For the latest information about FirstNet, join us for today’s ‘State of the States’ webinar
FirstNet appears to be on the verge of making a transition from simply being in information-gathering mode to making key decisions that are expected to prepare the organization for a procurement process designed to result in the deployment of a nationwide broadband network for public safety.
Last month, the revamped FirstNet board released a comprehensive request for information (RFI)—including a statement of objectives—and some preliminary legal interpretations for public comment, so FirstNet officials can get input on key technical and policy issues that will be part of the draft request for proposal (RFP) slated to be released in March.
In addition to these public-notice proceedings, FirstNet is getting input from state partners via the state-consultation process. Initial state-consultation meetings have been completed with the states of Maryland and Minnesota. Meanwhile, the states of Oregon and Washington are next on the state-consultation schedule, which is expected to get much busier through the end of the calendar year.
What has been learned in the early state-consultation meetings? How should states and territories prepare for them? What, if any, input are states planning to make in the aforementioned RFI and legal-interpretations proceedings? What kind of outreach are states making to local public-safety entities—the primary users of the much-anticipated network—and what messages are being conveyed? And what are the timelines associated with FirstNet?
Insights on these and other questions will be provided today during the latest in our “State of the States” webinar series, which will be conducted today at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Once again, Robert LeGrande—founder of The Digital Decision consulting firm and former CTO for Washington, D.C.—will moderate the session, which features an outstanding panel of speakers with firsthand knowledge of the issues facing FirstNet:
- Amanda Hilliard, FirstNet’s director of outreach;
- Lori Stone, state of Maryland;
- Darryl Anderson, state of Ohio;
- Steve Noel, state of Oregon; and
- Bill Schrier, state of Washington.
FirstNet is a massive project, both in its size and its importance to public safety. Get the latest information from people who are on the “front lines” of the effort to make this much-anticipated network a reality. Thanks to sponsorship from General Dynamics C4 Systems, registration for the event is free, so please join us today for lively conversation on this important subject.