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Broward County BDA Band 14 Filter Requirement: What Building Owners Need to Know
Broward County has implemented specific requirements for FirstNet Band 14 filtering on Building Distributed Antenna (BDA) systems used to improve public safety radio coverage inside buildings. Building owners, property managers, contractors, and system integrators need to understand these requirements to maintain authorization and avoid delays during plan review, inspection, and annual maintenance.
CellAntenna provides BDA filter procurement, installation, and compliance support to help Broward County building owners meet the requirements established by the Office of Regional Communications and Technology (ORCAT), Public Safety Radio Administration.
What Is FirstNet Band 14?
FirstNet Band 14 is a 700 MHz spectrum band designated for public safety communications. It supports FirstNet, the nationwide communications network built to serve first responders and public safety agencies.
Band 14 helps provide dedicated communications capacity for police, fire, emergency medical services, and other public safety personnel. Because public safety communications must remain reliable during emergencies, Broward County requires specific filtering measures on BDA systems to reduce the risk of unwanted signal interference.
Broward County’s FirstNet Band 14 Filter Requirement
Under the Broward County Radio Administration directive, effective October 8, 2025, all Class A and Class B BDA systems must include a physical FirstNet Band 14 filter, either internal to the equipment or installed externally.
This requirement applies regardless of whether the BDA uses software-based filtering. Software filtering alone does not satisfy the physical filter requirement. Equipment specifications must identify the physical Band 14 filter.
The requirement affects both new installations and certain existing systems.
New BDA Projects
New projects submitted for plan review must meet the physical Band 14 filter requirement. This includes systems using 800 MHz BDAs that are being converted to operate at 700 MHz.
Contractors and system designers should verify filter specifications before submitting equipment documentation to avoid potential review or approval delays.
Existing BDA Systems
Existing BDA systems operating without the required physical filter must also be addressed. If the system’s retransmission authorization expires on or after January 1, 2026, the filter must be installed before the next annual maintenance and inspection to obtain renewed authorization.
Building owners and facility managers should review their current equipment and authorization status rather than waiting until the next inspection.
Important Update: Addendum Effective August 28, 2026
Broward County issued an addendum effective August 28, 2026, that adds a specific requirement for BDA systems that cannot support a 6 MHz passband.
Any BDA that is not capable of a 6 MHz passband must have external FirstNet Band 14 filters installed on both the input and output ports.
This requirement is intended to further reduce the possibility of Band 14 signals being rebroadcast by the BDA system.
The distinction is important: systems that cannot support the required 6 MHz passband cannot rely solely on an internal filter or a filter on only one port. They require external filtering on both ports under the addendum.
Building owners and contractors should confirm their BDA’s technical capabilities and determine which filter configuration applies before scheduling installation or inspection.
How to Determine Whether Your BDA System Complies
A review of the existing equipment and documentation can help identify whether additional filtering is needed.
1. Identify the BDA Equipment
Record the manufacturer, model number, operating frequency range, and current configuration of the installed BDA. These details help determine whether the system supports a 6 MHz passband.
2. Verify the Physical Band 14 Filter
Check the equipment documentation to confirm that a physical FirstNet Band 14 filter is installed internally or externally. Software-based filtering alone does not meet the requirement.
3. Confirm Whether External Filters Are Required
If the BDA is not capable of a 6 MHz passband, the August 28, 2026 addendum requires external filters on both the input and output ports.
4. Review Authorization and Inspection Dates
For an existing system, check the retransmission authorization expiration date and the next annual maintenance and inspection. Systems covered by the existing-system requirement must have the required filter installed before the next annual maintenance and inspection to obtain renewed authorization.
5. Maintain Installation Documentation
Keep equipment specifications, filter details, installation records, and relevant inspection documentation available for review. Confirm the current documentation requirements with ORCAT before submitting materials.
Why Professional BDA Filter Installation Matters
Selecting and installing the correct filter configuration requires an understanding of the BDA equipment, signal path, and applicable requirements. An incorrect filter arrangement may fail to meet the county’s requirements or affect system performance.
A qualified provider like CellAntenna can evaluate the installed equipment, determine whether internal or external filtering is appropriate, and install the required components. For systems covered by the August 28, 2026 addendum, the provider must account for the external filters required on both input and output ports when the BDA cannot support a 6 MHz passband.
Building owners should address these requirements proactively to reduce the risk of inspection problems, authorization renewal delays, and unplanned equipment work.
CellAntenna Can Help With Broward County Band 14 Filter Compliance
CellAntenna helps building owners, property managers, contractors, and facility teams address Broward County’s FirstNet Band 14 filter requirements. Services include filter procurement, installation support, equipment evaluation, and documentation of completed work.
Whether you are planning a new BDA installation, upgrading an existing system, or preparing for an annual inspection, CellAntenna can help determine the appropriate filter configuration for your equipment and support the process of meeting the county’s requirements.
Contact CellAntenna to discuss your BDA system and FirstNet Band 14 filtering needs.
CellAntenna Can Help With Broward County Band 14 Filter Compliance
CellAntenna helps building owners, property managers, contractors, and facility teams address Broward County's FirstNet Band 14 filter requirements. Services include filter procurement, installation support, equipment evaluation, and documentation of completed work.
Whether you are planning a new BDA installation, upgrading an existing system, or preparing for an annual inspection, CellAntenna can help determine the appropriate filter configuration for your equipment and support the process of meeting the county's requirements.
Contact CellAntenna to discuss your BDA system and FirstNet Band 14 filtering needs.