FirstNet, true to its promise has released most of the final interpretations of the law which created FirstNet. The good news for FirstNet and for any potential bidder is that if a State opts out they do not get to keep the funds which are paid by secondary users of the network inside their State. This money can only be used for funding FirstNet’s expansion, and/or operation, as well as making its way to the national partner of FirstNet. This should limit the number of States which opt out. My recommendations to States has been to work with FirstNet and get the network built in the State and also negotiate with FirstNet so that approved network expansion can be added by both local and state agencies where it is needed or to solve in building coverage problems.
One of the things that I do as a consultant is to field calls from investment firms who are interested and following what is happening with FirstNet. I have to admit that this is a nice source of added revenue and also permits me to find out who is interested in what aspects of the FirstNet plans and RFP. Recently the calls have increased and the current set of questions is about who is likely to bid, who is likely to partner with whom, and who has the inside track. I always start these calls with a disclaimer that I have no inside knowledge, and nobody, even those within FirstNet, can know who the bidders are likely to be.
Further, there are a number of companies which are sitting on the fence to see if FirstNet makes more changes to the RFP, makes it more partnership oriented, or publishes the selection criteria for making the award. I also point out that the fact that the FirstNet RFP is going to be on the street at the same time the 600 MHz auction is taking place will, I am sure, have an impact on who will and won’t bid to become a FirstNet partner. Especially in these days of needing $billions for auctions and network build outs, it might just be that those who pass on FirstNet do so because becoming a FirstNet partner, while it may make financial sense in the future, does not provide spectrum which is licensed to a bidder and therefore, can be added to that bidders asset pool, affecting their credit rating perhaps.
Still it is interesting to hear what the investment folks have to say, who they are asking about, and who else they think might show up at the auction. So far I have yet to talk to two investment firms who share the same views about whom the likely bidders will be. It will be fun to go back and compare their lists with the responses which are ultimately presented to FirstNet.
Next week we will be back on our Friday publishing schedule because I am leaving for the IACP conference on Saturday. One of the highlights for me will be the Sunday morning meeting of the Communications and Technology Committee, Chaired by the Father of FirstNet, Chief Harlin McEwen, (Ret). I learned from a recent article in the IACP magazine that Chief McEwen was appointed Chairman of this committee in 1978 and has been reappointed by every new President of IACP since. But this meeting is a very special one since it is the last one Chief McEwen will be attending as the Chairman. He has decided to slowly wind down his involvement with the Public Safety community.
He will remain as the Chairman of the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) of FirstNet but will be replaced as Chairman of the IACP C&T committee by Eddie Reyes who has been with the Alexandria, VA Police Department for almost 25 Years. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Chief McEwen and have also worked with Chief Reyes during our quest to obtain the broadband spectrum and have FirstNet come into existence. I am sorry to see Chief McEwen move out of the chairmanship position but he certainly has done more than any single individual I know of to further the state of Public Safety communications. I am also sure the Chief Reyes will take over and do a great job as well. See you in Chicago! Andy
FirstNet Releases Dozens of Final Interpretations – National Public Safety Telecommunications Council – NPSTC via Google Alerts Oct 16 22:15 The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) today released two public notices …
FCC to Require Backup Power for all 911 Communications Operations – Targeted News Service via Google Alerts Oct 16 11:55 Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Linda M. Pintro, at (202) …
- FirstNet Network i. Elements of the Network – Regulations.gov via Google Alerts Oct 16 22:15 We also concur with FirstNet’s preliminary conclusion that …
Are 9-1-1 Dispatchers First Responders? – Officer.com via Google Alerts Oct 16 03:30 The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) recently announced they would be pursuing a change. Not an unusual task for an …
Industry Day – Public Safety Wireless Broadband Pilot Project – Central Minnesota Radio via Google Alerts Oct 16 01:40 Special panel session on public safety broadband LTE pilot network following monthly Statewide Emergency Communications Board (SECB) meeting.
Pennsylvania official outlines state requirements for FirstNet regarding control, coverage and … – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Oct 15 13:30 Pennsylvania officials want input into the manner in which the FirstNet public-safety broadband network is deployed and operated within the state …
FirstNet: Final Interpretations Include State Input – Radio Resource via Google Alerts Oct 14 22:10 Officials from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) said the 64 final …
NATE Forms Committee on Unmanned Aerial Systems – TV Technology via Google Alerts Oct 14 19:50 … vital economic, public safety and national security benefits associated with broadband network deployments in the United States, said Schlekeway.
