In the Matter of
Procedures for Commission Review of State Opt-Out Requests from the FirstNet Radio Access Network
PS Docket No. 16-269
ORDER
Adopted: March 6, 2019
Released: March 6 2019
By the Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau:
I. INTRODUCTION
1. In this Order, we delete certain of the Commission’s rules related to the opt-out provisions of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Public Safety Spectrum Act or Act) that have been rendered moot by the passage of time. Specifically, we delete those rules adopted to implement the “opt-out” provisions of the Act, in light of the fact that no state or territory chose to exercise this option within the statutory timeframe.
II. BACKGROUND
2. The Public Safety Spectrum Act established the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to oversee the construction and operation of a nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) in the 700 MHz band. The Act established FirstNet as an independent authority within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and required the Commission to grant a license to FirstNet for the 758-769/788-799 MHz band. Pursuant to Section 6202(b) of the Act, the NPSBN must be based on a “single national network architecture that evolves with technological advancements” that consists of a core network and a radio access network (RAN). FirstNet is tasked with developing a plan to deploy the RAN within each state. The Act also gives each state the option to “opt out” of FirstNet’s RAN deployment within that state and conduct its own RAN deployment.