Our services in the areas of public safety, homeland security, and defense include:

• Experimental licensing of communications systems before the FCC, with an emphasis on next-generation technologies
• Ensuring existing government contracts are expressly supported by FCC licenses
• Negotiating frequency requirements with the FCC, NTIA, DOD, and FAA
• Waiver requests for systems not compliant with existing rules
• DD1494 form requirements
• Frequency coordination with APCO, PCIA, NTIA, FAA, SBE, etc. 
• Avoiding enforcement action related to interference, unlicensed transmissions, and marketing/importation activities 
• Monitoring industry/competitor licensing activity 
• Establishing relationships between our clients and the FCC, NTIA, FAA, etc. 
• Conversion of military applications to commercial usage 
• Legislative monitoring 
• Funding and appropriations 
• Ensuring interoperability of military, state/local public safety, and commercial systems 

Experimental Licensing 

Arent Fox is a leader in the provision of services designed to ensure that manufacturers of telecommunications systems and equipment are fully licensed by the FCC to test and operate equipment during IR&D and contract implementation. Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge of the FCC’s experimental licensing rules, which apply to virtually all RF transmissions occurring outside of fully shielded environments. We provide clients with a full and complete range of services necessary to obtain licenses, and we advise those who discover that their transmissions are not properly licensed by the FCC. At every step of the licensing process, we work closely with our clients and the FCC to ensure full compliance with all requirements. 

Regulatory Monitoring and Counseling

Constant and comprehensive regulatory monitoring is necessary to maintain and increase market share, and to avoid enforcement action, fines, and other penalties. Arent Fox’s regulatory monitoring and update services address numerous issues, including: 

• Cybersecurity
• 700 MHz re-banding 
• E911 
• Emergency preparedness 
• Implementation of the public safety aspects of the National Broadband Plan 
• Emergency alert and warning systems 
• Communications for first responders 
• Implementation of NTIA’s Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan 
• The FCC’s Emergency Response Interoperability Center (ERIC) 
• Response to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, etc. 
• Prohibitions on the use of contraband cell phones in correctional facilities