[1st-mile-nm] FirstNet News: NM Status

[Richard Lowenberg]

Here are links to a couple of articles reporting on the current
status of FirstNet, a next-gen nationwide first responders network.
New Mexico is cited, and so I thought it appropriate to note,
and to request further state information on this (from NM DoIT).
RL

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http://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/story/firstnet-releases-rfi-apps-kills-btop-negotiations/2013-12-01#ixzz2mLh0UKPT

The First Responder Network Authority moved further along with planning 
for the LTE-based nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) by 
issuing a request for information (RFI) on application platforms. 
However, FirstNet also put an end to negotiations with several 
public-safety entities hoping to lease its spectrum for public-safety 
networks within their jurisdictions.

(snip)

Seven original BTOP entities had their funding for LTE public-safety 
networks halted last year by the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration, which oversees FirstNet. NTIA was concerned 
their projects might be incompatible with FirstNet's mission. Of the 
seven, only  the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications 
System (LA-RICS) and the state of New Mexico have since signed 
agreements allowing them to lease the 20 MHz of 700 MHz Band 14 
broadband spectrum allocated to FirstNet for their projects.

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http://advancingtelecom.blogspot.com/2013/11/firstnet-funding-issues-who-would-have.html

(snip)

New Mexico is using its portion of the BTOP funding, which has nothing 
to do with the $7 Billion, and is only deploying LTE of 6-10 towers 
along the border, essentially a pilot. Their initial program doesn’t 
even come close to addressing the $200 Million required to build just 
the estimated 639 towers, for just the RAN portion of the deployment, of 
which will be required to cover the State, let alone the long-term 
operations and maintenance. New Mexico still has to ask itself, "Where 
it will get that money when it wants to deploy statewide?" This will put 
New Mexico into the same conundrum as the rest of the States – like 
Ohio. When all said-and-done, New Mexico will be looking at a 500-700 
Million dollar, all-inclusive, network....



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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Dir.
1st-Mile Institute, 505-603-5200
P.O.Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504
www.1st-mile.org  rl at 1st-mile.org
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