What Happens If a State Decides to Opt Out of FirstNet Plans from AT&T?

AT&T earlier in 2017 was awarded a contract to build a nationwide public safety network by FirstNet, the organization put in charge of that network by the US government. But as a FirstNet spokesperson explained, individual states must decide whether to opt in or opt out of FirstNet plans submitted by AT&T. “In an ‘opt out’ scenario, the state assumes all responsibility for deploying, operating and maintaining the radio access network component of the nationwide public safety broadband network in the state in accordance with FirstNet’s network policies, including requirements to interoperate with the FirstNet/AT&T core network,” the spokesperson said. “This ensures the nationwide network remains interoperable for all public safety users.”

As of Sept 1, 20 states or territories had chosen to have AT&T build and operate their public safety networks and no states had opted out of the AT&T plan. As part of its FirstNet contract, AT&T was awarded spectrum in the 700 MHz band, known as Band 14, for use on a priority basis by public safety. As the FirstNet spokesperson explained, however, if a state were to opt out (and its alternative plan was approved by the FCC), the state would enter into a spectrum capacity lease with FirstNet in order to use the Band 14 spectrum.