Determining responsibility for indoor wireless coverage a big challenge for public safety, panelists say

As with most things, cost is an issue.

“We do need an emergency-communications system, and it needs to be part of the building infrastructure,” said Phil Klingensmith, a consultant who was formerly with both AT&T and Lucent. “Everyone agrees we need it, but who’s going to pay for it?”

Perdue agreed.

"People will upgrade to granite countertops, but they won’t upgrade to life savings,” Perdue said. “Who's responsible for public safety? The answer is in the question—the public.”

But no matter who ultimately pays, the issues remain the same.

"The scope of the in-building problem is what we are dealing with," Klingensmith said, noting that that we “really need is someone who can implement the code standard in best industry practice.”

The primary concern is "reliability—determining to what degree is that building going to have reliable wireless—[and] FirstNet is going to play a critical part in establishing that reliability."

However, it may be some time before it is determined how the issue will be resolved, given that FirstNet has not yet designed its network.