Davis testimony, Eshoo says $5,000 radios are ‘yesterday’
Ohio CIO Stu Davis also testified before the subcommittee. In November 2013, Davis testified before the subcommittee and expressed concerns about FirstNet, but his tone was notably different yesterday.
“FirstNet has made significant progress in further defining and communicating the mitigation of these concerns [aired in November 2013],” Davis said. “Regarding the state’s relationship with FirstNet, it’s important that FirstNet views this as a partnership. FirstNet has come a long way in this regard
“Over the past year and a half, many states have had the opportunity to meet with representatives of FirstNet to discuss issues and concerns. FirstNet’s message has been clear. They are listening and reacting to our concerns. Ohio’s FirstNet consultation was held last week and, by all accounts, was a positive interaction.”
Davis noted that Ohio is working cooperatively with other states in FEMA Region V—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin—about FirstNet, and the primary issues discussed have been local control, leveraging existing systems, business models and the integration of FirstNet with next-generation 911.
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), a member of the 911 Caucus, also noted the importance of FirstNet integrating its broadband system with IP-based next-generation 911 technology being installed in public-safety answering points (PSAPs) thoughout the country. In addition, FirstNet should work with wireless carriers of all sizes, particularly regional and rural providers, she said.
But Eshoo was most outspoken about the need for FirstNet to foster device competition, which she said is “critical” to FirstNet’s success.
“$5,000 public-safety radios are out: O-U-T,” Eshoo said, spelling out the word to emphasize her point. “I don’t want to hear about them anymore. As far as I’m concerned, they don’t exist, and I don’t think any of the dollars that are being provided should go to anything like that. That is yesterday.
“What’s in? Highly innovative, broadband-enabled devices that can transmit live video from a robot sent—for example—to assess a suspicious package, view floor plans of a burning building, access medical history of a patient in distress, as well as the wide range of other mobile applications. In other words, you have to be just as 21st Century as the rest of this ecosystem is in our country.”
