approach to facilitate the testing of UAS technologies.
- Ceres Air (modify) — The commenter supports the implementation of streamlined experimental licensing for UAS operations, advocating for longer durations, expanded geographic coverage, expedited renewals, and a blanket authorization process, as well as the establishment of real-world test corridors and innovation zones to foster innovation and deployment.
- Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems Inter (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to establish a new Innovation Zone license category for UAS and C-UAS developers, emphasizing the need for streamlined application processes and broader geographic coverage, as well as reforming Part 5 to create an Operational C-UAS authorization category that allows for testing and mitigation within registered zones under specific technical and safety parameters.
- AeroVironment (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to facilitate C-UAS technology development by allowing manufacturers to obtain experimental licenses without federal review delays, creating a safe harbor from Section 333 to protect companies from criminal prosecution, and establishing a licensing or waiver process for importing Covered List drones for development purposes.
Creating a formalized coordination framework among FCC, FAA, and NTIA for UAS operations.
Filers split on: “The FCC should establish a formalized interagency coordination framework with the FAA and NTIA to ensure alignment on spectrum allocations and aviation safety standards.”
8 filers engaged this issue.
- Aerospace Industries Association Air Line Pilo (support) — The Commission should support the establishment of a formalized FCC-FAA-NTIA interagency coordination framework to ensure alignment on spectrum allocations and operational requirements for UAS.
- Wireless Infrastructure Association WIA (modify) — The commenter believes the FCC should prioritize preventing harmful interference to licensed operations and wireless communications infrastructure while facilitating new UAS or counter-UAS capabilities, ensure effective coordination with the FAA and other agencies for regulatory alignment, and adopt policies that support advanced wireless technologies to enhance UAS capabilities.
- Ceres Air (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to streamline coordination procedures among federal agencies to enhance UAS operations and reduce bottlenecks, and suggests implementing a unified database for UAS operators that would trigger simultaneous notifications to the FCC, FAA, and NTIA to further streamline these processes.
- AeroVironment — The FCC should create a clear and uniform framework allowing lawful and safe counter-UAS testing, development, and demonstrations.
- Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems Inter (support) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to implement a formalized interagency coordination framework with the FAA and NTIA for spectrum allocations and aviation safety, adopt a technology-neutral framework for UAS communications, develop a cross-agency process for spectrum use notifications, support a Trusted Vendor Fast Track for expedited manufacturer authorization, and establish a predictable review cycle for the Covered List with guidance on national security determinations.
- Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solut (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to take prompt action on established consensus positions regarding cellular-based UAS integration, recognize the importance of a standards-based electronic conspicuity architecture for UAS operations, and facilitate structured engagement among the FCC, NTIA, FAA, and the 3GPP standards community to align on UAS standardization and policy implications.
The removal of legacy airborne restrictions on spectrum bands to facilitate UAS operations.
Filers split on: “The FCC should lift legacy airborne restrictions in bands like 800 MHz Cellular and CBRS to facilitate UAS operations.”
7 filers engaged this issue.
- Wireless Infrastructure Association WIA (support) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to eliminate outdated regulatory barriers that hinder UAS operations, specifically calling for a review and removal of legacy airborne restrictions on spectrum bands, including the 800 MHz band, to support modern UAS activities.
- Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solut (support) — The FCC should lift legacy airborne restrictions in bands like 800 MHz Cellular and CBRS to facilitate UAS operations.
- Connected Devices for America Coalition (support) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to eliminate airborne restrictions in spectrum bands allocated for flexible use to enhance UAS and Counter-UAS capabilities, prioritize UAS operations over existing LTE and 5G networks by revisiting outdated restrictions, and specifically delete the prohibition on airborne use of cellular frequencies in the 800 MHz band to support UAS technologies.
- Utilities Technology Council (support) — The FCC should remove regulatory restrictions that prevent UAS operations in certain spectrum bands where there is no threat of radiofrequency interference to other operations.
- ATT Services (support) — The commenter argues that the FCC should prevent vertical restrictions on licensees' spectrum rights to avoid stifling innovation and limiting valuable UAS use cases, and also suggests that the FCC reevaluate and remove existing airborne use prohibitions on flexible-use licenses to further enhance innovation and UAS operations.
- Aerospace Industries Association Air Line Pilo (modify) — The commenter advocates for the Commission to reduce regulatory burdens and allocate spectrum for UAS operations where safety standards are met, and also calls for the initiation of proceedings to consider removing airborne restrictions to further open additional spectrum for UAS operations.
The design and implementation of dynamic frequency management systems (DFMS) for UAS operations.
Filers split on: “The FCC should establish a dynamic frequency management systems (DFMS) administrator selection process within 45 days to expedite UAS access to the 5030-5091 MHz band.”
2 filers engaged this issue.
- Utilities Technology Council (modify) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to design dynamic frequency management systems (DFMS) that support long-range, multi-site missions across large service territories and ensure reliable access to spectrum for utility UAS operations, particularly during emergencies.
- Ceres Air (support) — The FCC should establish a dynamic frequency management systems (DFMS) administrator selection process within 45 days to expedite UAS access to the 5030-5091 MHz band.
Establishing guidelines and authorizations for counter-UAS (C-UAS) technologies for SLTT agencies.
Filers split on: “The FCC should establish a list of 'authorized systems' for SLTT agencies to clarify which C-UAS technologies are vetted and can be trusted in high-risk situations.”
2 filers engaged this issue.
- D-Fend Solutions (support) — The commenter advocates for the FCC to enhance the evaluation and deployment of C-UAS technologies by establishing pre-cleared test ranges near urban centers, streamlining authorization processes for state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies, and creating a list of vetted 'authorized systems' to ensure public safety and clarity in high-risk situations.
- AeroVironment — The FCC should clarify regulations to allow companies to sell sensitive drones and C-UAS products directly to the government and other approved entities.
Who filed (12)
ATT Services, AURA Network Systems, AeroVironment, Aerospace Industries Association Air Line Pilo, Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solut, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems Inter, Ceres Air, Connected Devices for America Coalition, D-Fend Solutions, Echodyne, Utilities Technology Council, Wireless Infrastructure Association WIA
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