Two very important items for the Public Safety community were in the news this week. The first was the Second Request for Comments to try to clarify what the law that created FirstNet really meant and what it really means for FirstNet, the States, and the Public Safety community.
The comment period for this request is only 30 days long but the responses could mean the difference between a very successful FirstNet and a nationwide system that is divided by opt-out states that think they can capture the proceeds of user and secondary user fees on the portion of the network within that state. This, to me, would cause a real problem not only for FirstNet but also for any partner or partners that might be contemplating responding to the FirstNet RFP scheduled for later this year.
I urge as many of you as possible to respond to this request in the hopes that these issues can be clarified for the benefit of the Public Safety community. The request has now been posted by the Federal Register so the clock is ticking. The document is here: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/03/13/2015-05855/further-proposed-interpretations-of-parts-of-the-middle-class-tax-relief-and-job-creation-act-of
The second important happening was the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. There are several articles listed below with some of the testimony included in the text but the full hearing can be watched at http://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Hearings&ContentRecord_id=25dedd7c-815b-4b3d-a420-4f4324d01041&ContentType_id=14f995b9-dfa5-407a-9d35-56cc7152a7ed&Group_id=b06c39af-e033-4cba-9221-de668ca1978a. The hearing lasted two hours and the FirstNet Chairwoman did a very good job both with her testimony and with the questions she was asked afterward.
Some of the Senators seemed to “get” the fact that FirstNet is being hampered by the tight reins being imposed on it by the NTIA and DOC, but if no further action is forthcoming, the remarks from these Senators will simply fade with time. I almost fell off my chair when the Chairwoman said in response to a question that the network should be completed in 2022! That is 10 years AFTER the law was passed. In federal speak, with all of the regulations and hoops FirstNet is being forced to jump through, this may seem like a typical amount of time to the Senators. This in no way should be taken as a criticism by me of the FirstNet Board or very dedicated staff. However, if FirstNet was a commercial entity and did not complete the build in less than four years, those responsible for not completing the build would be looking for a new job!!
In this case, the delays have NOT been caused by the FirstNet board and very dedicated staff, rather the fact that they have to abide by a number of federal rules and regulations that really have nothing to do with FirstNet. Even hiring someone takes up to 10 months! As you would expect, the rest of the news is mostly the aftermath of the FCC’s rulings on both Net Neutrality and Municipal Broadband. Just because they have been voted on by the FCC does not mean these two items will remain intact after Congress and/or the courts review them. Have a great weekend! Next week the weekly news will be published a day later. Andy
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration … – s3.amazonaws.com via Google Alerts Mar 12 11:55 National Telecommunications and Information Administration …
FirstNet’s Swenson to Congress: Final RFP due this year, ‘we should be shot’ if 2022 goal not met – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Mar 11 18:20 But Swenson said FirstNet is not looking for money and believes the public-safety broadband system can be built with existing resources. Yes, we …
US Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on a nationwide public … – Zapaday via Google Alerts Mar 10 06:40 Wed 11 Mar 2015. US Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on a nationwide public safety wireless broadband network.
FCC announces new locations for TV incentive auction seminars and private meetings – Lexology via Google Alerts Mar 13 12:00 … the mechanics of the proposed incentive auction to reclaim a portion of the TV band to be resold to wireless users for wireless broadband purposes, …
DHS to help stimulate development of wearable technology for first responders – Wildfire Today via Google Alerts Mar 13 11:40 Posted on March 12, 2015 by Bill Gabbert …
Sue Swenson: FirstNet RFP Could Come Later This Year – ExecutiveGov via Google Alerts Mar 13 04:30 Sue Swenson, chairwoman of the First Responder Network Authority board, has said a final solicitation for the nationwide FirstNet emergency …
Wicker Questions Administration on Dismantling of Miss. Public Safety Broadband Network – Senator Roger Wicker via Google Alerts Mar 12 21:20 Public Safety Broadband Network. WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., yesterday questioned Obama Administration officials …
FCC releases net neutrality rules – Star-Telegram Mar 12 12:04 Two weeks after voting to regulate broadband Internet service as a public utility, the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday released 313 pages of rules detailing what would be allowed. … Click to Continue »
IAFC President: FirstNet is Critically Important to Public Safety – IAFC – International Association of Fire Chiefs via Google Alerts Mar 12 06:40 … that FirstNet’s goal of building a nationwide public-safety broadband network to meet first responders’ needs is critically important for public safety.
Chief Bryant’s testimony – International Association of Fire Chiefs via Google Alerts Mar 11 22:20 Nationwide Public Safety Wireless. Broadband Network? Statement of. Chief G. Keith Bryant. President and Chairman of the Board. Presented to the.
Another Government Project Is Turning into an Expensive IT Nightmare – The Fiscal Times via Google Alerts Mar 11 20:10 In 2012, the government began work on a massive, nationwide public safety wireless broadband network intended to help police, firefighters and other …
Swenson: GAO’s FirstNet cost ‘built on assumptions’; board confident in own estimate – Fierce Mobile Government via Google Alerts Mar 11 16:30 … assumptions,” said Susan Swenson, chair of the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, during a March 11 hearing of the Senate Commerce …
FirstNet takes first step toward getting down to business – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts Mar 10 17:40 In public-safety communications, the theme of haves and have nots is pretty common, both in terms of 911 and radio-communications systems.
