The first nationwide public safety broadband network, known as FirstNet, secured partnership commitments from about half of the states and two U.S. territories by the end of October, according to testimony before a congressional panel on Wednesday.
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology heard testimony from First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), AT&T and Digital Decision representatives, and state officials from Virginia and New Hampshire, during Wednesday’s hearing.
“A lot of work at this committee went into reviewing the recommendations from the 9/11 commission on how to better prepare our first responders in times of crisis,” U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), the chairwoman of the subcommittee, said. “Interoperability has long been a challenge for our state and local authorities, and in the wake of the recent natural disasters they have faced, its importance is as clear as ever.”
Michael Poth, the CEO of FirstNet, an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce, testified that state plans for the network were delivered in June, ahead of schedule. States that elect not to opt in to FirstNet are required to submit plans to develop and maintain a state-run radio access network (RAN) within 180 days of notice.
“FirstNet has made a great deal of progress over the past year,” Poth said. “We successfully completed a comprehensive nationwide request for proposal process, awarded a 25-year contract to AT&T — an innovative private sector technology partner who has nearly 140 years of experience serving the public safety community — and worked effectively and efficiently with AT&T to deliver state plans three months ahead of schedule and update those plans based on stakeholder input. We are now focused on preparing for the deployment of the network in opt-in states and territories and the next crucial phase of the project — public safety user adoption.”
Chris Sambar, the senior vice president of AT&T, testified that the company would invest approximately $40 billion over the life of its 25-year contract with FirstNet.
“As of Oct. 31, half of the states and two territories have opted in to FirstNet,” Sambar said.
“Many cited low-risk, expanded coverage, increased network capacity, and/or immediate access to mission-critical capabilities as key reasons for their early opt-in decision. In fact, three of these states — Michigan, Arizona, and Alabama — decided to opt in after evaluating proposals from competing vendors. Even with that additional information and due diligence, states still opt in, confirming that the FirstNet AT&T state plans deliver the best network and services public safety needs and deserves.”
Virginia was the first state to opt in. Virginia Secretary Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran testified that, “The decision to opt-in was based on the desire to ensure, as quickly as possible, that public safety is able to leverage the benefits of priority and preemption service, as well as to prevent costs to the Commonwealth and move forward with the collaborative process of building the network to meet the Virginia-specific needs of public safety.”
However, John Stevens, the statewide interoperability coordinator for New Hampshire, raised concerns about the 180-day deadline. He argued that states didn’t have enough time to conduct due diligence.
“Because New Hampshire has been out in front of this process for the past two years and has already created an alternative plan, New Hampshire is well-positioned to assist other states who are considering an opt-out decision,” Stevens said. “That is why (New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu) created a FirstNet Optout Review Committee to further investigate regulatory and financial issues that would be associated with that decision.”
Stevens said the state’s emphasis is on understanding procedural requirements and regulatory agreements, understanding justification for “arbitrary and capricious fees and penalties,” and fully understanding the feasibility, sustainability and financial requirements to operate and maintain a FirstNet network in the state for the next 25 years.
Robert LeGrande, the founder of Digital Decision, said the FirstNet Board and staff members have “done a good job” of leveraging commercial investments and innovation to secure public safety, but he added that FirstNet must leverage all the benefits of a competitive communications marketplace.
“And, we must ensure that it achieves the primary goal that Congress set out to achieve: effective, reliable, and interoperable communications for first responders,” LeGrande said.