Today: Ohio Lifeline Recertification, Remaining States Make Decisions on FirstNet Plan

Ohio Lifeline Recertification

The PUC reminds carriers that Ohio ETCs are subject to state jurisdiction including the Lifeline rolling recertification obligation.  Ohio Lifeline ETCs must file the Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Form (FCC Form 555) with the FCC and USAC by January 31, 2018.  The recertification information must also be electronically submitted to the PUC Staff at LLReCert@puc.state.oh.us.

Remaining States Make Decisions on FirstNet

Governors in all 50 states were required to make the “opt-in/opt-out” decision by December 28, 2017.  The following summarizes the last of the states to opt in to the FirstNet Plan, including New Hampshire’s reversal from opt out to opt in. 

• New Hampshire reverses opt out decision and will accept the FirstNet plan.  “New Hampshire was given two options: to ‘opt-in’ and choose the national contractor AT&T’s plan or ‘opt-out’ and go with an alternative plan proposed by Rivada,” said Gov. Sununu.  “While Rivada’s plan remains the better option for New Hampshire, I have determined that the additional risk associated with being the only state to opt-out creates too high a barrier for New Hampshire to continue down the opt-out path alone.”  
• California Governor Jerry Brown announced that the state will opt in to the FirstNet plan after review of the options including responses to the state’s RFP.  “While California remains concerned that the proposed plan does not meet all our state’s needs, California is opting into the plan with the expectation that our concerns will be addressed throughout our partnership,” Brown stated in his letter notifying FirstNet of the “opt-in” decision. 
• Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy announced that the state will opt in to the FirstNet plan.  The Governor created a working group of subject matter experts and the state went through a competitive RFP process.  The Governor took the advisement of the working group and concluded that opting in would best serve the interests of the people of Connecticut.
• Delaware Governor John Carney signed a letter opting into the FirstNet plan.  “Our first responders need access to state-of-the-art technology to communicate and respond effectively during emergency situations,” said Governor Carney. “This is only a first step, but this plan has real potential to prioritize communications among law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS personnel, and help our first responders protect the lives of Delawareans across our state.”
• District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the District opts in to the FirstNet plan.  “DC is home to the bravest first responders in the country and they must have the tools and advanced technologies to save lives and protect communities,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser.  “By opting-in, we are doing our job to make sure the brave men and women who protect the Nation’s Capital has the mission-critical broadband capabilities needed to communication effectively and in real-time.”  The District had previously considered an opt-out plan and solicited bids from vendors willing to build and maintain the alternative radio access network (RAN) in D.C. 
• Florida Governor Rick Scott accepted the FirstNet plan.  He said "Florida has decided to participate in the deployment of the nationwide, interoperable broadband network as proposed in the FirstNet State Plan... I believe this is in the best interest for Florida taxpayers."  Note:  HB 1057 to develop and implement a plan to require emergency dispatchers to be able to transfer emergency calls from one E911 system to another E911 system in the state died in committee in May 2017.
• Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker established the Massachusetts Public Safety Broadband Office (PSBO) to coordinate with FirstNet regarding the implementation of a nationwide, high-speed, wireless data network dedicated to public safety.  To aid the planning process and help assure the FirstNet design for Massachusetts meets the needs of Commonwealth public safety officials and first responders, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security established the Massachusetts FirstNet Advisory Board.
• Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant announced that he has accepted the nationwide public-safety broadband network deployment plan offered by FirstNet.  "I've determined this is the best deal with the least amount of risk for taxpayers," said Governor Bryant. "It will provide our first responders with the tools they need to keep Mississippians safe."
• New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his decision to opt in to the FirstNet plan.  "During emergencies and disasters, every second counts, and ensuring our first responders have the tools they need during a crisis is vital to the safety and security of all New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "The entire state, from the Great Lakes to the most remote areas of the Adirondacks to New York City, must have seamless communication for our public safety community so that they can get more information quickly, make better informed decisions, and save lives."
• North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum approved the state’s participation in FirstNet to establish a wireless communications network that will help first responders better serve and protect the public in times of need.  “First responders need access to the latest communications technologies to do their jobs most effectively, and events like the Dakota Access Pipeline protests demonstrated the important need for a common system to enable communication between and among first responders,” Burgum said.  Earlier this year, the Governor signed legislation authorizing the creation of a statewide interoperable radio network (SIRN) to improve communications capabilities for law enforcement, ambulance services, and other first responders in North Dakota.
• Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced that (after reviewing the FirstNet plan and the proposals submitted in the bi-state RFP process) their states have chosen to opt in to the FirstNet plan. 

"Whether we’re responding to wildfires in eastern Washington or floods in western Washington, our first responders must have a reliable communications network and this process was about ensuring we get them the best service possible,” Inslee stated.  “Washington’s Interoperability Executive Council and representatives on the RFP team provided critical feedback to us during this process.  I am grateful for their work, and look forward to continuing ahead with AT&T to ensure our first responders have the best tools available to them in times of crisis." 

"Our states' first responders deserve the best resources we can get for them, and by first working to identify our needs and review all of our options during a competitive process, we were able to confidently conclude FirstNet is the best choice for this service," Brown said. "The work of the State Interoperability Executive Council, our bi-state RFP teams, and our financial and legal review teams have been invaluable to lead us to this conclusion.”

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The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Briefing.