T-Mobile: AT&T’s FirstNet ‘has not fulfilled all of its promises’

T-Mobile is looking to land some punches on AT&T’s burgeoning public-safety business by calling in the ref.

The company told the FCC that it should require FirstNet to disclose details about its ongoing relationship with AT&T. T-Mobile also told the commission that it should make clear that “FirstNet must provide interoperability that ensures all public safety users are able to communicate with one another during times of emergency.”

At issue is a renewal of the authorization for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to operate a nationwide network for public-safety users like police and firefighters. FirstNet is an independent agency within the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The agency traces its origins to Congressional responses to the communications trouble first responders encountered during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City.

In 2017, AT&T won the contract to build out FirstNet’s 20MHz of spectrum in the 700MHz band (Band 14). To do that, AT&T is installing FirstNet 700MHz transmitters on its towers and on the towers of some supporting partner carriers.

Both FirstNet’s customers and AT&T’s commercial customers have access to FirstNet’s spectrum as well as AT&T’s other spectrum bands. However, FirstNet’s customers receive priority access – meaning, they get first dibs on any available network capacity in an emergency. As AT&T passes FirstNet’s buildout goals, the carrier receives portions of Congress’ $6.5 billion FirstNet allotment.

“While Congress’ intent was laudable, FirstNet has not fulfilled all of its promises to the public safety community and the American public as required,” T-Mobile argued.

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