The board of the proposed national public safety network, FirstNet, had its first meeting, collecting the first round of comments on proposals for the broad outline of the network.
FirstNet has floated three network alternatives for the planned LTE public safety network that it is tasked to create: a stand-alone network; working with a single nationwide wireless operators; or creating a network that works with multiple wireless operators and systems. The third option has been the most well-received.
During opening remarks at the FirstNet board meeting, Chairman Sam Ginn commented that the undertaking will be “the most complicated telecommunications project in the nation’s history, without question.”
That’s obvious from the dozens of comments filed in response to FirstNet’s basic network outlines. Several common themes emerged from those comments, which came from a variety of cities, states, public safety agencies, network vendors, and wireless and wireline operators.
How hardened should the network be?
One obvious point of contention among commentators is what level of survivability should be required for network equipment and devices – which could impact co-located equipment, carrier’s willingness to share network resources, and device availability and cost.
Verizon Wireless noted in its comment that simply having the availability to roam onto multiple networks doesn’t ensure reliable access, particularly in disaster situations.
“Commercial operators often share components such as towers and other infrastructure, and a severe storm could knock down a tower or flood a building that is shared by multiple commercial operators, or disrupt commercial power sources that serve multiple commercial networks,” Verizon Wireless said. “FirstNet will need to take all of these factors into account when deciding what level of hardening it requires for the [network].”
Many commentators pointed out that FirstNet should plan to take advantage of not only commercial wireless infrastructure resources, but also sites and equipment already owned by local and state agencies, such as radio sites and microwave backhaul. The Major Cities Chiefs Association, which includes police chiefs of large urban areas, said that such sites are often already hardened to a higher standard of survivability than most commercial facilities.
Meanwhile, wireless infrastructure trade association PCIA noted that “one thing that FirstNet could do that would discourage wireless industry participation would be to add stringent hardening requirements on existing infrastructure” because of time and cost constraints.
National network with local control?
Science Applications International recommended that NTIA establish a nationwide broadband technical support contract, and noted that NITA used a similar framework to grant holders under its Public Safety Interoperable Communications program.
“NTIA could use this model to provide a cadre of broadband and LTE technology subject matter experts at the national level to assist states during the planning phase. They would share key implementation practices and standardize nationwide planning to ensure a common product for effective use by FirstNet,” SAIC said.
The MCCA said that since “major cities public safey agencies are most familiar with local conditions and the interrelationships that exist between agencies. It is therefore important that major cities control many of the administrative and operational functions of the FNN within their jurisdictions. These functions include device provisioning, user parameters, skills, qualifications and assigned roles.” They also suggested that FirstNet work with city and state officials to establish multiple network operations centers where local officials could monitor and control network parameters within their area.
Several commentators encouraged FirstNet to embrace a close relationship with the states as the network is developed – including the states themselves. A coalition of half-dozen Western states, including Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, asked that FirstNet establish an advisory committee for the states as it has for public safety, and allow governors to appoint their senior technical advisors or state IT officers to the committee to open a direct dialogue between FirstNet and the states on network development.
Who will benefit in rural areas?
SAIC floated the idea that in rural areas where public safety traffic is very low, commercial ISPs might be interested in using the network to connect isolated areas with minimal infrastructure costs, offsetting some of FirstNet’s investments. However, other commentators want FirstNet to strictly adhere to its mission as a public safety network.
AT&T, for instance, said it “feels strongly that the FirstNet National Network should be utilized only by users providing public safety services … . Limiting network use in this manner will simplify management of the network and insure that the network is available to public safety users when needed. … Further, funds … should be used only to support public safety, not to facilitate deployment of commercial wireless services.”
Satellite communications have also been proposed to play a role in the FirstNet network for deeply rural and wilderness areas, either for primary connectivity and/or for backhaul.
Verizon Wireless said it supports local site sharing for physical infrastructure such as tower space, power and HVAC equipment, and backhaul rights-of-way, and that it is “willing to enter into such commercial agreements with FirstNet subject to availability and Verizon’s ongoing need to provide reliable service to its customers.”
The carrier went on to say that it “already is planning for bi-directional roaming between its commercial LTE network and [FirstNet]” to allow authorized public safety users on FirstNet to roam onto Verizon Wireless’ network – and for public safety users who primarily rely on Verizon Wireless service (where FirstNet has not yet deployed) to be able to roam onto the FirstNet network where it is available.
T-Mobile USA said that it “supports the integration of commercial and public safety networks to the maximum extent possible, so that FirstNet can take complete advantage of the well developed commercial wireless ecosystem … . Regardless of the level of integration between FirstNet and commercial networks, FirstNet should enter into roaming agreements with commercial providers.”
T-Mobile USA noted that as part of roaming agreements, “FirstNet can negotiate access to carriers’ spectrum on a priority basis, for different types of communications, so that it has access to additional spectrum in emergency situations even when that spectrum is being used by the commercial carrier’s network” – and that LTE will accommodate such arrangements. Carriers would expect a reciprocal roaming agreement to allow customers to roam onto FirstNet, generating revenue for the network.
T-Mobile USA appeared to envision that commercial carriers could extend their reach in rural areas via FirstNet’s network. It commented that the network “may be constructed in areas – rural locations in particular – where some carriers may find it uneconomic to build. By having access to FirstNet spectrum in those areas, carriers will be better able to provide service to rural customers.”
