WHY THE
FIRSTNET AUTHORITY
SHOULD BE REAUTHORIZED
FIRSTNET KEPT ITS PROMISE TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE TIME IS NOW TO REAUTHORIZE THE AUTHORITY.
The First Responder Network Authority—commonly known as the FirstNet Authority (FNA) or the Authority—is an independent agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The FNA oversees the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN), commonly known as FirstNet, the country’s only dedicated public safety broadband network for public safety and first responders. Advocated for by ALL state and local first responders nationwide in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the FNA is responsible for the buildout, deployment, and oversight of the operation of FirstNet to ensure contractual compliance by its vendor partner.
After the September 11th attacks, public safety called on Congress to pass legislation to create a single technology solution that would be fully interoperable across the nation. Through public safety’s efforts, with BIPARTISAN support, in 2012 Congress passed legislation establishing this single nationwide network and allocating $7 billion and 20 megahertz of broadband spectrum to build and operate the network through 2027. The FNA is funded through fees paid to lease the broadband spectrum.
The First Responder Network Authority—commonly known as the FirstNet Authority (FNA) or the Authority—is an independent agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The FNA oversees the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN), commonly known as FirstNet, the country’s only dedicated public safety broadband network for public safety and first responders. Advocated for by ALL state and local first responders nationwide in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the FNA is responsible for the buildout, deployment, and oversight of the operation of FirstNet to ensure contractual compliance by its vendor partner.
After the September 11th attacks, public safety called on Congress to pass legislation to create a single technology solution that would be fully interoperable across the nation. Through public safety’s efforts, with BIPARTISAN support, in 2012 Congress passed legislation establishing this single nationwide network and allocating $7 billion and 20 megahertz of broadband spectrum to build and operate the network through 2027. The FNA is funded through fees paid to lease the broadband spectrum.
HIGHLIGHTS OF FIRSTNET’S
ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:
MILLION
CONNECTIONS
MILLION SQ. MILES
OF COVERAGE
THAT’S 250,000 MORE THAN COMMERCIAL NETWORKS!
- Creation of the single nationwide interoperable public safety digital platform in the United States, delivered on time and on budget by the FNA with AT&T.
- FirstNet continues to honor its mission: creating and operating a single, self-sustaining technology that’s interoperable nationwide and available only to public safety.
- A robust FirstNet ecosystem of hundreds of apps, devices, and industry partner solutions, independently vetted and verified for reliability and interoperability.
MILLION
CONNECTIONS
MILLION SQ. MILES
OF COVERAGE
THAT’S 250,000 MORE THAN COMMERCIAL NETWORKS!
- Creation of the single nationwide interoperable public safety digital platform in the United States, delivered on time and on budget by the FNA with AT&T.
- FirstNet continues to honor its mission: creating and operating a single, self-sustaining technology that’s interoperable nationwide and available only to public safety.
- A robust FirstNet ecosystem of hundreds of apps, devices, and industry partner solutions, independently vetted and verified for reliability and interoperability.
THE ASK:
CONGRESS NEEDS TO REAUTHORIZE FIRSTNET NOW!
The time is now! By February 2027, the Authority must be reauthorized by Congress to complete its contract and continue to support and advance this unique and critical network. There is urgency to proceed with reauthorization. As a February 2022 U.S. Government Accountability Office report stated, “without legislative action, the publicsafety network will be at risk and first responders could lose service. Congress should consider reauthorizing FirstNet before the 2027 end date to ensure network continuity.”
“Today, FirstNet is a lifeline… It provides us with the vital priority and preemption we need, ensuring our communications get through when commercial networks are congested.”
— John Butler, Fire Chief of Fairfax County, VA, Fire and Rescue and president of the Metro Chiefs Section of the IAFC; past president of IAFC.
- The FirstNet Authority kept its promise to the federal government and to public safety. This first-of-its-kind network was created on schedule and on budget.
- The FNA has never sought additional funds from Congress to complete or continue its work.
- A single nationwide public safety broadband network is what emergency responders demanded and what they require in an increasingly complex, technology-driven world.
- There is no federal appropriation for FirstNet, which is funded through lease fees paid by AT&T. So eliminating the Authority will not save money for the federal government.
- Oversight remains central to the very foundation of FirstNet. The FNA Board, guided by public safety and industry leaders, has been critical in ensuring FirstNet remains accountable in delivering reliable support to public safety.
AGENCIES
Agencies depend on FirstNet to provide reliable, priority connections for daily operations, during and after disasters, and at large public events across suburban, metro, rural, remote, and tribal areas.
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Company
PUBLIC SAFETY BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION
Operated by
Public Safety 360, LLC
Address
3540 W Sahara Ave. #316
Las Vegas, NV 89102