Comments for initial FirstNet proceeding due on Friday
Those wanting to provide input on the design of a nationwide LTE network for public safety can submit comments to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) through Friday — a deadline extension granted as an acknowledgement of the difficulties created by Superstorm Sandy.
During its first meeting on Sept. 25, the 15-member FirstNet board heard a conceptual presentation on network architecture from board member Craig Farrill, as well as a proposal from FirstNet Chairman Sam Ginn regarding an open-architecture platform for application development. An archived webcast of the meeting can be viewed on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration website.
A week after the meeting, the FirstNet board issued a notice of inquiry (NOI) to solicit input from interested parties on the merits of the presentations.
Originally, comments in the proceeding were supposed to be due on Nov. 1, but that deadline was extended to Friday after Superstorm Sandy devastated portions of the East Coast.
“In recognition of the need for states and first responders impacted by Hurricane Sandy to focus their attention and resources on helping citizens recover from the devastating effects of that storm, NTIA will accept comments filed in response to its notice of inquiry (NOI) related to the FirstNet conceptual presentations until Friday, Nov. 9, 2012,” spokeswoman Heather Phillips said during an interview with Urgent Communications.
Phillips also confirmed that there will not be a reply-comment period for the FirstNet proceeding. Comments that have been filed in the proceeding can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/btaocg7.