FirstNet GM: State Opt-Out Should Be 'Last Stance'

摘要

First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) General Manager Bill D'Agostino Jr. stressed recently the importance to the nationwide public safety broadband network of states not opting out and choosing to deploy their own radio access networks (RANs), saying that if a lot of states go that path it could "delever the whole process." Under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, which established FirstNet and reserved $7 billion for the nationwide public safety network, a state can opt out of participating in the deployment of the FirstNet system and deploy its own RAN. However, the state must show that its plan will comply with the minimum technical interoperability requirements of the FirstNet system and be interoperable with the nationwide network.