Electric co-ops have stepped up in support of FirstNet, filing...
Electric co-ops have stepped up in support of FirstNet, filing comments (http://xrl.us/bndsh7) with NTIA to say they're ready to help coordinate with public safety organizations. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, National Telecommunications Cooperative Association and the National Rural Telecommunications…
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Cooperative filed comments jointly on June 15, and NRECA spotlighted its readiness to help in a Tuesday blog post on its website (http://xrl.us/bndshn). “As owners and operators of facilities, networks and infrastructure, we stand ready to assist,” the filing said. “We believe this scope and capability could be very helpful to NTIA and FirstNet in carrying out its mission.” Electric co-ops can play an important role in maintaining the necessary facilities of FirstNet: “As owners and operators of approximately 35,000,000 distribution and transmission poles and facilities, we can also assist in maintenance requirements and schedules for these facilities,” the organizations said. They suggest states look to utilities and electric co-ops as they develop FirstNet and recommend a workshop at which states, telcos and electric co-ops come together to share perspectives, lessons learned and coordinate on strategies. The rural advocates recommended NTIA look to regions’ public safety infrastructure, frequency of natural disasters and existing partnerships when “prioritizing grants to ensure coverage in rural areas."