Is There FirstNet Oversight?
Many have complained there isn’t enough. Are they right? You be the judge. There has been considerable talk within NTIA and on the Hill as well as a couple of public safety…
NTIA
Mike Cannon Named FirstNet Authority Executive Director and CEO
PRESS RELEASE May 01, 2025 WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Mike Cannon has been named the Executive Director and CEO…
NTIA Announces Recruitment of New FirstNet Authority Board Members
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Federal Register Notice to seek expressions of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network…
NTIA head Davidson calls FirstNet a ‘success story,’ supports reauthorization before 2027 sunset
Congress should pass legislation that reauthorizes the FirstNet Authority “well in advance” of its scheduled sunset in 2027, because the organization has proven to be “an amazing success story, according…
NTIA is seeking a new Member for the FirstNet Authority Board
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Federal Register Notice to seek expressions of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network…
How PSCR and FirstNet Authority are Connected for Public Safety
At the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR), we are frequently asked about our relationship to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA)…
Senate confirms Davidson to head NTIA
NTIA houses the FirstNet Authority, the entity charged with building and maintaining the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) with AT&T as its selected partner. SOURCE: Urgent Communications DATE: January 12,…
Solutions for FirstNet/Broadband Expansion and How to Fund It for Tribal Nations
Join us Wednesday, July 14, 2021 9:30 PT | 10:30 MT | 11:30 CT | 12:30 EDT for an informative webinar to learn what you need to know and what you need to do to adopt and deploy FirstNet, as well as how to pursue stimulus/grant funds supporting broadband expansion and adoption. We have invited special guests from FirstNet Built with AT&T to discuss solutions available to Tribal Nations. Then, join our Program Director for Grants Assistance to gain a deeper understanding of how the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 and the NTIA Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program are allocated and how they may be used to support these endeavors.
The Continuing Saga Of Bilking Public Safety To Protect Market Share
By Al Gillespie, Fire Chief (Ret) What do you call it when someone tells you one thing but continues to do something that isn’t exactly inline with what they’ve said?…
Top U.S. telecommunications, spectrum adviser stepping down
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who oversees the agency, said in a statement: “Diane has led NTIA to multiple successes on 5G, supply chain security, broadband and public safety communications.”…
911 Grant Program Now Accepting Applications to Upgrade Nation’s Call Centers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: News Media Contact: NTIA, Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-7002, press@ntia.doc.gov Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Transportation released the preliminary funding allocations…
Long-awaited next-generation-911 cost study released
Upgrading U.S. public-safety answering points to IP-based next-generation 911 (NG911) technology will cost $9.5 billion to $12.7 billion during a 10-year period, according to a much-anticipated cost study released today…
FirstNet Association Inaugural Event
The FirstNet Association held their Inaugural FirstNet Association Regional Forum in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 29, 2018. It facilitated the kind of networking and First Net-centric problem-solving and discussion with…
Public Safety Advocate: Rural Broadband, the Headless Horseman!
Why the Headless Horseman? The more complex issues are outlined below, but the simple answer is that there has never been more interest in extending broadband into rural America than…
Public Safety, Industry Entities Weigh in on NG-911 Grant Program
Public safety and industry entities have weighed in on proposed regulations for a next-generation 911 (NG-911) grant program, including on who should be eligible for funding, whether tribes should be…