A while ago I wrote about a webinar I watched on FirstNet. You may remember…

The FirstNet plan is to build a broadband network for police, firefighters, emergency medical service professionals, and other public safety officials. FirstNet is really just getting going – but there are some plans. First plan is for FirstNet to work with state, local and tribal governments. A goal is to create an interoperable, cohesive, countrywide network. That being said, states can opt-out of FirstNet. Apparently the plan (and I’m gleaning this from the webcast) is for FirstNet to come to the states with an assessment of what the state has and what they need. And RFP will be created from these assessments.

A Minnesota Public Safety Broadband Wireless Data Network Requirements Study has recently been released…

This comprehensive study was conducted through 2010-2012 to assess the needs of public safety wireless broadband in Minnesota. It is available in five sections, which each focus on a different interest area in public safety broadband. This study will form the foundation of Minnesota public safety broadband planning efforts and our interaction with national entities such as Firstnet.

I thought it might be helpful to share the recommendations from the report…

1. Establish a body under the Statewide Radio Board to officially sanction public safety broadband planning activities and to represent the State before the FCC, NTIA, Firstnet, and standards bodies including 3GPP.
2. Develop a Minnesota Public Safety Wireless Broadband Plan based upon its existing planning activities and current research.
3. Develop applications and data interoperability standards, including standardized SDKs, APIs, and network interfaces as well as media codecs, signaling formats, and container formats.
4. Execute formal MOUs with potential partners for the public safety broadband network to clearly identify all feasible avenues for alternative financial models for both construction and maintenance of the network.
5. Expand public safety broadband planning on a regional basis to ensure interoperability with adjacent states and the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario.
6. Work actively in larger planning and standards-setting with organizations including the FCC Technical Advisory Board, PSCR, NPSTC, 3GPP, and Firstnet to support development of national standards and a national network model that fully support the needs of the state of Minnesota.
7. Continue requirements research and planning efforts including expansion of its existing financial models, network design, network requirements, and user needs.
8. In the near term, construct a small public safety wireless broadband pilot network to identify transition and implementation issues specific to Minnesota, collect live user data, and serve as test-bed for innovative end-user applications.
9. In the long term, facilitate, through whichever means best meet the needs of our public safety community, integration into the national safety broadband network that introduces operational and technological efficiencies and enhances the performance of public safety services in the state of Minnesota to maximize the protection of human health, property, and safety.