Commerce seeks to widen acceptance of cyber framework – FCW.com via Google Alerts Oct 14 16:30 … said Clete Johnson, chief counsel for cybersecurity at the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
FirstNet Extends Cybersecurity Special Notice Comment Deadline – Radio Resource via Google Alerts Oct 14 14:10 Networks | Systems … FirstNet Extends Cybersecurity Special Notice Comment Deadline …
Sonim Supplies Band 14 LTE Devices in New Jersey, New Mexico – Radio Resource via Google Alerts Oct 14 11:45 Sonim equipped Pennsylvania State Police, New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness with rugged …
Did you blink during the last few weeks? If so, here are some things you may have missed – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Oct 13 13:30 Next-generation 911The FCC’s Task Force on Optimal Public-Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Architecture (TFOPA) resource working group …
Global Public Safety LTE and Mobile Broadband Market (2015-2030) grow at CAGR of nearly 40 … – NetDugout via Google Alerts Oct 17 09:30 Due to the bandwidth limitations of their traditional voice-centric LMR (Land Mobile Radio) networks, public safety agencies are keen to leverage …
AT&T, Verizon named in FCC probe into business Internet deals – The Hill via Google Alerts Oct 16 22:00 The Federal Communications Commission is launching an investigation into competition in the market for dedicated broadband connections sold to …
Tropico wins award for compact LTE-700 base station – Telecompaper via Google Alerts Oct 16 11:45 The LTE technology in the 700 MHz band developed by CPqD and marketed by its subsidiary Tropico has received an important recognition.
260 ‘Net Experts Urge FCC to Embrace Open, Transparent RF Rules – DSL Reports via Google Alerts Oct 15 14:30 As such, the FCC tells DSLReports their intent is public safety, first and foremost. “The proposed rules are intended to prevent a device from being …
8000 cellphones found in Georgia prisons this year – WSB Atlanta via Google Alerts Oct 14 23:30 … why a dialogue with the FCC might be so important for public safety. …
France names the date for 700 MHz sale – Total Telecom via Google Alerts Oct 14 05:45 … month Arcep confirmed that all four of France’s main mobile network operators had applied …
DISH Petitions FCC to Deny Charter/Time Warner Cable Merger – Business Wire Oct 13 21:10 ENGLEWOOD, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Citing substantial harm to competition and consumers, DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH) petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny the proposed merger of Charter Communications, Inc. and Time Warner Cable, Inc. The petition to deny, available here, outlines, among other things, the critical role that high-speed broadband plays in the video industry and the potential for the merger to significantly damage competitive development of over-the-
FirstNet; Drones; FCC Enforcement Advisory; Rural Broadband Experiments; KH Webinar, Vol XII … – The National Law Review via Google Alerts Oct 13 18:11 FirstNet’s initial draft request for proposals (RFP) in April 2015 discussed cyber security objectives pertaining to the nationwide public safety …
FCC’s Wheeler Taps Ex-Wireless Tech Exec as Media Advisor – Broadcasting & Cable via Google Alerts Oct 13 17:11 Wheeler’s office said Tuesday that Almond will be legal advisor for media, enforcement and public safety issues, replacing Maria Kirby, who is leaving …
Safecom Homeland Security – Zona Tiket Murah via Google Alerts Oct 13 14:40 Safecom Homeland Security SAFECOM is managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications OEC .
FirstNet Overview w/link… (bolding & underlining is by me.) – Investor Village via Google Alerts Oct 13 14:11 To do that, FirstNet will build a new Band Class 14 network designed to be reliable, …
Dish Asks FCC to Deny Charter-Time Warner Cable Merger – WSJ: Technology Oct 13 23:46 Dish Network petitioned the FCC to deny the proposed merger between Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable, citing the combined company’s market power in broadband and what it said was an ability to harm online video services.
Verizon Viewed As Frontrunner For FirstNet Project – Investor’s Business Daily Oct 12 12:31 Verizon Communications (VZ) is the likeliest wireless service provider to build out FirstNet, the government’s effort to create a nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety, says Evercore ISI. AT&T (T), though, also could be in the running. A request for proposals (RFP) is expected to be released by year-end, with a FirstNet build-out starting in 2017. Cellphone tower operators such as American Tower (AMT) and Crown Castle