Over a decade has passed since the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations addressing first responder communications and interoperability. Thanks to the countless hours and dedicated efforts of many, the public-safety community stands today on the cusp of a nationwide, dedicated public-safety network. The spectrum is in place, Congressional funding secured, and an independent FirstNet board, management and designated network operator have provided each state a plan for deployment of an interoperable broadband network for first responders.
It is actually not an overstatement to say this may be an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for public safety to dramatically improve the tools they have to protect the public. So, the opportunity side of the FirstNet network deployment is both unquestionable and appreciated by each state’s public-safety leaders.
But we must also deal seriously with the challenge side of the equation. FirstNet’s network focus from the very beginning has been on high-speed wireless data. Some first-responder organizations have felt, with significant justification, that several mission-critical capabilities, such as voice and enhanced location have not received the same attention. Yet those capabilities often have as great—or greater—benefit to first responders in fulfilling their missions.
In my career, I have served as both a firefighter and a chief, and the equally urgent need for mission-critical data, voice and location is a subject we all agree upon. We in the fire service also agree—as do police, EMS and other public-safety professionals—that, while major metropolitan areas have different needs than small cities and rural areas, a truly interoperable, nationwide network must plan for the needs of all citizens. With these facts in mind, here are my recommendations to address the three key FirstNet challenges each state must assess:
Coverage: FirstNet’s network deployment approach for major markets in each state is impressive and consistent with expectations. While AT&T, FirstNet’s chosen network partner, has many recognized strengths and capabilities, rural and small market network coverage does not stand out among those strengths.
The fact that AT&T is also making available network capacity on all of its existing LTE bands (ahead of LTE deployment on FirstNet’s 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum) partially addresses this concern, but AT&T also should use this opportunity to bolster its overall LTE network coverage. Understandably, network costs and economic realities have long dictated that new technologies appear later in less-populated markets than in urban ones. The key challenge for FirstNet and each state is to ensure that “later” does not become “never.”
Mission-critical voice: There are known technical challenges in providing mission-critical-voice services over an LTE data network, and no first responder should even consider to abandon existing and trusted voice alternatives until the new technology has been deployed, tested, proven and deemed trustworthy. Continue reading →
