Coverage, Resiliency Are Big Issues as FirstNet Meets With States
FirstNet held in-person consultations with 36 states and territories after delivering AT&T state plans June 19, said FirstNet Director-Consultation David Buchanan Wednesday on an International Wireless Communications Expo webinar. Remaining meetings are scheduled before Aug. 4, he said. FirstNet met…
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with state single points of contacts, with governors attending in a few states. FirstNet delivered plans to 53 of 56 states and territories, with Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa still to go, he said. Coverage has been a hot topic in the consultations, Buchanan said. Todd Early, Texas Department of Public Safety deputy assistant director, agreed coverage is a critical concern for his state, the second largest in the U.S. He said the state is reviewing the AT&T plan. Network uptime and resiliency is a big discussion point in talks with AT&T and California, said Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System Executive Director Scott Edson. “Public safety is making a demand to ensure that we do have that,” and states should insist the issue is fully addressed in final state plans, he said. Early opt-ins by Virginia and Wyoming (see 1707110059) excited FirstNet, which looks forward to continuing the dialog with the 54 other states and territories, Buchanan said. States have until Aug. 4 to provide feedback on initial plans, then FirstNet will provide final plans this fall, he said.