Latest FirstNet meetings offer encouraging signs

700 MHz narrowband operations were acknowledged—Often forgotten during the debates about the 700 MHz D Block reallocation was the fact that there already are public-safety incumbents operating mission-critical narrowband communications systems on these frequencies. This fact received some attention around the time of the failed 700 MHz auction in 2008, when it was estimated that relocating these networks would cost less than $100 million. Since then, nary a word has been spoken publicly about relocating these systems. However, at the FirstNet meeting two weeks ago, it was revealed that former NTIA official Lance Johnson—now FirstNet’s director of regulatory strategy—is working to devise a plan to clear the FirstNet spectrum for broadband use.

Of course, any enthusiasm for all of these seemingly positive signs is somewhat subdued, because there is still a lot we don’t know. For instance, it’s great that FirstNet has an overall roadmap and that 700 MHz narrowband relocation is being considered, but we don’t have as many details about either one. Having a CIO and CTO in place also should be beneficial, but we’d all like to know the names of the selections.

My guess is that there are reasonable explanations why this information is not public yet, but that does not change the industry’s thirst for such answers. Hopefully, such details can be released soon. Still, even without all the information, the strides taken by FirstNet during its last meeting have to be considered encouraging to an industry that desperately wants more clear direction regarding the public-safety broadband initiative.