FirstNet approves first spectrum lease

Kelly Hill

11 years ago

FirstNet yesterday approved a spectrum lease with the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS), the first of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grantees to reach agreement with the board on the use of its 700 MHz spectrum for pilot projects that FirstNet plans to use as learning tools in developing its nationwide network for first responders.

LA-RICS’ proposed project is to include almost 300 wireless sites using new and existing infrastructure, fixed microwave backhaul rings and 100 miles of high-capacity fiber backbone. LA-RICS was awarded a $154.6 million BTOP grant for that project, which was suspended once FirstNet was formed so that the board could start its network with a blank slate and that funds would not be spent on projects that could not be integrated into the national project. Negotiations with six other BTOP grantees, as well as a project in Harris County, Tex. that is not BTOP-funded, are on-going. The board recently voted to extend the period of negotiations with BTOP grantees through July 12.

“The lease negotiations are complicated, because from FirstNet’s perspective, we want to make sure that we retain control of the spectrum, and we retain the ability to emigrate these BTOP operations into the national footprint when it is established,” said Sam Ginn, chair of the FirstNet board. “And I think the states and cities, they want to basically protect their rights to opt out, they want operational flexibility and they are worried about future costs based on FirstNet’s requirements as we evolve into a national system.”

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According to board member Sue Swenson, who headed negotiations on the lease, key points include:

a spectrum lease term of five years, or until the state of California makes its decision on whether to opt in to the Firstnet network; the board is obligated to notify LA-RICS three months in advance of presenting plans to the governor that trigger the opt-in or -out decision.
the lease is non-exclusive, so FirstNet can enter into other development agreements with the spectrum so long as LA-RICS’ service is not disrupted and the state is not encumbered by those agreements.
LA-RICS will not be charged for the use of the spectrum during the term of the lease, in exchange for working with FirstNet on “key learnings” for planning its national network; but it is not excluded from future fees for receiving service on FirstNet’s network.
FirstNet cannot guarantee that BTOP funding will be re-instated (the BTOP program is funded by NTIA, a separate entity), but it will lend its support to LA-RICS’ request for reinstatement.

Swenson said that unique lessons will come from each of the BTOP grantees, and that in the case of Los Angeles, the plan is to focus on which agencies can or should make use of the network based on incident types.

“‘Public safety entities’ is a very broad term,” Swenson noted, adding that FirstNet wants to work with LA on what organizations are considered “public safety”, who will utilize the network and how expansively the term should be applied.

The board also approved a resolution on short-term technical staffing needs that will allow it to establish follow-on contracts to work and research currently being done. The competitive contract opportunities are expected to be announced within the “next few to several weeks,” according to the board’s acting CFO, Randy Lyon.

FirstNet also plans to issue 17 requests for information (RFIs) within the next few weeks. According to the board, the RFIs will ask for :detailed information regarding potential deployment options” for the LTE network’s Radio Access Network and core network. Board member Craig Farrill said that the RFIs will include switching, data centers, microwave systems, network service platforms, satellite services and antennas, among others. The RFIs will be posted on www.fedbizopps.gov.

“The upcoming RFIs are an important step in the FirstNet information gathering process, which will enable us to continue toward our mission of delivering a nationwide network dedicated to public safety,” said Bill D’Agostino, FirstNet’s general manager in a statement. “I encourage all those interested in responding to be creative and detailed in their comments. As I have said in the past, achieving our mission will require an unprecedented amount of public and private partnership, and these RFIs will help lay the foundation for that to happen.”