Swenson to Remain as FirstNet Chair; Authority Set to Pick Industry Partners
FirstNet will have stability at the top as it nears a key development: selection of a group of companies that will help build the network. The Department of Commerce said Thursday that Sue Swenson, FirstNet chairwoman, was reappointed to the board and will continue as chair. Jeff Johnson also was reappointed and will continue as vice chairman. Meanwhile, FirstNet took care of additional business Thursday, awarding grants to public safety systems that will have to move from the spectrum FirstNet will use to build its network.
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Swenson has received generally high marks for her leadership since she replaced Sam Ginn as FirstNet board chair in May 2014 (see 1405290054). FirstNet is to select a partner later this year from multiple bids from groups of companies interested in helping build a national first responder communications network (see 1608160050).
Swenson is also CEO of Novatel Wireless and Johnson is a retired fire chief and a leading proponent of a first responder network before there was a FirstNet. The department also said Teri Takai, senior adviser at the Center for Digital Government and former chief information officer at DOD, also was reappointed to the board. The terms of all three were to expire Saturday and they were reappointed for additional two-year terms. A fourth board member whose term expires Saturday, Barry Boniface, asked not to be reappointed but agreed to stay on until a successor is named for his board seat, the department said.
“Their experience is essential as FirstNet moves closer toward launching a nationwide broadband network that will provide first responders with the 21st century tools they need to save lives,” Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said of the board members in a news release.
FirstNet also awarded grants of as much as $14 million to pay the costs of moving eight public safety systems from Band 14 (758-769/788-799 MHz), the band the authority is using to build its network (see 1512100019). Last year, the FCC sought comment on the issue (see 1511050060).
In March, FirstNet released its "Band 14 Program Federal Funding Opportunity" notice. Applicants for funds were then vetted by “independent peer reviewers with subject matter expertise who verified whether each applicant provided a technically feasible and viable solution to relocate its communications systems from the Band 14 spectrum,” FirstNet said in a Thursday news release.
“Public safety’s needs are our top priority, and we are pleased to be working hand-in-hand with these Band 14 public safety incumbents,” said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. “The awarding of these grants will help to ensure a smooth transition for these entities while at the same time making sure the spectrum is free and clear for the deployment of public safety’s nationwide wireless broadband network.”
FirstNet awarded $14 million to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, $7.3 million to Virginia State Police, $3.8 million to the Arkansas State Police and $1.6 million to the Massachusetts State Police. The Department of Defense, Honolulu County; the Marshall, Michigan, Police Department; the Stamford, Connecticut, Fire Department; and the Post Falls, Idaho, Police Department each got less than $45,000.
FirstNet earlier set a July 31 deadline for the systems to clear the band. The network said Thursday the agencies have a year to “complete their project plans and relocate their existing radios and systems.” The agencies will mostly have to reprogram, retune and reconfigure equipment to make their exits, the authority said.