Legislation that set up FirstNet, the nationwide broadband network for first responders, ends the network’s authority in 2027. The Government Accountability Office recommends Congress reauthorize FirstNet well before then to ensure network continuity.
In a new report, GAO identified four key statutory requirements and contract responsibilities currently performed by FirstNet that Congress should address before FirstNet would sunset in 2027. For example, FirstNet oversees the network contract awarded to AT&T in 2017. “The current statute does not identify another federal entity to assume oversight when FirstNet sunsets. Without any legislative action, network operations and improvements would be at risk and could result in the loss of service for public-safety users,” notes the GAO.
Another example is FirstNet’s responsibility to collect fees and to reinvest these funds to enhance the network. FirstNet expects to collect and reinvest $18 billion in fees from AT&T over the 25-year duration of the contract with the carrier. However, the statute does not identify an organization to assume responsibility for fee collection and reinvestment if FirstNet’s authority is terminated. “Congressional action on key statutory requirements and contract responsibilities is essential for network continuity and enhancement,” states the GAO.
The GAO says its 2020 report on FirstNet’s deployment of the network reinforces the importance of addressing contract oversight. In that report, GAO determined that FirstNet used various mechanisms to oversee AT&T, many of which aligned with key contract-oversight practices. However, the report also pointed out that FirstNet lacked: (1) a reliable master schedule to review, (2) communication with relevant stakeholders regarding contract oversight, and (3) meaningful information on end users’ satisfaction to gauge performance quality.
GAO made four recommendations to remedy these weaknesses; FirstNet concurred with the recommendations and to date has implemented two of them, Inside Towers reported. Implementing the remaining two on a reliable schedule and communication with stakeholders would further strengthen oversight.
Two options to address FirstNet’s termination of authority in 2027 include reauthorizing FirstNet or transferring FirstNet’s responsibilities to one or multiple federal agencies. If the Congress were to decide to reauthorize, then it would also have options in where to put FirstNet: (1) keep it within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, (2) place it within another federal agency, or (3) establish it as a separate federal organizational entity, the GAO explains.
Each of the overall options has different operational implications and potential costs. For example, some public-safety stakeholders told GAO that reauthorizing FirstNet would prevent network disruption; FirstNet officials agreed and further added that this option would not introduce new costs. Further, such a reauthorization would enable retention of existing network expertise and experience in engaging with the public-safety community.
By contrast, the option to transfer responsibilities to one or more other agencies may lead to additional contract costs and introduce new risks. For example, stakeholders noted that transitioning oversight to another agency or agencies could be problematic for contract oversight, requiring more coordination and potentially leading to inefficiencies.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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