FirstNet envisions a nationwide public safety network built on same LTE standards used by commercial carriers
As Minnesota officials consider how to proceed with a statewide upgrade to the public safety broadband infrastructure, the state Department of Public Safety has requested information from potential partners and stakeholders.
The First Responder Network Authority, FirstNet, is the federal entity charged with implementing a nationwide, high-speed 4G-LTE network dedicated to supporting police, fire, emergency management and other public safety functions.
Once states, working with federal authorities and local, tribal and other interests, establish a plan to build out the FirstNet radio access network (RAN), state governors decide whether to opt in to the federally-run plan or opt out and pursue a state-driven, federally subsidized public-private partnership for RAN deployment.
Last year Minnesota officials issued a request for information, RFI, seeking to identify potential partners and preliminary requirements. Now, the DPS to know more about the specifics, particularly coverage, quality of service, network reliability, devices, operations, security, business model, partner requirements and assets.
In terms of coverage, the Minnesota DPS wants a clear understanding of available frequency bands, enhancement options like cells on wheels and small cells, and pricing.
Coverage is key to successful public safety network deployments. Last month members of the Public Safety Advisory Committee, a national FirstNet oversight body, discussed how to maintain coverage in disaster scenarios.
PSAC member Capt. Christopher Lombard said that modeling work is being done on how well coverage can be maintained with outages affecting up to 75% of the network, by reducing capacity and speed but prioritizing coverage.
“As long as we have secondary use capacity that can be preempted, we can maintain coverage better than a commercial network or a traditional network,” Lombard said. “Even if the network has very low data rates, at least coverage is king.”
Another aspect of the DPS RFI is quality of service (QoS). Respondents should supply details of schemes for prioritizing public safety users and dynamic user management.
In terms of network reliability and availability, DPS needs to know which Minnesota sites have back-up generator power and redundant backhaul capabilities, among other details.
Telecom infrastructure providers and carriers, along with interested potential private-sector partners, public safety organizations, tribal nations, trade associations and government bodies are all encouraged to respond.
Any parties interested in providing information have until Aug. 3, 3 p.m. Central Standard Time, to file responses to the Request for Information. The RFI document contains detailed submission instructions as well as specifics of the information needed for DPS to proceed.
Questions should be directed to FirstNet Project Manager Rubin Walker (rubin.walker@state.mn.us) by July 15, with responses set to go out on July 20.
For more information on FirstNet, click here.
