RESTON, VA – The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board today approved a $213 million budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21), with a focus on the organization’s operations and its investments into FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network.
“This budget provides steady funding for the FirstNet Authority and continues our momentum for investing back into the FirstNet network,” said FirstNet Authority Board Chair Edward Horowitz. “We will continue to engage with public safety to ensure the network delivers the attributes outlined in the strategic plan and the FirstNet Authority Roadmap and evolves along with technology and operational needs.”
During today’s budget meeting, the FirstNet Authority Board approved Resolution 106, which allocates $83.5 million for the FirstNet Authority’s operating budget in FY21 and provides an additional $83.5 million in reserves for operations.
The budget also includes $46 million for investments in support of FirstNet network enhancements. The Board recently approved the first set of network investments to expand the fleet of FirstNet deployables and for initial generational upgrades to the network core for 5G capabilities.
The FirstNet Authority’s investments are made possible through a sustainable business model that enables the organization to continually improve and advance the network. The investments align with the FirstNet Authority’s Roadmap, which outlines the key priorities and activities for advancing and evolving the network beyond current contractual commitments. In addition, the FirstNet Authority established a set of investment principles to further guide the decision-making process for network investment.
For more information on the Board meeting, visit FirstNet.gov.
About the First Responder Network Authority
The FirstNet Authority is an independent entity within the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Created in 2012, its mission is to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of the nationwide broadband network that equips first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities. Learn more at FirstNet.gov/mediakit and follow the FirstNet Authority (@FirstNetGov) on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
