FirstNet, which is planning a nationwide public safety LTE network, marked its first anniversary by approving a business plan for 2014 and signing its second spectrum lease — while running into such troubles with three potential pilot projects that it concluded that agreements could not be reached.
The board adopted a $194 million budget.
“A goal without a plan is a dream, and today the Board adopted a 2014 business plan,” said Bill D’Agostino, FirstNet’s general manager. “The 2014 business plan sets the course for us to continue building the foundational elements of the organization and network infrastructure. We will also identify the ultimate structure for public/private partnerships that are essential for FirstNet to achieve and sustain our mission.”
FirstNet’s goals for 2014 include:
- Continuing to build the foundation of the organization and the future network infrastructure, as well as identifying the structure for public/private partnerships for the network.
- Establishing a sense of urgency, balanced with the need to spend its funds judiciously.
- Develop productive relationships with public safety and government stakeholders at all levels, from federal to tribe, city and county.
Read more details of the plan here.
FirstNet also signed its second spectrum lease, with the state of New Mexico. The lease is the first step toward New Mexico being able to access funding from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program that was suspended with the formation of FirstNet. FirstNet said that if the funding is resumed, the key issues from the New Mexico project include the use of a network core located remotely; spectrum management and network use issues along the U.S.-Mexico border; and shared use of a state network with a large number of federal users.
A pilot project in Los Angeles known as LA Safetynet has already had its BTOP funding resumed after signing a FirstNet lease. However, board member Sue Swenson told the board that after six months of negotiations, agreement could not be reached with three jurisdictions: Adams County Communications Center Inc. in Colorado; the city of Charlotte, N.C., and the New Jersey Department of the Treasury.
“Each of these projects presented unique and complex circumstances, but we left no stone unturned in our efforts to reach agreements with each project,” said Swenson. “While we were hopeful these talks would conclude successfully, in the end we couldn’t finalize agreements that made sense given FirstNet’s task of designing, deploying and operating a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network. We are disappointed but appreciate the hard work from all of the jurisdictions and look forward to working with them and all states toward their successful participation in the nationwide network.”
Discussions with a non-BTOP-funded pilot in the state of Texas are still ongoing,and the board approved extensions for negotiations on a project in Mississippi.
According to FirstNet, the end date for the BTOP safety projects is Sept. 30 and the projects that have not signed leases with FirstNet now have two options: to submit an extension request that includes a revised plan for broadband communications and explains how the project with proceed without an LTE component, or to start the closeout process for the grant.
Also at its meeting, the board also was able to take a step back toward overseeing, rather than the board members being directly involved in operational functions — which has been a necessity so far due to the lack of staff and organizational structure.
“The Board members jump-started our efforts, and now it’s time for management to take the reins and continue the momentum,” said Ginn. “It’s time for Board members to return to their rightful roles.”
The board approved a resolution to transfer operational responsibilities to the management team headed by D’Agostino. Deputy General Manager TJ Kennedy, who was recently hired, will take over outreach efforts led by board member Jeffrey Johnson and the work done by board member Sue Swenson on negotiating spectrum lease agreements for the BTOP pilot projects. Board member Craig Farrill continues to act as CTO until FirstNet hires one.
In conjunction with the move, however, Ginn established four board committees for oversight: governance and personnel (chaired by Ginn), audit and budget (chaired by board member Tim Bryan), planning and technology (chaired by Farrill), and user outreach (chaired by Johnson).
One seat on the board remains vacant, after board member Bill Keever stepped down to focus on running his family business. The board has been soliciting candidates since May; NTIA pre-screened the candidates and Ginn will eventually make a recommendation to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on an appointee, although Pritzker will make the final decision. Board members Teri Takai, Johnson and Swenson were all re-appointed.
