News and Events
Use the filters below to narrow publications by offices, programs or categories
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of eleven public safety, technology, and business leaders to the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and the selection of a new Board Chair.
WASHINGTON –The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Federal Register Notice to seek expressions of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority Board or Board). The Board works closely with the FirstNet Authority management and is responsible for providing overall policy direction and strategic guidance.
WASHINGTON – The Task Force on Kids Online Health & Safety, led by the Department of Health and Human Services, in close partnership with the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), held its inaugural meeting on Monday.
This week marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and NTIA is joining the entire nation in saluting our dedicated 911 telecommunicators. The dedicated professionals who answer our country’s 911 calls are a crucial first touch point to communities and individuals experiencing emergency situations. Whether taking and triaging initial calls for assistance, routing life-saving emergency medical services, or dispatching and coordinating field responders, America’s 911 professionals save lives each and every day.
Every day, across our country, Americans facing emergencies contact 911 with the expectation that their call will be heard and someone will be dispatched quickly to render aid. The professional public safety telecommunicators that keep our 911 system running are the lifeline between the public and our first responders.
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the appointment of Robert Tipton (Tip) Osterthaler to serve as Board Chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority).
Statement from Douglas Kinkoph, performing the delegated duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information:
“We congratulate the FirstNet Board for its decision to name Ed Parkinson as Executive Director. Ed’s energy and enthusiasm for the FirstNet mission, and deep roots in the public safety community, make him the right person to oversee the successful deployment of a world-class dedicated public safety communications network.”
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the appointment of two leaders in public safety and law enforcement to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority).
Today, NTIA filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update the rules governing Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) so that it better reflects current technologies and industry practices. NTIA filed the petition and a draft set of updated rules on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
NTIA, on behalf of the First Responder Network Authority, is seeking a new board member for a seat that will become vacant in August, according to a Federal Register notice. The 15-member FirstNet board includes 12 non-permanent members, the Secretary of Homeland Security, U.S. Attorney General and Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Remarks of David J. Redl
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information
NG911 Institute 16th Annual 911 Honor Awards
Washington, D.C.
February 13, 2019
-- As Prepared for Delivery --
It’s a pleasure to be here. Thank you to Patrick Halley for inviting me to speak today, and congratulations to the outstanding honor awards recipients.
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Transportation released the preliminary funding allocations for the 911 Grant Program that will offer up to $110 million to help states, territories, tribal organizations and the District of Columbia upgrade their 911 call centers to Next Generation (NG911) capabilities.
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross conducted the official swearing-in of seven new or re-appointed members to serve on the Board of the FirstNet Responder Network Authority. The Board oversees the activities of FirstNet to ensure that its public-private partnership with AT&T continues to successfully develop, build, and operate a nationwide broadband network that will equip first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities.
As public safety agencies around the country take advantage of FirstNet, the first nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN), NTIA is marking the end of a grant program that helped lay the groundwork for FirstNet’s success.
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the appointment of six leaders in public safety, technology and network financing to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).
Today, NTIA and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announced that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has reappointed Edward Horowitz to the FirstNet Board and named him Chair of the Board for a two-year term. Additionally, FirstNet Authority CEO Mike Poth has accepted a position in the private sector and will assist with transition efforts before leaving his position at the end of September.
Today, FirstNet Board Chair Sue Swenson and Vice Chair Jeffrey Johnson notified Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Redl of their resignation from the FirstNet board. Formal letters of resignation have been submitted to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
Today, NTIA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the opening of the 911 Grant Program, which will provide as much as $110 million to help 911 call centers across the country upgrade equipment and operations to Next Generation (NG911) capabilities.
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Transportation announced final rules for a grant program that will offer up to $110 million to help states, territories, tribal organizations and the District of Columbia upgrade their 911 call centers to Next Generation (NG911) capabilities.
This week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update the rules governing Wireless Priority Service (WPS), a program that enables wireless emergency calls to get through if networks are congested.
TESTIMONY OF DAVID J. REDL
ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (NTIA)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
JUNE 13, 2018
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On May 9, 2018, the U.S. Commerce Department brought together more than 100 small businesses for matchmaking opportunities with AT&T and five first-tier vendors helping AT&T build FirstNet, a nationwide broadband network and related services for first responders. In March 2017, the Department entered into a 25-year contract with AT&T for constructing and operating FirstNet.
NTIA is pleased to announce it has completed making 46 grant awards under the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) 2.0, which will help states and territories prepare for FirstNet’s buildout of the nationwide public safety broadband network.