FirstNet opens innovative lab to test public safety devices, apps

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) marked the opening of a new test lab this week that will specialize in testing public safety features, devices and apps before network deployment.  

The FirstNet Innovation and Test Lab, operating at FirstNet’s technical headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, boasts “plug and play” capabilities that enable private industry partners to test devices and apps before they are deployed on the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network.

“The opening of our lab is a great accomplishment for FirstNet in our efforts to deploy public safety’s network and we’re proud to open it ahead of schedule and under budget,” Mike Poth, the CEO of FirstNet, said. “This will enable FirstNet to get advanced technology into the hands of our first responders and help them save lives and secure communities.”

In addition to offering validation and verification testing for network services and features, the lab will also assist its partners with research and development related to public safety and broadband technologies.

“When first responders are racing to help in disasters and emergencies, they need communications tools that are tested and proven to work,” Jeff Bratcher, the chief technology officer at FirstNet, said. “This lab will help FirstNet and our future partner ensure that public safety features, devices, and applications run properly on the network and are ready for first responders to use.”

The lab will also offer training, demonstrations and user evaluations of future FirstNet network technologies and applications.