The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) filed an application with the FCC to renew the license for its 758 – 769/788 – 799 MHz, or Band 14, spectrum.

The act that created the FirstNet Authority required the FCC to grant the authority a 10-year license for the spectrum. The FCC granted that license on November 15, 2012. The act directed the FirstNet Authority to submit a license renewal application on or before the license expires. The act also authorized the FCC to grant a license for up to another 10 years if it determines that the FirstNet Authority has met the duties and obligations set forth in the act.

The FirstNet Authority filed its application for renewal on August 22. In the application, the FirstNet Authority said it was tasked with setting up a nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) by performing a variety of tasks including developing a strategy for making the network self-sustainable; conducting outreach and consulting with states, territories, tribal jurisdictions and public safety; issuing a request for proposals (RFP); signing a contract with a commercial partner to build, operate and maintain the network; overseeing the release of network plans and then overseeing the build, operation and ongoing improvement of the network.

“As demonstrated in this renewal application, the FirstNet Authority has completed all these tasks, as well as complied with its other duties and obligations under the act,” the FirstNet Authority’s filing said. “With the NPSBN operating nationwide today, first responders and the entire public-safety community now have the public-safety broadband network that they fought so hard to obtain.”

The FirstNet Authority said that renewal of the Band 14 license would be in the public interest because the NPSBN is now operational and helping first responders save lives and make the public safer every day.

“This nationwide public-safety broadband network, and more broadly the one-of-a- kind FirstNet program, are foundational to the commission’s purpose ‘to make available . . . adequate facilities . . . for the purpose of promoting safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communications . . ..’” the filing said. “Simply put, a nationwide network for public safety to facilitate the protection of life and property is the very definition of serving the public interest.”

The FCC said that upon an initial review, the filing was acceptable for filing. The FCC also said that any interested parties may file comments on the renewal application. The deadline for those filings are September 22.

Find more information and the full application for renewal here.

Would you like to comment on this story? Find our comments system below.