# 2024-29967: FCC Creates Private Radio Stations for Robot Aircraft 2024-29967, Spectrum Rules and Policies for the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, is a Federal Register rule from an unnamed agency published 2025-01-08, effective 2025-02-07 (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-29967 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2024-29967 - Title: Spectrum Rules and Policies for the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Type: Rule - Agencies: unknown - Citation: unknown - Published: 2025-01-08 - Effective: 2025-02-07 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line FCC Creates Private Radio Stations for Robot Aircraft ## Summary The FCC is opening up a special slice of airwaves (5030-5091 MHz) just for drone pilots to safely control their flying machines, especially in tricky or busy airspace. Starting February 7, 2025, drone operators can get temporary frequency spots managed by smart systems to keep their signals clear and reliable. This means smoother, safer drone flights without messing up other important signals nearby. ## Abstract In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) enables Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) operators to access dedicated spectrum for control-related communications. Specifically, this document adopts service rules under new rule part 88 that provide operators the ability to obtain direct frequency assignments in a portion of the 5030-5091 MHz band for non-networked operation. Under these rules, one or more dynamic frequency management systems (DFMSs) will manage and coordinate access to the spectrum and enable its safe and efficient use, by providing requesting operators with temporary frequency assignments to support UAS control link communications with a level of reliability suitable for operations in controlled airspace and other safety-critical circumstances. To address concerns regarding the impact of these aeronautical operations on adjacent services, this document locates these operations, for now, in the central part of the band, with substantial separation from the bands adjacent to the 5030- 5091 MHz band. ## Effects PRIA read - Dedicated UAS Control Band Assigned: benefit, medium. The FCC sets aside spectrum for uncrewed aircraft control in the 5030–5091 MHz band and establishes a near-term Non-Networked Access (NNA) block of 10 megahertz at 5040–5050 MHz. During the interim period before the dynamic frequency management systems (DFMSs) operate, NNA users may access 20 megah… - Interim Access Mechanism (IAM) Available: benefit, medium. Before DFMSs are operational, eligible NNA operators can use an Interim Access Mechanism (IAM) to access 20 megahertz at 5040–5060 MHz for short-term, single-flight operations. IAM access requires FAA coordination and FCC registration and will end once a DFMS begins operations. - License‑by‑Rule, But Certified Devices Required: mixed, medium. The FCC authorizes NNA ground and aircraft stations by rule (no individual spectrum licenses) so long as operators use certified, Commission‑approved NNA stations and follow the part 88 rules. Applicants for equipment certification must notify the FAA of the equipment manufacturer when filing. - DFMS Registration and Fee Requirement: cost, medium. To use the NNA spectrum, parties must register with a Commission‑approved Dynamic Frequency Management System (DFMS) and may only transmit pursuant to temporary frequency assignments from a DFMS. DFMS administrators may charge reasonable registration, assignment, and usage‑based fees. - Equipment Certification Under RTCA DO‑362A: cost, medium. Transmitters for part 88 must be certified under OET procedures and the FCC incorporates portions of the RTCA DO‑362A (2020) standard for transmitter power, bandwidth, out‑of‑band emissions, emission mask, and time division duplexing. Applicants must notify the FAA of the equipment manufacturer dur… - Only Control Links Allowed; Ground Stations Must Be Fixed: cost, medium. Use of the NNA spectrum is limited to Control and Non‑payload Communications (CNPC) between the uncrewed aircraft and its ground station. Ground and fixed NNA stations are permitted only if they are not in motion during operation and operations must be limited to the location associated with the fr… - Timing Limits on Frequency Assignments: cost, low. DFMS assignments for NNA operations may be approved only for operations lasting no more than 24 hours and normally may not be approved for periods commencing more than seven calendar days after a request (except for lack of availability). - FAA Authorization Verification Required: cost, low. A DFMS must confirm in the assignment process that the requesting party has FAA flight authorization covering the flight and that the remote pilot has the necessary FAA remote pilot authorization. Parties challenging DFMS actions concerning FAA authorization must submit an FAA determination with th… - Public Safety Gets Priority in Emergencies: benefit, low. In emergencies, DFMSs should, to the extent feasible and consistent with aviation safety, prioritize requests from public safety entities. In periods of congestion, DFMSs should prioritize flights that rely on a single ground station over multi‑station flights, and public safety priority takes prec… - Exclusion Zones and NRQZ Coordination: cost, low. The FCC will establish exclusion zones to protect Federal Microwave Landing Systems (MLS) and requires coordination within the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ). DFMSs must notify the NRQZ Administrator and allow a 20‑day objection period; DFMSs must notify NSF of assignments near listed radio astro… ## Related documents - [2026-20736](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20736): Air Plan Approval; Michigan; Clean Data Determination for the Berrien, MI and Muskegon, MI Areas for the 2015 Ozone Standards, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20757](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20757): Schedules of Controlled Substances; Removal of Exemption Status for Inactive Butalbital Products, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20727](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20727): Medical Devices; Immunology and Microbiology Devices; Classification of the System for Detection of Nucleic Acid From Non-Viral Microorgani…, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20792](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20792): Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Order Amending Marketing Order No. 989, 2026-10-09 - [C1-2026-20019](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/C1-2026-20019): Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20748](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20748): Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of O-Desmethyltramadol in Schedule I; Correction, 2026-10-09 ## Sources - [2024-29967 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/08/2024-29967/spectrum-rules-and-policies-for-the-operation-of-unmanned-aircraft-systems) - [2024-29967 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-08/pdf/2024-29967.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: C1-2024-28474, Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/C1-2024-28474) - [Next: 2024-30649, Interim Final Determination To Defer Sanctions; AK, Fairbanks North Star Borough](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-30649) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-29967 (as of 2026-06-11).