Want to keep track of FirstNet’s progress? Here are some key dates, milestones to remember

March 2018: LTE Release 13 equipment that supports key public-safety features like mission-critical PTT is expected to be available in the marketplace by this time, according to most industry analysts.

November 2018: Perhaps the most notable stage in the FirstNet deployment process, as 60% of planned Band 14 coverage—and 50% of the final device-connections target—is scheduled for completion in both rural and non-rural markets. Meanwhile, the first phase of LTE Release 13 mission-critical systems will be operational, and dynamic QPP is supposed to be implemented throughout the system.

November 2019: FirstNet rollout continues, with 80% of the final Band 14 coverage goals—in rural and non-rural markets—scheduled for completion.

March 2019: LTE Release 14 equipment should be commercially available, according to most industry sources.

November 2020: LTE Release 14 gear should be integrated into the FirstNet system, which is scheduled to reach 95% of its planned coverage in both rural and non-rural markets, but 100% of the public-safety device-connection targets are supposed to be met.

November 2021: FirstNet contractor is scheduled to meet 100% of its coverage goals in both rural and non-rural markets, a stage that is known as Final Operational Capability (FOC). After this, the contractor will pay financial penalties if public-safety adoption does not meet its goals established when the award was made. All security, hardening and integration of other public-safety communications systems (for example, 911 centers) will be completed after going through several phases during the previous years.

November 2041: Initial FirstNet contract expires.

Skeptics will argue that technology projects often do not meet their scheduled timelines, pointing to examples such as 800 MHz rebanding, a supposed three-year project that has not been completed more than a decade after it was started.

However, since establishing its roadmap almost two years ago, FirstNet essentially has met each key milestone within the promised schedule. Meanwhile, the commercial LTE industry—FirstNet’s expected partner in this massive endeavor—actually has moved even faster than projected on many fronts, including Verizon and AT&T deploying nationwide LTE networks six months ahead of schedule.

With this in mind, state officials should monitor FirstNet’s progress closely and working to prepare their governors to make the decision whether to pursue the opt-out alternative by the middle of next year. Meanwhile, representatives for local public-safety agencies also need to follow FirstNet’s deployment plans closely, because FirstNet could represent a service option that could revamp their operations and budget planning for years to come.