FirstNet extends spectrum-leases negotiations with Texas for Harris County deployment

The STA granted in February marked the fourth time that Harris County had gone to the FCC to maintain its right to use the 700 MHz spectral foundation to its LTE network on a temporary basis. Harris County officials have expressed a desire to reach a spectrum-lease agreement with FirstNet, so the spectrum-usage rights can become permanent and long-term plans for the system can be executed.

Last year, FirstNet halted spectrum-lease negotiations with several jurisdictions that were pursuing public-safety LTE projects that were being funded with Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grants. However, the Harris County network was not funded with BTOP grants, and the network already was operational when the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) froze public-safety LTE projects in 2012.

FirstNet board members unanimously passed a resolution that allows FirstNet to continue negotiating with the state of Texas through July 23, almost a full month before the latest STA is scheduled to expire. A copy of the resolution extending the negotiation is available on the new FirstNet website, which was launched on Monday.