LETTER FROM THE FIRSTNET AUTHORITY CEO
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Roadmap is our guide to the future of FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network.

First released in 2019, the Roadmap reflects public safety’s most pressing needs for the network. The FirstNet Authority consults the Roadmap as we prioritize network investments, resources, programs, and activities to support public safety communications.
The results have been impactful. Since the Roadmap’s initial release, the FirstNet Authority has invested in FirstNet, including indoor and rural coverage, a fleet of deployable assets that has aided in numerous disaster response operations, and 5G expansion.
The Roadmap provided a way forward to evolve the network, and now I am happy to present an update to the Roadmap.
This update comes at a pivotal point in time for the FirstNet Authority and the network. The initial five-year buildout of FirstNet is being completed. As we enter the next phase of the network, we’re faced with the question—what’s next? I am excited for what the future holds for public safety communications, and this Roadmap will help us shape the future of FirstNet.
To design this Roadmap, our team once again turned to public safety. Through our engagements and data collection efforts, we worked closely with public safety to understand their current communications challenges. We heard one theme emerge time and time again: We need it to work for us.
It’s simple, but powerful. First responders face incredible challenges every day, and they need their tools to work—without question. This update to the FirstNet Authority Roadmap outlines ways our team can support that goal: ensuring the network remains dependable, connecting responders to each other and the critical information they need, and enhancing the network so public safety can take advantage of innovative technologies.
Feedback from public safety has always been the backbone of our work at the FirstNet Authority. With this Roadmap, we are working to transform that feedback into the future of public safety communications.

Joe Wassel
FirstNet Authority CEO