The final four states that had not announced an opt-in or opt-out decision opted in to their First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) state plans on the final day to make a decision. New Hampshire reversed course and opted in as well.

A Vermont judge affirmed Dec. 20 that the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in granting motions for dismissal and summary judgment filed by the U.S. government.

Three new First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) opt-ins were announced — Washington, D.C. and the states of Washington and Oregon.

Rivada Networks released a statement urging all governors to reconsider opting out in light of the less stringent requirements and “very management risks” in new spectrum management lease agreements (SMLAs) distributed to some states by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) earlier this week. The company also sent a letter to National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Assistant Secretary David Redl asking him to restart the 90-day shot clock for governors’ decisions.

Four more states announced plans to accept the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and AT&T state plans for public-safety broadband networks in their states. The deadline to opt out of the FirstNet state plans is Dec. 28.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo accepted the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) AT&T state plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state’s public-safety community.

Nine days before the opt-out deadline of Dec. 28, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) clarified and made changes to its spectrum manager lease agreement (SMLA), which opt-out states must sign to gain access to band 14 spectrum.

A Verizon executive affirmed the company’s commitment to public safety and said the carrier is still actively working with some states on potential opt-out scenarios to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper announced his decision to accept the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and AT&T plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state’s public-safety community.

Illinois announced that it accepted the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) state plan at a press conference Dec. 18. State officials signed a letter of intent with AT&T to move forward with a statewide public-safety Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.