Today:  Arizona Opts-In to FirstNet, APCO NG-911 Report, Verizon to Build Dedicated Network Core for Public Safety 

Arizona Opts-In to FirstNet

Arizona is opting in to the FirstNet network program.  "The State of Arizona is ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with AT&T and FirstNet to finally deploy a true interoperable nationwide communications system for public safety. We have much work ahead of us, but with AT&T's open communication and commitment to excellence, the future for all first responders will be safer as will the lives of our citizens,” said Col. Frank Milstead, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

APCO NG-911 Report

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International released a Report recommending various activities that states, Congress, and others could take to facilitate the development of next-generation 911 networks (NG-911).  The report presents findings and recommendations concerning the implications of broadband technology on operations, governance, cybersecurity, technology, training, and the workforce.  Among other things, it recommends that NG-911 be defined in a way that ensures it is deployed in a comprehensive and uniform fashion nationwide, as follows: “a secure, nationwide, interoperable, standards-based, all-IP emergency communications infrastructure enabling end-to-end transmission of all types of data, including voice and multimedia communications from the public to an Emergency Communications Center.”  It also finds that a significant federal grant program is needed to: provide the capital to upgrade legacy networks and equipment to IP-based, broadband-enabled, NG 911 systems, provide incentives to achieve interoperability, economies of scale, and sustainable funding mechanisms and eliminate, once and for all, the practice of some states to divert fees collected for 911 to other purposes.

Verizon To Build Dedicated Network Core for Public Safety

Verizon issued a news release, stating that in response to request from public safety agencies it will build and operate its own private network core dedicated to public safety communications.  The network core manages and directs all communications functions, like network access and call routing.  The dedicated public safety core will operate separately from the Verizon commercial core and provide first responders with access to the company's 2.4 million square mile 4G LTE network.  Verizon said it will make priority access and preemption services to public safety when necessary and at no charge. 

Verizon's public safety network solution does not require that states opt-out of FirstNet, does not require access to any federal funding provided to FirstNet, and does not require any financial commitment from states to support network deployment.  The creation of this dedicated public safety network core will be fully funded by Verizon.  Verizon said it will also make available multi-band devices that will provide access to Band 14 spectrum and enable full interoperability with any Band 14 radio access networks (RANs) deployed by FirstNet.

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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.