States and territories can submit new or updated data to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) by Sept. 30 for consideration in state plans, Amanda Hilliard, FirstNet’s director-outreach, said in a blog posting today. The posting discussed last week’s two-day meeting in Virginia of FirstNet state points of contact (SPOCs). “State Plan development really started with the Initial Consultations that began in the fall of 2014 and continued with the data collection submissions that were due September 30, 2015. Some states and territories continue to collect additional data,” Ms. Hilliard said. “As such, FirstNet discussed with the SPOCs last week how their states/territories can submit new or updated data prior to September 30, 2016. That data can further prepare States, as well as FirstNet and our eventual network partner, as we prepare for State Plan delivery. Further guidance will be released soon.”
“FirstNet also discussed the high-level vision of a State Plan portal,” she added. “It is envisioned that one area of the portal will be used to unveil our future product and service offerings (coverage, devices, applications, etc.) for all public safety agencies to see. Another area of the portal is expected to include some sensitive information that will likely require controlled access to manage the proper dissemination and protection of the information. As a result, 2016 Consultation efforts will provide key planning opportunities to discuss how this information is best controlled and disseminated to appropriate stakeholders.”
Regarding a decision by governors on whether to opt out of having FirstNet build the radio access network in their states, Ms. Hilliard said that “we strongly encouraged SPOCs to start preparing for this decision today by getting the right people involved across the state or territory and by raising any questions or issues now. It is important that a Governor know about FirstNet and be prepared for a decision before the final plan is delivered.”
Meanwhile, there has been speculation among some stakeholders that pdvWireless may submit a proposal to FirstNet in response to its request for proposals (RFP), according to sources. Rivada Networks has said it plans to submit a proposal and AT&T, Inc., had indicated that it plans to do so as well.
Morgan O’Brien, vice chairman of pdvWireless, declined to comment when contacted by TRDaily. Mr. O’Brien, a co-founder of Nextel Communications, Inc. (now part of Sprint Corp.), had founded Cyren Call Communications Corp., to push the federal government to reallocate 30 megahertz of 700 MHz band spectrum for a nationwide, interoperable public safety communications network that would be built by the private sector. But his effort failed.
Now, pdvWireless is hoping to establish a broadband service in the 900 MHz band. A petition filed by the company and the Enterprise Wireless Alliance to realign the spectrum to enable the broadband service, which would give priority access to critical infrastructure entities, is pending before the FCC. —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com
Courtesy TRDaily