PCCA Journal|2
nd
Quarter 2015
33
NTIA Announces Second Phase of FirstNet
Implementation Funding
T
he U.S. Commerce Depart-
ment’s National Telecom-
munications and Information
Administration (NTIA) an-
nounced in April that it will be releasing
the second phase of previously awarded
grant funding for states and territories
to begin collecting data necessary to
plan for the nationwide public safety
broadband network being developed by
the First Responder Network Authority
(FirstNet).
The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012 authorized the
creation of FirstNet, which is develop-
ing a nationwide network to enable first
responders to better communicate and
save lives. The law also directed NTIA to
develop a grant program, the State and
Local Implementation Grant Program
(SLIGP), to assist states and territories
in planning, education, and outreach as
they consult with FirstNet on the deploy-
ment of the broadband network.
In 2013, NTIA awarded grants to 54
states and territories. The first phase
of funding, totaling about $58 million,
has helped states conduct outreach
with public safety and state and local
officials to determine their needs, gaps,
and priorities for public safety wireless
broadband and to prepare for formal
consultations with FirstNet, which is an
independent authority within NTIA.
This second phase of SLIGP funding
($58 million) will allow states to collect
data identifying and prioritizing where
public safety broadband coverage is
needed, identifying potential users and
their capacity needs, and detailing current
providers and procurement mechanisms.
“So far, states and territories are mak-
ing good progress planning for FirstNet,”
said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information and
NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strick-
ling. “This second phase of funding will
help states and territories ensure the
network meets their most pressing needs
for coverage.”
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