03/16/16
Next Deadline in FirstNet RFP is March 31
In January, FirstNet released its Request for Proposals (RFP) for a nationwide public safety broadband network. The final proposal deadline was extended by two weeks from April 29 to May 13, 2016, after FirstNet received hundreds of questions about the RFP. In an interview with The Business of Federal Technology, FirstNet officials say they’ve answered 334 of the RFP questions and 68 questions that remain will be answered this week. FirstNet officials say they are on track for the proposal deadline and do not foresee any other delays.
Recent News // Rural communities working for better broadband
Monday, March 14, 2016
03/08/16
FirstNet Releases FY 2015 Annual Report to Congress
FirstNet recently released its fiscal year 2015 Annual Report to Congress. The report comes just days after the fourth anniversary of the passage of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012—legislation which marked the start of FirstNet’s mission to create a nationwide wireless public safety network.
The report highlights 11 major accomplishments from FirstNet’s work in 2015, including:
02/24/16
FirstNet Releases Answers to 402 RFP Questions, Hosts Pre-Proposal Conference March 10
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) recently released a list of answers to questions received regarding its recent Request for Proposal (RFP) for a comprehensive nationwide LTE broadband network. FirstNet has answered a total of 402 questions on a wide range of topics – all related to the RFP.
02/17/16
Reading Room Offers Public Access to All Things FirstNet
In January, FirstNet released its Request for Proposals (RFP) for a comprehensive LTE broadband network. The network will cover 56 states and territories and provide quality, reliable interoperability for national public safety measures.
02/10/16
Public Safety Network Tested During Super Bowl 50
During Sunday’s Super Bowl 50 event, Parallel Wireless and its partners, along with a Special Temporary Authorization (STA) from the FCC and support from FirstNet, set up an LTE public safety network. Parallel Wireless mounted radios on the north and south scoreboards in Levi’s Stadium to provide law enforcement their own frequencies for wireless communication.
Steve Kropper, Vice President of Parallel Wireless, shared this statement:
02/03/16
House Holds Hearing for FirstNet Updates
The U.S. House of Representatives Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing on February 2 to discuss the progress of FirstNet. The hearing was an opportunity to review and better understand the recent release of FirstNet’s Request for Proposal (RFP) for the nation’s first public safety broadband network.
01/28/16
Upcoming Wireless Communications Industry Conference to Highlight FirstNet
FirstNet will be a key focus for the upcoming International Wireless and Communications Expo (IWCE) in March. The first large industry event to follow the recent Request for Proposal (RFP) for a nationwide public safety broadband network, the conference will offer various information sessions on FirstNet—its history, next phases, and case studies.
01/20/16
FirstNet Issues RFP for Nationwide LTE Network for Public Safety
On January 13, FirstNet released its Request for Proposals (RFP) for a nationwide public safety broadband network.
01/13/16
FirstNet 2015: Year in Review
In a blog post from Jeff Johnson, FirstNet Board Vice Chair, he outlines the progress the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) has made in 2015. Many impactful steps were taken to forward FirstNet’s efforts to deploy a nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN).
Beginning in July of 2014, FirstNet completed initial consultations with 55 states and territories in 2015. These initial consultations provide valuable feedback from first responders across the U.S. who will actually use the FirstNet network.
