FirstNet provides next steps for nationwide broadband network rollout

In the weeks since AT&T was awarded a contract to develop the first nationwide broadband network for first responders, FirstNet has since been begun the process of providing each state governor with a notice of completion for the request for proposal process.

While AT&T was awarded with the development contract, FirstNet will also be working with Motorola Solutions, General Dynamics, Sapient Consulting, and Inmarsat Government to deploy the network.

FirstNet is also providing specific details of the proposed plan and the funding levels for each state and territory.

According to FirstNet, each governor will have 90 days to choose whether or not to participate in the plan or submit its own plans to deploy a radio access network (RAN), which serves as a core within each state’s responder network.

Should any governor choose to opt out and build their own RAN, FirstNet stated that it would delay the process of building out a RAN in that state. Individual states would take on any technical, operational, political, and financial risks related to developing their own RAN for the next 25 years.

For the decision making period, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) recently provided members with a series of suggestions in support of FirstNet developing each state RAN.

Suggestions included informing the governor of the financial and political risks of not opting in to the FirstNet plan, ensuring each governor understands that opt-in states will receive priority services immediately and includes AT&T’s nationwide network and and its long-term evolution (LTE) bands, and informing each governor that it is not possible to turn a profit for the state for its own statewide network.