Public-safety representatives contest recent Verizon claims about its first-responder offerings
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Public-safety representatives contest recent Verizon claims about its first-responder offerings
Verizon has vowed that it will build its dedicated public-safety core network during the first quarter—AT&T has said the FirstNet core will be operational in March—and that it would match AT&T’s offering of preemptive access to public safety across its commercial network.
While FirstNet has a public-private partnership agreement with AT&T that include contractual language obligating AT&T to deploy the FirstNet system and meet certain criteria, Sorley said he believes that FirstNet’s oversight of AT&T should be especially attractive to public-safety agencies.
“More importantly, [FirstNet has] something that no one else has, and that’s a technical staff with expertise and access to ensure that that vendor does perform to those requirements,” Sorley said. “To me, the [idea that] ‘The check’s in the mail; we did it,’ is kind of too little, too late. I want somebody who can verify that you’re doing what you’re going to do. I think that was the general consensus of the PSAC.”
McGinnis agreed.
“Verizon does not have the public-private partnership to provide that oversight that FirstNet was built in with,” McGinnis said. “Its responsibility is to its shareholders.”
McGinnis also noted that Verizon repeatedly declined invitations to participate in the development of the nationwide public-safety broadband network.
“Frankly, they’ve had the opportunity to be part of our FirstNet dream—from the early D Block days through the RFP process—and chose not to commit to that public-safety dream,” McGinnis said. “Therefore, their priority and preemption—as far as I’m concerned—is too little, too late.”
In response to the positions expressed by McGinnis and Sorley, Verizon today issued the following statement:
“Mr. McGinnis and Mr. Sorley are entitled to their opinions,” according to the Verizon statement. “Ultimately, public-safety agencies will decide the provider they want to work with. Many of them have already chosen Verizon and we plan to continue to serve these customers in 2018 and into the future.”
In the more straightforward portions of their presentations during the NPSTC meeting, McGinnis said that FirstNet plans to issue task orders to AT&T for the buildout of the FirstNet system “in the coming weeks.” Sorley said that the PSAC plans to concentrate on working with AT&T to enable “bring your own device” (BYOD) usage of the FirstNet system—an important aspect for public-safety agencies that may not purchase subscription for its personnel.
Verizon is only carrier that
Verizon is only carrier that has a truly reliable coverage footprint in most areas of the US, especially in the rural states. AT&T has service in the metro areas and along some major highways that is mediocre to good. When at home in midwest or when in L.A., I am shocked at how poor the service is on my personal AT&T smartphone versus my work Verizon phone. AT&T must plan to use the government money to build out their tower system…
Verizon has superior coverage
Verizon has superior coverage in a lot of areas, and it would better serve public safety for Verizon and AT&T to agree to connect their public safety cores. It would truly foster interoperability and provide competition to ensure public safety is better served. If an agency has better coverage from Verizon and chooses not to use FirstNet, the interoperability problem still exists if the cores are not connected.
The only thing AT&T and
The only thing AT&T and Verizon have in common is they can’t get their stories straight. We have seen diagrams from Verizon showing “core to core” connection with FirstNet. We have been told by national organizations that there can indeed be some form of connectivity between users of of Verizon and AT&T-FN however it will be “best effort” with an internet connection with no guaranteed delivery. This article confirms that in its current state, FirstNet will NEVER reach the right-most column of the SafeCom Interoperability Continuum for data. Currently in my area, AT&T salespeople (many of whom are former Verizon salespeople) promise a lower monthly rate, but cannot give us pricing yet. We have Verizon salespeople visiting us saying they will have a public safety core and many feature like FirstNet – but cannot demonstrate any of it. CAUTION: Sit tight, wait for verifiable information, and hold on to your wallet!
From my observation of all
From my observation of all the cell tower sites I have seen personally in the MId Atlantic area over last 35 years. It is Verizon who has the most generators at their sites and buildings,that house their equipment. As opposed to the outdoor cabinets and Generator roll up plugs. Follow the money and see who is propagating the hype of the utopian Fir$tNet..
AT&T Is getting tons of tax
AT&T Is getting tons of tax payer money to bild a system as good as Verizon…And public safety will get some band with on the system, While AT&T get a much better system and makes much more $$$$$$$….Verizon should get their legal team going on this scam