FirstNet faces coverage, funding challenges.

AuthorTorres, Kristen

* Four years into the planning of a high-speed nationwide public safety wireless broadband network, state and federal government representatives remain at odds over financial details of the program, officials said during a recent Senate hearing.

FirstNet was established in 2012 as an independent authority within the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and was tasked with constructing a nationwide emergency communications network.

Officials conducted one-on-one sessions with interested telecommunication companies to discuss commercial offerings and major program objectives and to learn more about industry capabilities to meet those objectives. The contract winner will have use of the extra broadband space when not in use by public safety operators.

"Based on what we've seen in the past, the financial incentive isn't enough for the commercial community to do this on their own," said Michael Poth, chief executive officer of FirstNet, during a hearing of the Senate subcommittee on communications, technology, innovation and the internet. "We know taxpayer funds are simply not there to do this by ourselves."

The $7 billion start-up budget for the program won't sustain FirstNet indefinitely. In order to leverage costs, First-Net will make use of existing infrastructure to provide its coverage, according to officials. FirstNet must also remain a self-sustaining program, which is where its partnership with commercial enterprises comes in.

"FirstNet must offer public safety-grade services at a cost that is competitive to all...

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