Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73
§1431 Public safety roaming and priority access
Title 47 › Chapter CHAPTER 13— - PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM AUCTIONS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - GOVERNANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY SPECTRUM › § 1431
Summary
The Commission can let public-safety agencies roam onto and get priority on commercial networks in emergencies if equipment is compatible, the provider is reasonably paid, and the access doesn't preempt, end, or degrade ongoing voice or data sessions.
Full Legal Text
Title 47, §1431
Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Commission may adopt rules, if necessary in the public interest, to improve the ability of public safety networks to roam onto commercial networks and to gain priority access to commercial networks in an emergency if—
(1)the public safety entity equipment is technically compatible with the commercial network;
(2)the commercial network is reasonably compensated; and
(3)such access does not preempt or otherwise terminate or degrade all existing voice conversations or data sessions.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
47 U.S.C. § 1431
Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73