FirstNet Means Finding Public Safety “Killer Apps”

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PrintThose who own and supply towers are eager to see how the national First Responder Network will affect their real estate assets. FirstNet President T.J. Kennedy told a CES audience the network is reviewing bids and should award a contract later this year.

Attendees wanted to learn how broadband can be the backbone to improved public safety. Regarding what kind of broadband technology Las Vegas police personnel used to keep residents safe on New Year’s Eve, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Sheriff Tom Roberts said: “We were using applications we never would have thought of before” and added his department “needs a network that won’t kick you off,” according to Government Technology.

Referring to networks like FirstNet, he discussed what having the same tool in every public safety official’s hand would accomplish. “It eliminates confusion,” a necessity in public safety, he noted.

FirstNet Senior Advisor Bill Schrier was CIO of the Seattle Police Department until August, and the city of Seattle’s chief technology officer prior to that, according to the account. He said the authority will work with a yet-to-be-announced private partner to implement its network in 55 states and territories.

“For FirstNet, my job … is finding killer apps, finding applications and functions that are not available today, but will make a material difference in the way we keep the public safe.”

Inside Towers reported that at the Citi 2017 Internet, Media and Telecommunications Conference, American Tower Corporation President/CEO Jim Taiclet, discussed how the award of the FirstNet deal might impact towercos. “Overall, I think equipment will be deployed in a way it’s never been before.”

January 9, 2016

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