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Interoperability of communications systems has been the biggest challenge following large-scale natural and manmade disasters. It required a catastrophic event for our nation to recognize the importance of communications interoperability for all the different parts of our emergency service system, including first responders, police, fire and other agencies.
The ability of public safety personnel to communicate with each other via existing communications systems, and provide real-time voice and/or data, is essential in times of emergency for tactical operations and strategic emergency management that allows continuity of operations.
FirstNet
Congress passed The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, creating FirstNet, addressing one of the 9/11 Commission's last recommendations, in 2012, which would create a high-speed broadband network. The passage of the Act was a result of the hard-fought efforts of a coalition of public safety stakeholders, who advocated for the network funding, spectrum, and governance.
This LTE network would create interoperability nationwide for first responders and public safety personnel. In January 2016, FirstNet released a request for proposal (RFP) to deploy, maintain and operate an LTE network with a single 25-year contract to be awarded. The deadline for proposals was May 31, 2016. FirstNet is on track to award that contract in November 2016.
FirstNet is working closely with the state single point of contact (SPOC) and governmental body during state and local planning consultation to gather requirements from key stakeholders. In 2016, FirstNet met with 55 states and territories and held meetings with more than 45,000 stakeholders in attendance total. The information gathered during these consultation efforts was used to inform the RFP, and will help to inform State Plans.
The states will each get a State Plan from FirstNet and they can opt to either use the state plan that FirstNet delivers to them or they can decide to do their own state plan, which will have to be approved by the FCC and NTIA. If they decide to use the FirstNet plan, there will be no cost to them as the FirstNet funding is already there. Congress provided $7 billion from the proceeds of spectrum auctions. Those funds will be contracted through FirstNet to the vendor at no cost to the state.
The FirstNet Network will provide mission-critical wireless broadband services...