Response to FirstNet's rural broadband plans

Following an order released last week by the US FCC with regard to procedures for commission review of state opt-out requests from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), Michael Romano, senior vice president of Industry Affairs and Business Development for NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, has issued a statement outlining the NTCA’s response.

“Although NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association hoped the FCC might adopt more specific guidelines for FirstNet deployment in rural areas, we are very pleased that the order released by the commission … recognises the statutory obligation of FirstNet to ensure ‘substantial rural coverage’ and includes an express commitment to monitor FirstNet’s ongoing compliance with that mandate,” he said.

The FCC’s order provides “a mechanism to facilitate the relocation of the public safety narrowband incumbents currently operating on FirstNet’s spectrum. We also affirmatively decline at this time to impose specific build-out requirements on FirstNet as a condition of renewal of its licence.”

The order goes on to say, “Rather, we find that the build-out obligations and specifications of the Act, coupled with the specifications of FirstNet’s recently released Request for Proposal (Final RFP), provide adequate milestones to ensure rural coverage while also providing both FirstNet and the states flexibility in terms of planning for optimal network coverage. We will continue to monitor FirstNet’s buildout progress against these milestones, and expect that existing reporting obligations will be sufficient to allow the Commission to carry out its licence renewal responsibilities.”

NTCA’s Romano said that “FirstNet’s request for proposal contemplates real commitments with respect to rural deployment and leveraging of existing rural network assets”.

“NTCA’s rural telecom members look forward to working to help FirstNet and its partners achieve those commitments consistent with the vision of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.”

Image courtesy FCC.