FirstNet the Authority and More. With AT&T beating every due date, dealing with its coverage issues head-on, and deploying Band 14 ahead of schedule, not to mention certifying new FirstNet-approved devices, sometimes we forget FirstNet is the most important public/private partnership this nation has ever seen. When Congress formed FirstNet in 2012, it became an independent authority under the auspices of the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA), which is a part of the Department of Commerce. FirstNet the Authority, as it has become known, was responsible for putting together the FirstNet request for proposal, distributing it, and making the award. Even with the delays caused by others, it shepherded the request through to a successful conclusion and awarded the FirstNet contract to AT&T.
Since then, the focus for public safety has been on FirstNet (Built by AT&T) and not so much on FirstNet the Authority although it continues to play many important roles going forward including being the final authority on how well AT&T is doing against the deliverables established both in the RFP and in the final contract. FirstNet the Authority still has a large staff of qualified people working with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure they fully understand the importance of joining FirstNet (Built by AT&T) and how to go about it. It is the checks and balances organization that, if AT&T strays from the goals set up in the contract (which to my knowledge it has not done) FirstNet the Authority has the clout to ensure AT&T gets back on track.
It is easy to see exactly how engaged both FirstNet the Authority and its board of directors have remained throughout the process. Its last meeting was held August 13, 2018, after the APCO show. Each committee reported to the board on activity that impacts FirstNet. Fiscal highlights for 2018 include that AT&T earned a sustainability payment of $5.5 billion, and the Authority was once again given a clean bill of health by the Inspector General (IG) in his report. This makes five years in a row the IG passed the Authority with high marks. Furthermore, the finance committee reported it met the financial requirements of FirstNet while staying under budget, perhaps one of a very few government-related agencies that does stick to its budget. During 2019, it appears as though funds will be made available for independent validation and verification of the public safety network coverage, which is an important task. Read the Entire Post Here.
Here are the articles I have selected with the help of Discovery Patterns artificial intelligence.
FirstNet board approves $241 million budget
RCR Wireless News Aug 14 18:55
This budget is an investment in the future of our organization and in public safety’s network, said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth in a statement. With the …
FCC must halt cuts to Lifeline broadband subsidies in tribal regions, says court – CNET
CNet Aug 14 15:03
The cuts, if implemented, would cause “widespread loss of vital telecom services,” say the judges.
FirstNet launches ‘Public Safety First’ podcast
Police News Aug 13 19:10
The podcast, titled Public Safety First, is hosted by FirstNet Public Safety …
APCO: Devices ready for FirstNet take centerstage
RCR Wireless News Aug 11 02:40
… and delivering secure branch, mobile and IoT connectivity. FirstNet is the nationwide communications platform dedicated to America’s public safety.
Shulman Rogers Filing FCC STA Requests at No Charge for California Public Safety Agencies …
PR Newswire Aug 10 00:55
The Shulman Rogers FCC Licensing staff prepares hundreds of applications every year for land mobile radio, microwave and other radio services.
Bainbridge Island Review Aug 14 22:30
Rolfes also sponsored important legislation to protect the men and women on the frontline, including a bill that adds insurance coverage for post-traumatic stress disorders of first responders and a measure banning certain …
FCC Might Freeze Fixed-Line Broadband Speed Benchmark
Light Reading Aug 14 16:10
With respect to what defines “broadband” for fixed-line data services, the status quo is the way to go, according to the Federal Communications …
Dish’s Window to Sell Spectrum Has Closed, Analyst Says
Light Reading Aug 14 04:40
Dish is also confident that it can meet its buildout commitment and have the first phase of a 5G-capable network, initially focused on narrowband …
Speedier broadband standards? Pai’s FCC says 25Mbps is fast enough
ArsTechnica: Infinite Loop Aug 11 07:00
FCC kicks off annual analysis of nationwide broadband deployment.
Satellite Broadband Communication in Public Safety Market: Advanced Technology &TOP Leader …
openPR Aug 10 17:50
Satellite Broadband Communication in Public Safety Market: Advanced Technology &TOP Leader: VT iDirect, Cambium Networks, EchoStar, Ligado …
FCC Proposes To Maintain US Broadband Standard of 25Mbps Down, 3Mbps Up
Slashdot Aug 10 22:00
The FCC is proposing to maintain the U.S. broadband standard at the current level of 25Mbps downstream and 3Mbps upstream. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has kept the standard at these speeds since 2017, despite calls to raise it from Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. This week, Pai proposed keeping the standard the same for another year. Ars Technica reports: The FCC raised the standard from 4Mbps/1Mbps to 25Mbps/3Mbps in January 2015 under then-Chairman Tom Wheeler. Ajit…