FirstNet Authority Readies Roadmap to Drive Future of Network

More than 600 public safety engagements inform Roadmap; Board Chair says FirstNet Authority will use “living plan” to prioritize investments, programs

PRESS RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) continues its progress on developing a Roadmap to advance the only broadband network dedicated to public safety – FirstNet – and deliver a differentiated broadband communications experience to our nation’s first responders.  

Meeting today in Indianapolis, the FirstNet Authority Board supported the direction of the Roadmap and its alignment with public safety’s critical communications needs. This included a review of public safety operational needs as told to the FirstNet Authority through its nationwide engagement efforts. FirstNet Authority executives explained how the Roadmap will help prioritize the organization’s programs and investments to enhance FirstNet for public safety.

“This will be public safety’s Roadmap for the future of FirstNet,” said Board Chair Edward Horowitz. “The FirstNet Authority values the public safety community’s enthusiasm and participation in building this Roadmap with us. Their input helped us further understand public safety’s needs and priorities for broadband communications now and in the years to come. The Roadmap will be a living plan that will inform our decisions and strategies for investing in the network and public safety.”

The FirstNet Authority is building the Roadmap around six technology domains that reflect the most important communications capabilities for public safety’s mission. To gather input, the FirstNet Authority conducted more than 600 engagements involving over 15,000 public safety representatives in 2019. The FirstNet Authority also conducted targeted industry engagements and market research to capture technology trends.

The FirstNet Authority Board has taken key steps to establish an investment strategy for the network in conjunction with the Roadmap. Last August, the FirstNet Authority Board allotted $78 million for network investment in Fiscal Year 2019. Further, at its March 2019 meeting, the Board approved a set of principles to guide the FirstNet Authority’s investments for the network.  Today, to enable the investment process, the Board passed Resolution 100 for Board approval of network investment funds.

Also, at today’s quarterly meeting, the Board approved Resolution 99 to recognize Board Member Teri Takai for her seven years of service. One of the original members of the FirstNet Authority Board, Ms. Takai’s term expires in August 2019.

Lastly, the FirstNet Authority announced the start of the nomination period for the Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award, which honors a public safety individual who has displayed remarkable leadership or made significant contributions in the field of public safety broadband communications. For more information and to submit a nomination, please visit Firstnet.gov/about/board/award/McEwen.

For additional information on the FirstNet Authority Board meeting, please visit FirstNet.gov.

About the First Responder Network Authority

The First Responder Network Authority is an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Created in 2012, its mission is to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of the nationwide broadband network that equips first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities.

News Media Contact

April Ward

(202) 853-5219 or
(571) 665-6187
april.ward@firstnet.gov