The Opt-In/Opt-Out Clock Is Ticking! States have until December 28, 2017, to decide to either opt in or opt out of FirstNet. There is a third option available, which is a passive opt in, meaning that if a governor does nothing by the deadline the state is considered as an opt-in state. So far, one territory (Puerto Rico) and 26 states have opted in. A number of states have issued RFPs for comparison of what FirstNet is offering and what another vendor might offer them. New Hampshire’s governor already awarded its RFP to Rivada in the event it opts out, but since then formed a committee to weigh opt-in/opt-out pros and cons (the state staff had voted to recommend opting out). Unless something changes and New Hampshire opts in, Rivada may have at least one state to build out.
Some of FirstNet’s detractors are claiming that other states should follow New Hampshire’s lead, but no one outside the state knows exactly what was proposed in the RFP responses, nor do we know if the state’s requirement of income for New Hampshire from the proceeds of the FirstNet network was addressed in writing in the RFP response. The best information I have is that a state may not profit from the proceeds of the FirstNet network except to reinvest any funds derived from secondary use of the spectrum back into the network.
I have to wonder who will have to fund any shortfall in income from the network—the vendor or the state. Our most recent review of all ten of New Hampshire’s counties shows none have sufficient numbers of first responders to fund the network and none are in need of the spectrum on a secondary basis. Thus it appears New Hampshire will face a substantial shortfall. The question of the day is if there is a shortfall, who pays for it? Read the Entire Blog Here .
Indiana Becomes 25th State To Approve FirstNet Plan For Modernized – WBIW.com Oct 12 04:45 The plan will build modern, high-speed, wireless communication infrastructure for the state’s public safety workers and first responders at no cost to …
Oregon, Washington issue joint RFP for potential FirstNet alternative RAN – Urgent Communications Oct 18 14:11 … RFPs, the Oregon-Washington joint procurement document emphasizes the fact that no contract for the Northwest Public Safety Broadband Network …
Rep. Donovan chairs hearing on first responder communication challenges during emergencies – Homeland Preparedness News Oct 18 08:45 … First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), the public safety network was …
US Cellular partners Rivada on first responder network in Wisconsin – Telecompaper Oct 17 13:00 On 6 July, Rivada, U.S. Cellular and other companies submitted a proposal to Wisconsin for a statewide public-safety broadband network. Should …
FirstNet, AT&T Launch First Developer Program for Public Safety – Markets Insider Oct 12 09:30 It also brings public safety closer to having their own app store where they can find new solutions purpose-built for their needs. “This program will tap …
Drones can help farmers, first responders and all of us – Delmarva Daily Times Oct 12 07:10 The mesh network radio system the men are hoping to test on behalf of the Naval Air Center Aircraft Division would act as a communications …
Introduction: Narrow Band IoT Interfaces in LML – WirelessMetrix – Zendesk Oct 19 09:55 LinkMaster is implementing support for Narrow Band IoT, and in this article, we’ll cover what’s new and how you can use LinkMaster with…
Schumer to fight FCC on changes to broadband standards – WatertownDailyTimes.com Oct 19 06:25 … largest internet providers through fiber-based broadband, and its services are used particularly for health care facilities and telemedicine networks.
Huawei and Telefnica Deutschland recently launched World’s First 5G Ready Antenna … – Telefnica Deutschland Oct 19 04:25 Insufficient antenna installation space has emerged as an evident issue of network deployment during the evolution from 4G to 4.5G/5G. As 700 MHz …
Samsung Connect Tag lets you track your loved ones, pets and other important stuff – Gizbot Oct 19 03:35 The Samsung Connect Tag provides smart location notifications based on the narrowband network thereby leveraging the internet services to know …
Collins named by APCO as Maryland’s 911 Director of the Year – The Exponent Telegram Oct 19 00:25 The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) has announced the winners of the 2017 Public Safety Communications Awards, …
ZTE Subsidiary Wins Bid for China Telecom’s Narrow Band Internet of Things Module – Yicai Global Oct 18 14:01 [SHE:000063] has won a bid for China Telecommunications Corp.’s Narrow Band Internet of Things (NBIoT) module, China Securities Journal …
Telecom Italia’s new IoT network to benefit decentralized energy – Decentralized Energy Oct 18 07:15 Italian mobile operator Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) has launched its new narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) network in 5,000 municipalities across Italy and the …
APX Aligns with FirstNet to Deliver Mobile-First Technology to First Responders – Business Wire Oct 17 20:45 As the leading organization committed to transforming public-safety operations, FirstNet’s network is complemented by an array of public safetydriven …
Verizon to pay $17M to resolve FCC, Justice E-Rate probes – CNET – CNet Oct 17 20:08 Agencies investigated possible violations of bidding rules for subsidies that help deliver broadband to schools and libraries.
Rivada Networks and U.S. Cellular Announce Agreement to Team up to Develop a Statewide Public-Safety Broadband Network for Wisconsin First Responders – Cellular News Oct 17 08:15
Emergency communication is essential – Sunbury Daily Item Oct 17 04:10 Steve Bennick said this past week in response to issues with the county’s new $12 million digital narrow-band 911 communications system that …
FirstNet, ATandT Launch First Developer Program for Public Safety – Cellular News Oct 12 08:15
Participants in NTIA Internet of Things initiative aim to reach consensus on guides – Oct 12 06:48 Stakeholders participating in a National Telecommunications and Information Administration-led effort to create guidelines for patching and upgrading …