“FirstNet officials face enormous pressure to produce a functional network in a timely manner, reflecting widespread concerns that public safety communications will not be adequate for response and recovery if a catastrophic national emergency occurs,” according to a Congressional Research Service report written by telecom analyst Linda Moore. “Building momentum after a slow start in setting up the organization, it is possible that FirstNet, working closely with the NTIA, is now opting for expediency at the expense of states’ own public safety goals. For example, much of the available information about the role of states in managing networks in their jurisdiction is—at this point in time—vague, with a heavy emphasis on proposals, drafts, and works-in-progress.”

Courtesy TRDaily