Start the Clock: FirstNet Alerts Governors About State Plans
FirstNet gave official notice of state plans to governors, triggering a 90-day shot clock ending Dec. 28 for governors to decide whether to accept AT&T radio-access-network plans, the authority said in a Friday news release. FirstNet delivered final state plans…
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the previous week but couldn’t start the clock until NTIA provided funding level determinations (see 1709270056). Governors now have that funding information and an NTIA spokesman said Friday the agency likely would release it publicly that day or Monday. “As the governors look to make their decisions, we will continue to work closely with the states to ensure the network meets the needs of their first responders,” said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. Also, FirstNet and NTIA plan Monday to publish an environmental impact statement for the south region of the national public safety broadband network, said a notice in Friday's Federal Register. FirstNet has opt-ins from 24 states and territories; the other 32 are still considering. Earlier last week, FirstNet announced Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) opted in. Oregon and Washington state said they will jointly release a request for proposals for alternative RAN plans covering both states. The states plan to issue the RFP within two weeks and close the solicitation five weeks later, the Washington governor’s office said. The governors haven’t decided to opt out, it said. AT&T at FCC meetings discussed FirstNet (see 1709290054).