Is FirstNet the Solution For Connecting Rural America?
There’s a lot of interest from citizens, states, counties and the federal government to bring broadband to rural America. The biggest issue is: “How do you make it feasible?” broadband…
News
States of Washington, Oregon announce plans to issue joint RFP to explore FirstNet alternative
Donny Jackson | Urgent Communications Governors for the states of Washington and Oregon have announced that they will issue a joint request for proposals (RFP) asking bidders to submit proposals…
New Hampshire state panel makes FirstNet ‘opt-out’ recommendation to governor
New Hampshire’s Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) votes unanimously to recommend that Gov. Chris Sununu choose to pursue the “opt-out” alternative to FirstNet, which calls for Rivada Networks to build and operate the public-safety LTE radio access network (RAN) in the state.
Clock ticking on decision affecting Vermont’s telecom future
The 90-day clock has started ticking for Gov. Phil Scott to make a key decision about the future of public safety communications — and Vermont’s broader telecommunications networks.
NTIA Releases Funding Levels, Governors Have Until Dec. 28 To Make FirstNet ‘Opt-in/opt-out’ Decisions
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) releases construction-grant funding levels to FirstNet, which will deliver the figures to most governors tomorrow—an action that means these governors will have until…
NTIA releases information about SLIGP 2.0 grants to states, territories for FirstNet purposes
States and territories can apply for their shares of State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) 2.0 funding that could total as much as $43.4 million and can be used…
Louisiana Opts in for FirstNet Communications System for First Responders
Louisiana will soon have a specialized wireless broadband network specifically for first responders now that Governor John Bel Edwards has opted in to FirstNet. Baton Rouge (September 27, 2017)- With this…
Cell and Communication Problem in Freeman Shooting
“It (FirstNet) will help us in those types of major emergencies that we worry about where the cell towers are being over loaded by the civilian side,” Sheriff Knezovich said….
NTIA Does Not Release State Funding Levels, Pushing ‘Opt-in/opt-out’ Deadline Deeper Into December
Most governors will have at least until Dec. 21 to decide whether their states and territories will “opt-in” to FirstNet or pursue the “opt-out” option after the National Telecommunications and…
FirstNet Updates State-plan Portals, But Missing NTIA Funding Levels Mean 90-day Decision ‘Clock’ On Hold
FirstNet updates the state-plan portals, but official state-plan delivery—the action needed to start the statutory 90-day decision window for most governors—must wait until the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)…
Texas Becomes Largest State To Make FirstNet ‘Opt-in’ Decision
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott today announced that he has accepted the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) deployment plan offered by FirstNet and AT&T on behalf of his state, making Texas…
FirstNet Will Hold ‘Opt-out’ States Accountable To Meeting Network Policies For 25 Years, Officials Say
States and territories that seek to “opt-out” must clear multiple statutory hurdles and be prepared for FirstNet’s ongoing oversight of its RAN operations for the next 25 years, according to…
Maryland Governor Hogan Approves Buildout Plan for First Responder Network
“By adopting this plan, our first responders will now have the ability to efficiently and effectively work together not just within the state, but across the region and at the…
Groups Question 700 MHz Device Interoperability, Single Core in FirstNet Comments
Industry groups are questioning device interoperability in the AT&T Long Term Evolution (LTE) 700 MHz bands in comments to the FCC regarding First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) interoperability. Commenters continued…
FirstNet Rejects FOIA Request for State Plan Information, AT&T Contracts
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) rejected a request for records from an attorney who specializes in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, saying the Middle Class Tax Relief and…