First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), an independent authority within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in the U.S., announced on May 31 that at least one team had submitted a proposal to develop Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) PPP project.

Few days later, the team Rivada Mercury led by Rivada Networks announced its bid for the project. The rest of the consortium is composed of Harris Corporation, Ericsson, Nokia, Intel Security, Fujitsu Network Communications and Black & Veatch. 

As we published in January, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) launched a request for proposals (RFP) seeking potential developers for the telecommunications project.

The selected party will have to develop and operate a broadband system on 20 megahertz (MHz) of spectrum in the 700 MHz band that is licensed to FirstNet during a 25 year concession period. It will be responsible for marketing, product management, sales and distribution, customer care, and network deployment and evolution.

The Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) PPP project will be implemented to be used by first responders and other public safety personnel to communicate during disasters and emergencies.