FirstNet Would Make a Great Partner

At an industry event last week, FirstNet CEO Mike Poth noted that partnering with organization is a great way for wireless carriers to gain valuable spectrum assets with fewer costs and in less time. Poth was named CEO last week, and told industry officials that FirstNet is “a great opportunity” for potential bidders to “not only to be on the cutting edge and make a difference in public-safety communications, but also, the reality is that this is a great business deal.” (IWCE’s Urgent Communications) Poth wanted carriers to know that working with FirstNet will be different than a typical request for proposal bid. They are looking for honest, direct, continued feedback. “That’s the only way it’s going to be successful,” he said (IWCE’s Urgent Communications)
FirstNet has $6.5 billion in federal funding, which was allocated by Congress, and their business model will allow their partners to monetize the valuable 20 MHz of the organization’s 700 MHz spectrum when it’s not in use by first responders.  FirstNet President T.J. Kennedy previously explained, “It’s not a typical federal acquisition. We’re not listing 10,000 specifications and just saying, ‘Bid on it.’ We’re actually asking folks to look at the different value blocks, look at the objectives, and come forward with those innovative ways to do that.” (IWCE’s Urgent Communications)