Bush, O'Malley Make Pitch for Opting Out of FirstNet, at CCA
Former Govs. Jeb Bush, R-Fla, and Martin O’Malley, D-Md., told Competitive Carriers Association members Thursday states need a choice on public safety and some may opt out of FirstNet. Bush and O’Malley are on the Rivada board and the company…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
has made an all-out push to get some states to use its offering instead of that of FirstNet and lead partner AT&T. “Assume a state opts out. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they will stay opted out, but it gives a state a chance to ask the questions that I’m sure many people in this audience are asking,” Bush said. There has been no accountability on FirstNet, he said. “This has been hidden from congressional oversight and it has been hidden from the people who really matter, the first responders in all our communities,” he said. “That’s where you get a really dynamic discussion.” Bush prefers state initiatives to a big federal one: “I would trust governors of either party.” CCA President Steve Berry said whether to join FirstNet is a huge question for states. “It’s a 25-year decision,” he said. Berry noted that 25 years ago, George H.W. Bush was president and the FCC licensed two wireless carriers per area. The “smarter” governors sought alternative proposals, O’Malley said. “It’s unfortunate that some feel the need to resort to name-calling instead of having a substantive conversation on the communications needs of our nation's first responders,” a FirstNet spokesman said. “FirstNet, however," he said, "remains focused on public safety.” AT&T didn’t comment.