(SALT LAKE CITY, Utah) – The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) is moving forward on its plans to expand FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, and enhance coverage where first responders need it, including in tribal, territorial, and rural areas.
Meeting today in Salt Lake City, the FirstNet Authority Board approved plans to invest in coverage enhancements for the network. The Board’s action advances a ten-year initiative in which the FirstNet Authority will make ongoing investments of approximately $2 billion to expand FirstNet and improve coverage for public safety users.
“This Board is investing in public safety’s top priority — coverage — as part of the continued growth and evolution of their network,” said Chief Richard Carrizzo, FirstNet Authority Board Chair. “The FirstNet Authority will focus on enhancing coverage where public safety needs it, especially in rural and remote areas, in the U.S. territories, and on tribal lands.”
During today’s quarterly meeting, FirstNet Authority Board members unanimously approved Resolution 119, “Network Coverage Enhancement.” The resolution directs FirstNet Authority management to take all actions necessary to reinvest funds into the network to expand and enhance coverage for FirstNet subscribers.
The Board’s decision marks the FirstNet Authority’s second major strategic investment this year and builds on the Board’s approval of a network evolution investment in January. Together, the investments will total more than $8 billion over the next ten years to accelerate FirstNet’s evolution to a full 5G network, expand the network, and increase coverage.
“Our mission is to deliver a reliable broadband network that is available where public safety operates, and that is exactly what we are doing with this coverage enhancement initiative,” said Joe Wassel, FirstNet Authority Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. “As we move to enhance coverage on FirstNet, the FirstNet Authority will continue to work with public safety to ensure that our network investments achieve the maximum benefit for them.”
The FirstNet Authority’s investments are implemented through a sustainable business model that enables the organization to continually improve and advance the network. Today’s action follows previous investments by the FirstNet Authority to increase network coverage by improving in-building coverage, adding deployable capacity, and launching additional cell sites. The FirstNet Authority has budgeted $534 million for network investments for the upcoming fiscal year 2025.
