AWS-3 auction bidding bodes well for FirstNet’s short-term funding, long-term sustainability opportunities

In addition, it should be noted that FirstNet’s 700 MHz spectrum is considered much better spectrum than the 1.9 GHz and 2.1 GHz spectrum in the AWS-3 auction, because 700 MHz spectrum has more favorable propagation characteristics. To take Kennedy’s real-estate analogy a step further, if the AWS-3 spectrum represents a nice residential subdivision, the FirstNet spectrum is beachfront property.

This reality should give FirstNet opportunities to develop a workable partnership model that will enable it to sustain the much-anticipated broadband network for first responders while making subscriber fees affordable to public-safety entities.

But there is a chance that the success of the AWS-3 auction could become a double-edged sword for FirstNet, if the organization does not meet its public timelines or show tangible progress in the buildout of its network.

FirstNet is not a project that should be rushed, but extended delays without system deployments should be considered risky, because they might provide politicians on Capitol Hill with the temptation to revisit the 2012 spectrum-allocation decision under the thought process of, “If the AWS-3 spectrum auction is this successful, imagine what we could get if we auctioned 700 MHz spectrum, which is better than the AWS-3 spectrum?”

Kennedy said he believe FirstNet is progressing well.

“Most importantly, I would say that we’re doing what we said we were going to do,” Kennedy said during his keynote speech. “We laid out this roadmap, we’re moving out on consultations, we’re moving forward on the RFP process, and I think that’s really, really important.”

Indeed, continuing to make progress on FirstNet’s roadmap is crucial. Not only is it important to ensure that public safety gets its much-needed broadband capabilities as quickly as possible, but it should prevent impatient members of Congress from trying to reallocate the 700 MHz broadband spectrum, which would be a huge mistake on many levels.