Four years after the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act created FirstNet as an independent government authority to provide communication services for public safety, the agency is preparing to award a contract in early November. Ahead of the award, GCN looks at FirstNet’s five Early Builder projects for lessons learned. Each Early Builder project signed a Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement that lets it access the public safety spectrum in the 700 MHz band. Focusing different aspects of first responder use, the projects will help FirstNet evaluate technical standards and capabilities, test new equipment and refine plans for future rollouts. FirstNet’s first steps (9/6) – GCN