Will FirstNet be the OnlyNet? The answer to the title of this week’s blog varies depending on whether you talk to the public safety community versus the technology community. However, you also need to factor in the actions of the U.S. Congress, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and perhaps even the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Each group will have a different set of answers and, unfortunately, the final decision may be up to the federal government. History offers a clear indication that the feds are after spectrum that can be monetized by selling it at auction. Further, those who make the spectrum decisions may not be the most appropriate people to do so.

There are many operational, security, and technical issues that are not understood by elected and appointed officials so there is a danger that they will see FirstNet is a success and then begin to mandate that the Land Mobile Radio Spectrum (LMR) be reclaimed and put on the auction block before the public safety community is ready to trust FirstNet as its one and only network. In reality, the public safety community needs to be in charge of the radio spectrum it counts on to be effective and that personnel count on to keep them safe when they are in harm’s way. In an ideal world, FirstNet will be rolled out, push-to-talk and the network will evolve mission-critical status, and someone will solve the off-network (simplex, talk-around, peer-to-peer) issue which is, at the moment, a major stumbling block for many.

But does the public safety community have the clout to contend with elected officials who are much more concerned about the national debt and the potential dollar value of spectrum rather than how important it is to one group or another? Read the Entire Blog Here The Discovery Patterns news recap is below:

Texas, Idaho Opt in to FirstNet – MissionCritical Sep 20 10:04 Texas — one of the largest states in the country and home to an early builder network — and Idaho opted in to the respective plans from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and AT&T to deliver a wireless broadband networks to their state’s public-safety communities. read more

Maryland to Transform Communications for Public Safety; Governor Hogan Approves Buildout Plan … – Cellular News Sep 20 01:45 This state of the art plan will deliver a wireless broadband network to Maryland’s public safety community, allowing for faster, more informed and better …

FirstNet Signs Up Three More States – Broadcasting & Cable Sep 21 04:45 The network is being managed by AT&T in a public-private partnership, with AT&T getting access to the new spectrum allocated for the network and …

First responders resort to radios, heavy phone traffic causes cellular networks to overload – KREM.com Sep 20 22:10 FirstNet is a nationwide cellular network dedicated exclusively to public safety and first responders. It drives innovation and creates an entire system of …

After Hurricane Harvey, Texas opts in to FirstNet public safety network – StateScoop Sep 20 22:10 All states are required under federal law to select a vendor to build their piece of a nationwide, interoperable public safety wireless network for first …

AT&T, FirstNet to Get $73M FY 2018 Budget for Public Safety Network – GovConWire Sep 20 17:10 … the efforts of FirstNet and contractor AT&T (NYSE: T) to deploy a nationwide broadband network for public safety, ExecutiveGov reported Tuesday.

FirstNet Approves $73.5M Fiscal 2018 Budget – MissionCritical Sep 19 10:03 The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) board of directors approved a fiscal year (FY) 2018 budget of $73.5 million, a 13 percent decrease from its FY 2017 budget of $84.6 million. The resolution passed at the FirstNet board’s Sept. 14 meeting. read more

FCC Chairman to Highlight NG 9-1-1, Rural Broadband in 4-State Road Trip – MissionCritical Sep 19 10:03 FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will visit Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas this week to discuss the importance of connectivity for public-safety services in rural America and ways to bridge the digital divide. read more

FirstNet will hold ‘opt-out’ states accountable to meeting network policies for 25 years, officials say – Urgent Communications Sep 19 05:10 … opt-out of FirstNet and build the public-safety LTE radio access network (RAN) within their borders …

FCC Forum on Cellular.Public-Safety 800 MHz Sharing Set for Nov. 6 – MissionCritical Sep 16 10:02 The FCC will host a public forum on improving the co-existence of cellular and other commercial wireless licensees and public-safety licensees in the 800 MHz band. The forum will be held Nov. 6 at FCC headquarters. read more

FCC chairman asks for emergency communication feedback during Joplin stop – Joplin Globe Sep 21 00:30 … get feedback about emergency communications from area public safety officials. …

FirstNet technology tested in Brazos County to expand statewide – KBTX Sep 20 22:15 … would partner with FirstNet, a wireless broadband network that the Brazos County Sheriff’s …

Idaho, Texas Opt in to FirstNet Plan to Build a Wireless Broadband Network – Security Sales & Integration Sep 20 19:55 FirstNet, in partnership with AT&T, will build, operate and maintain a secure wireless broadband communications network for the public safety …

Peraertz Re-Joins FCC – Broadcasting & Cable Sep 20 14:00 Louis Peraertz has returned to the office of FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn as senior legal advisor, wireless, international and public safety.

Wireless High-Speed Data and Power Transfer Combined – Newshawk Time Sep 20 08:10 The NC State researchers realized that while high-efficiency power transmits, particularly at longer distances, does need very narrow band antennas, …

FCC Commissioner tours Saline County 911 center – WSIL TV Sep 20 02:16 Pai’ wants to improve connectivity for public safety services in rural areas. He says easing Federal Government regulations on internet and cell service …

NTIA, in review of comments on botnet strategy, cites calls for security ‘certification’ – Inside Cybersecurity Sep 19 20:35 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration says some commenters are calling for third-party certifications for securing Internet …

Texas opts in to FirstNet plan to deliver a wireless broadband network – San Antonio Express-News Sep 19 19:45 Texas is the latest state to opt in to the federal government and AT&T plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the public safety community, …

Governor Abbott Announces Partnership With FirstNet And AT&T To Modernize Public Safety … – Office of the Texas Governor – Texas.gov Sep 19 18:45 September 19, 2017 | Austin, Texas | Press Release. Governor Greg Abbott today announced Texas will partner with FirstNet and AT&T to deliver a …

Texas to Transform Communications for Public Safety; Governor Abbott Approves Buildout Plan for First Responder Network – PR Newswire Sep 19 17:40 RESTON, Va., Sept. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Texas is making another major move to strengthen public safety and enhance emergency preparedness across the state. Today, Governor Greg Abbott announced his decision to partner with FirstNet and AT&T* to deliver a wireless broadban…

Idaho becomes 20th state to opt-in to FirstNet – Urgent Communications Sep 19 14:40 Butch Otter announces that he has accepted the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) deployment plan offered by FirstNet and AT&T …

Head Of FCC Urges Better Planning For Reliable Sources Of Power After A Storm – WLRN Sep 18 22:25 1 for the FCC [Federal Communication Commission] is public safety, were …

NTIA Releases Cybersecurity Report – Sep 18 20:24 The National Telecommunications & Information Administration has released a report on botnets, DDoS attacks and other cyber threats. The report …

Telecom Alert – September 18, 2017: Spectrum Frontier Order Expected; FirstNet Update … – The National Law Review Sep 18 18:16 … for failing to operate its private land mobile radio station on a narrowband basis. The order follows the company’s failure to respond to both a Notice …

How Motorola is prepping for the day of reckoning – Crain’s Chicago Business Sep 16 14:15 AT&T was just awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Commerce to build out FirstNet, a wireless phone network devoted to public safety.

APCO Begins Standards Process for Mental Crisis Training, PSAP Performance – MissionCritical Sep 16 10:02 The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International filed two project initiations with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). read more

Cities Slam FCC on Broadband Proceedings – Light Reading Sep 16 06:30 City CIOs and CTOs think the FCC is putting future broadband and smart city investment at risk.