The state decision on whether to opt out of FirstNet “doesn’t happen today,” said NTIA ProgramnManager Laura Pettus Friday during a Broadband US TV discussion of the $7 billion national publicnsafety network. She first described in a presentation followed by a conversation with several others thenFirstNet implementation grant process that’s currently receiving applications. “We’ve heard from almostnevery state, that they plan to participate,” Pettus said. She said the more than $100 million in grants isn“not a lot of money” when divided up but “extremely valuable” as an upfront infusion to kick off states’nstakeholder consultation process. “The opt-out decision happens down the line.” Even if a state opts out,nthe network it creates will still have to fold into what will be a nationwide network either way, she added.nParticipants debated FirstNet’s necessary level of hardening standards, its choice of LTE, potential collaborationnwith utilities and other entities, the sufficiency of funding and potential controversy over whatnattorney and co-moderator Marty Stern of K&L Gates called “a wireless carrier-centric approach” laid outnat the FirstNet board’s first meeting last fall. Alcatel-Lucent Director-Mission Critical Broadband SolutionsnMichael Hardiman and Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Chief Counsel JeffnCohen said the network will primarily be used to transfer data but could include non-mission criticalnvoice, useful as a backup. Cohen has heard guesses from vendors that mission-critical voice may be possiblenin four to 12 years, he said, saying there’s reason to be optimistic but no one can know for sure.nCohen spoke highly of the FirstNet board’s initial presentations on possible network design and creditednthem as part of its “excellent opportunity” to solicit feedback, captured in NTIA’s fall notice of inquiry.nNTIA’s Pettus underscored the “priority of stakeholders” that the FirstNet board is considering, with a focusnon public safety and state, local and tribal stakeholders now. “They’re all a part of the plan,” she said,nreferring to the limitations of FirstNet’s “skeleton staff” now.
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