CONCORD, NH – NH Gov. Chris Sununu announced Thursday that he has decided to join the national First Responder Network Authority, reversing an earlier decision to opt out of the national network and build an independent state-wide system with an alternative provider.
On Dec. 28 Sununu announced officially accepted the First Responder Network Authority and AT&T plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state’s public safety community. FirstNet will bring advanced technologies that will help New Hampshire’s first responders save lives and protect communities.
“Governor Sununu made the right call today,” said Bill McQuillen, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire. “By joining states of all types opting into the AT&T partnership for FirstNet, New Hampshire made the prudent choice on behalf of taxpayers and its hardworking firefighters and emergency personnel. For a safer New Hampshire, we applaud today’s news.”
The announcement was a reversal of an October decision by Sununu to opt out of the national network – and as of Dec. 28, New Hampshire was the only state still poised to reject the plan.
On Thursday, Sununu issued the following statement about the decision to adopt FirstNet:
“Over the past two years the state of New Hampshire has led the country during the FirstNet process in evaluating the technical feasibility and risk management aspects of the country’s new national public safety communication system. New Hampshire was given two options: to ‘opt-in’ and choose the national contractor AT&T’s plan or ‘opt-out’ and go with an alternative plan proposed by Rivada. Following our decision to opt-out and go with the Rivada plan that provides better coverage, more system control and an opportunity to share in the revenue streams of the business, we proceeded to have extensive discussions with other Governors across the country to help them understand the benefits of such a system. Many of these states had previously expressed serious interest in pursuing an independent opt-out path. While we were successful in working with First Net to remove the unreasonable fees and penalties, the decision deadline of December 28th approached too quickly for these other states to feel confident in an opt-out decision. As a result, it now appears likely that no other states will opt-out. While Rivada’s plan remains the better option for New Hampshire, I have determined that the additional risk associated with being the only state to opt-out creates too high a barrier for New Hampshire to continue down the opt-out path alone.
Through this entire process New Hampshire has been able to maintain strategic leverage and ensure that the alternative AT&T proposal was one of the best in the country. By moving to opt-in today, New Hampshire will retain AT&T’s commitment to build 48 new tower sites across the state. These new sites will lead to a top quality public safety network for our first responders and enhanced coverage for all of our citizens. I look forward to working with AT&T as they begin the build out and deployment of their New Hampshire plan, and I pledge to continue our efforts to ensure that FirstNet remains responsive to the public safety needs of every state.”
AT&T, in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, will build, operate and maintain a secure wireless broadband communications network for New Hampshire’s public safety community at no cost to the state. The FirstNet network will drive innovation and create an entire system of modernized devices, apps and tools for first responders.
“We are pleased that New Hampshire will join FirstNet,” said First Responder Network Authority CEO Mike Poth. “Our goal has and will always be to bring each state and territory the best and most sustainable network – a solution designed for public safety, by public safety delivered by a proven partner. We look forward to delivering on the promise of the network to help first responders protect and serve the urban and especially the rural communities across the Granite State.”
NH Safety Commissioner John Barthelmes was critical of the federal government for the push toward FirstNet.
“It is unfortunate that the federal government did not provide states with sufficient clarity in time for most states to adequately evaluate their options,” said Commissioner Barthelmes. “Because New Hampshire started early and conducted a thorough evaluation of both paths, we were presented with a strong opt-out plan that strengthened the state’s negotiating position.”
State Interoperability Coordinator John Stevens echoed Barthelmes disdain for the federal regulatory process, but ultimately endorsed the AT&T plan as well.
“I am immensely proud of the extraordinary efforts of the SIEC and our entire state team throughout this process,” Stevens said. “Together we conducted the nation’s most thorough state level review of available FirstNet options, negotiated hard on behalf of the State and its first responders, and ultimately obtained one of the best opt-in plan proposals of any state in the country. While we are disappointed that the regulatory and financial hurdles for opt-out ultimately proved too high, we are pleased that the State’s vigorous pursuit of the opt-out path left us in a stronger position than any other state in the country.”
FirstNet will transform the way New Hampshire’s fire, police, EMS and other public safety personnel communicate and share information. Specifically, it will:
- Connect first responder subscribers to the critical information they need in a highly secure manner when handling day-to-day operations, responding to emergencies and supporting large events like the NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Laconia Motorcycle Week.
- Create an efficient communications experience for public safety personnel in agencies and jurisdictions across the state during natural disasters like severe winter storms, flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes.
- Enhance network coverage across New Hampshire’s diverse landscape, including the North Country. AT&T’s FirstNet build will result in a network that covers 99% of the Granite State’spopulation and 96% of the state’s geography, benefitting first responders and residents.
- Provide first responders with access to dedicated network assets that can be deployed for additional coverage and support when needed.
- Drive infrastructure investments and create jobs across the state.
- Usher in a new wave of dependable innovations for first responders. This will create an ever-evolving set of life-saving tools for public safety, including public safety apps, specialized devices and Internet of Things technologies. It also carries the potential for future integration with NextGen 911 networks and Smart Cities’ infrastructure.
The First Responder Network Authority and AT&T designed New Hampshire’s network solution with direct input from the state and its public safety community. This helped to address the state’s unique communications needs, which include:
- Expanding rural coverage across the state, including the North County, Monadnock Region and other rural areas.
- Giving public safety agencies local control of their prioritized communications on the network.
- Making Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solutions available to support New Hampshire’s large contingent of volunteer responders.
The decision enables the First Responder Network Authority and AT&T to begin creating an entirely new wireless ecosystem for public safety communications. New Hampshire’s first responder subscribers will have immediate and dedicated access to the information they need with quality of service, priority and preemption for voice and data across the FirstNet network, when and where they need it – 24/7/365.
For more information on FirstNet, please go to FirstNet.gov/mediakit and att.com/FirstResponderNews. For more about the value FirstNet will bring to public safety, please go to FirstNet.com.
*About The First Responder Network Authority
The First Responder Network Authority is an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Chartered in 2012, its mission is to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of the nationwide, broadband network that equips first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities. Learn more at FirstNet.gov/mediakit and follow the First Responder Network Authority (@FirstNetGov) on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
**About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, business, mobile and high speed internet services. We have the nation’s largest and most reliable network*** and the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider. We’re one of the world’s largest providers of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. Nearly 3.5 million companies, from small to large businesses around the globe, turn to AT&T for our highly secure smart solutions.
AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at facebook.com/att and on YouTube at youtube.com/att.
© 2017 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
***Coverage not avail. everywhere. Based on overall coverage in U.S. licensed/roaming areas. Reliability based on voice and data performance from independent 3rd party data.
