Pallone asks whether FirstNet should be split from NTIA
Perhaps the most intriguing line of questioning came from Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), who asked whether FirstNet could operate more effectively as an entity that is not within the structure of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
“FirstNet was created to be part of NTIA, which is part of the Department of Commerce,” Pallone said. “It seems to me that you might be able to deploy the network faster, if FirstNet was spun out of the agency. So, do you think that FirstNet has reached the point where it can stand on its own as an independent corporation? And, if we’re not there yet, what needs to happen first?”
Kennedy did not address the spin-off notion in his response, but he did note that FirstNet increasingly is able to function as an independent entity.
“I think FirstNet has grown a lot from the early days,” Kennedy said. “I believe that, when we started, we relied very heavily on NTIA and the Department of Commerce for a lot of key functions. As we’ve been able to build up our staff, we’ve been able to take on some of those key corporate and governance functions of the organization. We’ve moved things like finance entirely within the organization, and now we’re looking at key elements like human resources and procurement and how that can be taken on by FirstNet in the future.
“I do believe that we’re maturing, and I do think that that kind of responsibility and accountability for FirstNet is something that we’re growing into very much so.”