Mary-Louise Hoffman
The First Responder Network Authority has started to develop an interoperability compliance matrix for states and territories that want to opt out of the national public safety broadband network to build their own compatible systems.
Richard Reed, FirstNet’s chief customer officer, wrote in a blog entry posted July 8 the matrix will outline network policies and technical standards for interconnectivity between a state or territory radio access network and the NPSBN infrastructure.
The organization also coordinates with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to assist states and territories in efforts to create and submit RAN development plans to governors by 2017, according to Reed.
“The goal is to ensure they have the necessary information to fulfill their respective statutory roles to evaluate alternative State/Territory RAN plans against required criteria when a State/Territory seeks to assume responsibility for the building, deployment and operation of the State/Territory RAN,” he added.
He noted the organization has participated in 27 state and territory governance body meetings this year as part of its outreach and consultation efforts.
FirstNet issued the request for proposals on the NPSBN construction project Jan. 13 and closed the process for the submission of final bids May 31.
The organization aims to award a contract in November.
