At its quarterly meeting last week, the board unanimously approved Resolution 119, “Network Coverage Enhancement,” which directs FirstNet Authority management to reinvest funds into expanding network coverage for FirstNet subscribers through the 10-year initiative announced in February.
That initiative builds on the network evolution investment the board approved in January. The two will total more than $8 billion over the next 10 years, helping FirstNet build up to a 5G network, while expanding and increasing coverage.
“This board is investing in public safety’s top priority — coverage — as part of the continued growth and evolution of their network,” Richard Carrizzo, chief and FirstNet Authority Board chair said in a statement. “The FirstNet Authority will focus on enhancing coverage where public safety needs it, especially in rural and remote areas, in the U.S. territories, and on tribal lands.”
The FirstNet Authority aims to make investments that improve and advance the network. “Our mission is to deliver a reliable broadband network that is available where public safety operates, and that is exactly what we are doing with this coverage enhancement initiative,” Joe Wassel, FirstNet Authority executive director and chief executive officer, said in a statement.
“As we move to enhance coverage on FirstNet, the FirstNet Authority will continue to work with public safety to ensure that our network investments achieve the maximum benefit for them,” Wassel said.