FirstNet OKs second public notice focused on roles, responsibilites of group, states – Fierce Mobile Government via Google Alerts Mar 10 17:30 The First Responder Network Authority, known as FirstNet, is currently meeting with various state, local, tribal and other organizations as it develops …
FCC’s Net-Neutrality Order Is Missing One Important Element: Facts – Forbes via Google Alerts Mar 13 12:00 Today, broadband Internet access service is fundamentally understood by customers as a transmission platform through which consumers can …
Phase 1 of S Africa’s broadband deployment to start in April – Engineering News Mar 13 03:01 The first phase of the ambitious South Africa (SA) Connect broadband strategy ” the national broadband plan ” will get under way at the start of the new financial year on April 1. Speaking at the inaugural Wi-Fi Forum of South Africa conference, in Fourways, on Thursday, Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Dr Siyabonga Cwele said that, within two to three years, 580 clinics, 4 000 schools, 180 police stations and 572 government offices would be connected to broadband.
APCO Institute Inc – Docs Archive via Google Alerts Mar 13 00:15 Apco/npstc ans 1.104.1-2010 standard channel nomenclature for the public safety interoperability channels apco international the association of …
AT&T Says FTC Can’t Sue Over Throttling Now That FCC’s on the Case – The Recorder via Google Alerts Mar 12 21:45 SAN FRANCISCO As the Federal Communications Commission released long-awaited rules for broadband Internet service on Thursday, lawyers …
Today is FCC Net Neutrality Order Day! What Happens Now? – Wetmachine via Google Alerts Mar 12 12:30 Word is today the FCC will release its network neutrality order reclassifying broadband as Title II. I’ll update with a link when that happens. Below is a …
AT&T Statement on Release of FCC’s Net Neutrality Order – Business Wire Mar 12 12:10 WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The following statement may be attributed to AT&T Senior Executive Vice President-External and Legislative Affairs Jim Cicconi: “Unfortunately, the order released today begins a period of uncertainty that will damage broadband investment in the United States. Ultimately, though, we are confident the issue will be resolved by bipartisan action by Congress or a future FCC, or by the courts.” AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries an
Looking at India to take leadership in Internet governance: ICANN – Bharat Press via Google Alerts Mar 12 09:55 It was arrange by the US Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) underneath a contract, which …
Mexico sees tender for $10 billion mobile network by early October – Reuters via Google Alerts Mar 12 05:50 The winning bidder will create a company that will build and run the network and have a license to use 90 MHz of the 700 MHz spectrum band. That is …
verizon wireless average speed – Sima via Google Alerts Mar 12 02:45 verizon wireless average speed. 25 Jul 2006 Verizon calls this service broadband because it has average download speeds of 400-700 kilobytes per …
New GAO Reports – Crop Insurance, Public Safety Communications – beSpacific via Google Alerts Mar 12 00:20 Public Safety Communications: Preliminary Information on FirstNet’s Efforts to Establish a Nationwide Broadband Network, GAO-15-380T: Published: …
British APCO – LTE Applications via Google Alerts Mar 11 22:20 Europe’s leading Public Safety Communications Exhibition & Conference. B-APCO 2015 is Europe’s leading, free-to-attend multi-agency forum in …
MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report – 74.63.161 via Google Alerts Mar 11 22:20 The FCC amended two Part 90 rules in a second order on reconsideration petition filed by the Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC).
Firefighter Communications: IAFC President: FirstNet is Critically Important to Public Safety – FireEngineering.com via Google Alerts Mar 11 18:00 … that FirstNet’s goal of building a nationwide public-safety broadband network to meet first responders’ needs is critically important for public safety.
FCC Takes Charge Net Neutrality and Muni Broadband – Cinnamon Mueller via Google Alerts Mar 11 15:30 Events that our clients may want to keep on their calendars.
NTIA Announces New Multistakeholder Process on Drone Privacy – myCorporateResource.com via Google Alerts Mar 11 11:55 Hunton & Williams: NTIA Announces New Multistakeholder Process on Drone Privacy.
Public Safety Communications – US Government Accountability Office via Google Alerts Mar 11 11:20 FirstNet has made progress establishing an organizational structure, planning the nationwide public-safety broadband network, and consulting with …
Lynx portable networks for public safety – Bapco Journal via Google Alerts Mar 11 10:10 A multi-partner project has culminated in the development of a ruggedised flat-panel antenna suitcase satcom terminal with support for broadband, …
MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report – 74.63.161 via Google Alerts Mar 11 00:30 FCC Sides with Sprint in 800 MHz Rebanding Dispute with Arizona Utility (3/10/15) The FCC generally agreed with the 800 MHz Transition …
Calling Nokia Networks… Vodafone NZ to conduct first Kiwi Voice over LTE call – Computerworld New Zealand via Google Alerts Mar 10 21:50 Last year, Vodafone also launched its commercial 700 MHz LTE network, one of the first Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) 700 MHz networks in the …
FTC Officials Concerned About Jurisdiction After FCC Net Neutrality Order – International Association of Privacy Professionals via Google Alerts Mar 10 19:30 At issue is a recent and historic order by the FCC to reclassify broadband providers as public utilities, which effectively removes that entire Internet …
Mobile Broadband Strategies – Yankee Group via Google Alerts Mar 10 18:55 Could the upcoming 600 MHz incentive spectrum auction be taking an ugly turn? ABC filed a formal complaint with the FCC accusing Verizon …
PTS markets day to cover 700 MHz band, broadband rules – Telecompaper via Google Alerts Mar 10 13:50 Swedish postal and telecoms regulator PTS said the 700 MHz band and the new broadband regulations have been put on the agenda for its markets …
To prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from reclassifying broadband Internet access … – Congress.gov via Google Alerts Mar 6 09:50 H.R.1212 – To prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from reclassifying broadband Internet access service as a telecommunications …