tech
January 24, 2026
Congress must prioritize reliability in FirstNet reauthorization
When it comes to public safety, resiliency is paramount in communications, particularly in a time of crisis. In the coming year, Congress has an opportunity to fix a program intended to help first responders communicate more efficiently in emergencies, but in critical moments, it has fallen short.
TL;DR
- FirstNet, created in 2012 with a 2027 sunset, needs reauthorization to adapt to technological changes and improve public safety communications.
- The current model, with AT&T solely owning and operating the FirstNet network, creates a single point of failure, risking network collapse during emergencies.
- Inspector general reports have documented instances where FirstNet failed to provide adequate services during critical events, such as the Maui wildfires and the Nashville bombing.
- Principles of resilience and redundancy, applied in other industries like supply chain management, should guide the FirstNet reauthorization.
- The article suggests Congress should explore a multi-provider ecosystem to ensure a more reliable and resilient network for first responders.
- Expanding competition and empowering interoperability across various public safety networks are recommended changes.
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