News and Events

April 8-14 marks this year’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, when we take time to appreciate and thank the dedicated professionals who staff the thousands of 911 centers throughout the nation. These devoted public servants work quietly on the front lines of emergencies, serving as “the first of our first responders.”

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) announced that all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have accepted FirstNet and AT&T’s proposals to design and build a broadband network for the public safety community. Guam, the Pacific Territories of American Samoa, and the Mariana Islands have until March 12, 2018, to make their decision.

Source: United States Coast Guard

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today issued a final rule regarding its review of fees that the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) may assess to help fund operations. The final rule makes clear that NTIA will ensure that the fees FirstNet assesses are sufficient to cover its expenses but do not exceed what is needed to carry out its duties.

WASHINGTON – The U.S.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it is proposing new rules to guide its review of fees that the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) may assess pursuant to its statute. The framework is intended to enable FirstNet to operate in a competitive marketplace, giving it the flexibility it needs to meet its business and budgetary goals.

When Congress called for the creation of a nationwide broadband network for public safety in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, lawmakers knew it was important that states play a key role in ensuring that the network meets the needs of local first responders. To implement this goal, the law directed NTIA to establish the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) to support states as they prepare for the launch of the network.

First responders know the deadly consequences of not having a communications network that is reliable and interoperable, a problem highlighted during the September 2001 terrorist attacks and Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy.  

The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is working to ensure our nation’s first responders have access to the most advanced communications when responding to an emergency or natural disaster.

With the start of summer comes the beginning of the hurricane season along much of the U.S. coast.  And with hurricanes comes the increased possibility that communications could be disrupted.

DENVER – First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Board Chairman Sam Ginn announced that he has named Board member Sue Swenson as vice chairman. Ginn tasked Swenson with overseeing the Board’s extensive planning and oversight work. 

DENVER – The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Board today approved separate agreements with the State of New Jersey and Adams County, Colo. allowing them to lease access to FirstNet’s spectrum. With the approval of these agreements, FirstNet has entered in to four separate spectrum lease agreements with public safety Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grantees.

Angela Simpson
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information
PLI/FCBA Telecommunications Policy & Regulation Institute
Washington, D.C.
December 5, 2013

- As prepared for delivery-

Thank you to the folks at the Practicing Law Institute and the FCBA for inviting me to speak to you today on behalf of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).  

Written Testimony of
Samuel Ginn
Chairman
First Responder Network Authority Board

Before the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
United States House of Representatives

Hearing on
“Oversight of FirstNet and the Advancement of Public Safety Wireless Communications”

November 21, 2013

WASHINGTON — Board member Kevin McGinnis and Deputy General Manager TJ Kennedy of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) convened a one-day workshop to seek guidance from tribal representatives and Indian Country professionals on how to approach tribal outreach and education.

WASHINGTON - "We thank the FCC for issuing its Order implementing technical and operational rules for FirstNet. Unification of the technical service requirements consolidates and streamlines regulatory requirements applicable to the public safety broadband network.  We also applaud the FCC's actions in lifting the freeze on device certifications, paving the way for certification of devices in Band 14.  This will enable vendors to ship products capable of operating over the FirstNet network in the near future."   

WASHINGTON –  The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) today voted to establish Northern Virginia as its corporate headquarters and the Boulder, Colorado area as its technical, engineering and network design headquarters.

WASHINGTON — Senior leaders of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and members of the organization’s technical team met September 11 with the 41-member Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) in San Diego, CA. The agenda included a progress update and discussion of  activities in support of the development of FirstNet, a single, nationwide, high-speed network dedicated to public safety. 

WASHINGTON — First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) General Manager Bill D’Agostino announced today that FirstNet has posted its answers to questions received from potential respondents to 10 Requests for Information (RFIs) issued on July 10. The RFIs seek information regarding deployment options for two key portions of the nationwide, broadband public safety network: the radio access network (RAN) and core network.

WASHINGTON — First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) General Manager Bill D’Agostino  announced today that FirstNet has completed its analysis of 54 industry responses to its April 15, 2013, Request for Information (RFI) for wireless devices.

WASHINGTON — Senior leaders of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) met yesterday with the Executive Committee of APCO International at the association’s 79^th Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA, and pledged to continue their close collaboration to help ensure the successful development of FirstNet.