FirstNet Band 14 License Renewal Likely a 'No Brainer' for FCC

The FirstNet Authority appears likely to win easy approval of a renewal of its band 14 license, now before the FCC, industry experts said Friday. The National Sheriffs Association and the Major Cities Chiefs Association (see 2209070059) and 2208250056) have raised questions, but the general run of letters has praised the network. The license expires Nov. 15.

“It’s a no brainer to renew FirstNet’s band 14 license,” said Recon Analytics’ Roger Entner. “What’s the alternative?” he asked: “Leave more than 3 million first responders high and dry without the dedicated first responder network they signed up for and is authorized by an act of Congress? If they don’t approve it then there will a very interesting oversight hearing down the line.” The FCC will likely work through all the filings, address them in an order, and act well before the Nov. 15 expiration, said a lawyer with wireless carrier clients.

FirstNet got its latest endorsements in filings posted Friday in docket 12-94. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks “it became clear that first responders needed enhanced communications abilities to ensure that emergency response could be conducted as safely and efficiently as possible,” said a filing by firefighter groups. “Throughout the development of its network, FirstNet has maintained consistent contact with fire and emergency service stakeholders across the country.”

“FirstNet has adapted not only to an ever changing technological environment as communications devices get more advanced, but they have also responded to stakeholder needs for various new services and applications as fire departments respond to an ever-increasing range of emergencies,” the filing said: The network “has vastly improved public safety communications at numerous major disasters where communications networks would have historically been overwhelmed, including the Surfside building collapse, large public events, wildland fires and hurricanes.” The Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Fire Protection Association and the National Volunteer Fire Council signed the filing.

IAFC also made a separate filing. The group’s “members and other first responders use FirstNet’s network to enhance situational awareness; ensure coordinated response across multiple jurisdictions; securely share and exchange mission critical information: and power apps and devices that deliver actionable data,” IAFC said.

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians endorsed renewal in a filing posted last week in the FCC’s universal licensing system. “Renewal of the Band 14 license is necessary for the continued operation of the FirstNet network, which provides critical wireless communications services, features, and tools to public safety responders across the country to assist with their life-saving missions,” the group said.

“It certainly seems like most people are satisfied enough with FirstNet that renewing band 14 won't be too controversial,” said Joe Kane, ITIF director-broadband and spectrum policy. “The record shows a few quibbles about transparency, but those seem unlikely to be a barrier to renewal even if the commission decides to take them up,” he said: “It's also a good sign for the commission to recognize the success of FirstNet as an example of running critical public safety functions on commercially operated spectrum, which could be a good model for rationalizing federal and commercial spectrum uses in the future.”

"The renewal of the license will likely proceed smoothly at this point, as the record mainly supports granting the renewal,” predicted American Action Forum Technology and Innovation Policy Director Jeffrey Westling. “Even the sparse critiques I have seen focus on broader issues with FirstNet's implementation rather than an issue with renewal of the license in isolation,” he said: “It shouldn't take the commission too long to wade through the arguments and make a decision."

The Spectrum Act, which launched FirstNet, provided licensing for an initial 10-year term. The act says “prior to expiration of the term of the initial license … or the expiration of any subsequent renewal of such license, the First Responder Network Authority shall submit to the Commission an application for the renewal of such license.” In the application, the authority must “demonstrate that, during the preceding license term, the First Responder Network Authority has met the duties and obligations set forth under this chapter.” The act limits renewal to a term “not to exceed 10 years.”